Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/2332

 PUBLIC LAW 109–364—OCT. 17, 2006

120 STAT. 2301

(E) A description of an investment strategy to assure the sustainment of the disease and chronic care management programs of the Department of Defense. SEC. 735. ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS OF ASSESSMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TASK FORCE ON MENTAL HEALTH RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH OF MEMBERS WHO WERE DEPLOYED IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

Section 723(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163; 119 Stat. 3348) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ‘‘(4) MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF MEMBERS WHO WERE DEPLOYED IN OIF OR OEF.—As part of the assessment required by paragraph (1) of the efficacy of mental health services provided to members of the Armed Forces by the Department of Defense, the task force shall consider the specific needs with respect to mental health of members who were deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom upon their return from such deployment, including the following: ‘‘(A) An identification of mental health conditions and disorders (including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, suicide attempts, and suicide) occurring among members who have undergone multiple deployments in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. ‘‘(B) An evaluation of the availability to members of assessments under the Mental Health Self-Assessment Program of the Department of Defense to ensure the longterm availability of the diagnostic mechanisms of the assessment to detect mental health conditions that may emerge in such members over time. ‘‘(C) The availability of programs and services under the Mental Health Self-Assessment Program to address the mental health of dependent children of members who were deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. ‘‘(D) Recommendations on mechanisms for improving the mental health services available to members who were deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, including members who have undergone multiple deployments.’’. SEC. 736. ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZED OPTION PERIODS FOR EXTENSION OF CURRENT CONTRACTS UNDER TRICARE.

(a) ADDITIONAL NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED PERIODS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, after consulting with the other administering Secretaries, may extend any contract for the delivery of health care entered into under section 1097 of title 10, United States Code, that is in force on the date of the enactment of this Act by one year, and upon expiration of such extension by one additional year, if the Secretary determines that such extension— (A) is in the best interests of the Department of Defense and covered beneficiaries; (B) is cost effective; and (C) will—

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