This week, the Senate began consideration of the FY2007 defense authorization bill (S. 2766). The House approved its version of the bill (H.R. 5122) on May 11 (see The Source, 5/12/06).
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair John Warner (R-VA) stated, “With our Armed Forces deployed in distant battlefields and countless others standing watch at home, we are committed to providing the necessary resources and authorities for each of them and their families. Accordingly, this bill provides $467.7 billion overall in budget authority for fiscal year 2007–that is an enormous sum of money–an increase of $26.2 billion or 4.1 percent in real terms over the amount authorized by Congress for fiscal year 2006; additionally, $50 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal year 2007 for activities in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere in the global war on terrorism.”
Ranking Member Carl Levin (D-MI) noted, “This bill contains many important provisions that will improve the quality of life of our men and women in uniform. It will provide needed support and assistance to our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world, and make the investments that we need to meet the challenges of the 21st century. First and foremost, the bill before us continues the increases in compensation and in quality of life that our service men and women and their families deserve as they face the hardships that are imposed by continuing military operations.”
Selected provisions of the bill relating to women and their families are detailed under committee coverage (see The Source, 5/5/06). While a number of amendments were considered this week, none focused on issues specific to women and families.
Report Language
The Senate Armed Services Committee report accompanying S. 2766 includes language detailing a number of programs affecting women and their families. Although report language is not binding, federal agencies give careful consideration to such language as it indicates programs or initiatives that are particularly important for appropriators.
S. 2766 would provide improved cancer screening procedures for cervical and breast cancer. Report language reflects the committee’s concern “that the current statutory limitation concerning pap smears and mammograms…is a barrier to access to newly developed and more effective screening techniques.”
Under the bill, forensic examinations following sexual assault and domestic violence would be covered by TRICARE, the military health care system. The report states, “Although such examinations may be compensated by a State’s Victim Compensation Funds, practices vary widely within and among states. The committee believes that a consistent policy of payment for such examinations is an appropriate improvement to the TRICARE program.”
S. 2766 would require the Department of Defense to provide military academy sexual assault assessments and reports biennially instead of annually. The bill also would specify the focus of academy policy and assessment as “sexual harassment and sexual violence,” and would clarify that the policy is aimed at cadets and midshipmen.
In addition to a $10 million authorization for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) pilot projects, the measure would direct the secretary of Defense to stipulate requirements for health and mental health assessments from servicemembers returning from deployment. The secretary also would be directed to conduct a report on the Mental Health Self-Assessment Program, which has proved beneficial in identifying PTSD symptoms. Report language states, “A recent General Accountability Office study on post-deployment mental health care found that 80 percent of service members who were at risk for PTSD based on answers to post-deployment mental health questions were never referred for additional care. Of those that were referred, the Department could not document that care was actually received.” The report also notes that the Department of Defense has not established the Department of Defense Task Force as required by the FY2006 defense authorization (P.L. 109-163). The task force “was intended to be instrumental in the initiation of a broad range of mental health efforts for military members and their families,” including a pilot project that “would employ Internet-based tools for diagnosis, treatment, and educational assistance to families on PTSD and other combat-related stress disorders.”
S. 2766 would prohibit any increase in TRICARE Prime enrollment fees during FY2007. According to the report, the committee “concurs that reform is needed in order to sustain the highest quality health care benefits for all members of the armed forces and their families, and for retired members and their families,” but expresses concern “that the President’s budget request for fiscal year 2007 was reduced by $735 million…without prior consultation with Congress.” The committee cautions that “more time is needed to examine both the factual basis and the potential for savings assumed by proposed increases in enrollment fees for retirees under TRICARE Prime, increases in deductible amounts for TRICARE Standard, and a potential annual inflation index for future financial stability.” Concerning the Comptroller General audit called for in the bill, the report notes, “The committee believes that an independent audit of the financial basis and effect of any proposed increase in TRICARE premiums or deductibles is necessary prior to proceeding with further consideration of future benefit changes.”
To streamline enrollment and improve outreach, S. 2766 would direct the secretary of defense to create a uniform system of TRICARE enrollment by October 1, 2007. Report language states, “The provision would authorize the Secretary to collect a one-time administrative fee not to exceed $25 for individuals and $40 for families, unless waived, as a condition for certain beneficiaries to receive military health care services under TRICARE standard. The provision would require the Secretary to reach out to covered beneficiaries through health risk assessments, improved communication, and surveys. The committee believes that a modern health care system must have the capability to reach out to its users in order to become more efficient, to improve customer service, and to identify persons whose complex medical conditions will benefit from improved care management.”
The measure would authorize $1.5 million for a three-year pilot program to provide enhanced education for young children, as well as increased support for parents of pre-school children. The committee report states, “The provision would require the utilization of models designed to identify specific risk factors for children related to military life, and maximize the educational readiness of young children who experience the rigors of military life… The committee believes that high quality services for children are an essential factor in military quality of life, and encourages the Department of Defense to utilize organizations such as Parents as Teachers, which has broad experience through its Heroes at Home program in enhancing child development and school achievement through parent education involving military families.” The report also notes that “outreach is needed to families of National Guard and Reserve components who have been mobilized in support of the global war on terrorism” and it commends the Our Military Kids program, which “has gained valuable experience in working with local community resources to provide enrichment opportunities for children of Guard and Reserve families.”
