Sec. 713. Review of military health system modernization study
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The Secretary of Defense may not restructure or realign a military medical treatment facility based on the modernization study until a 90-day period has elapsed following the date on which the Comptroller General of the United States is required to submit to the congressional defense committees the report under subsection (b)(3). The Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the following: During the period from 2006 to 2012, for each military medical treatment facility considered under the modernization study— the average daily inpatient census; the average inpatient capacity; the top five inpatient admission diagnoses; each medical specialty available; the average daily percent of staffing available for each medical specialty; the beneficiary population within the catchment area; the budgeted funding level; whether the facility has a helipad capable of receiving medical evacuation airlift patients arriving on the primary evacuation aircraft platform for the military installation served; a determination of whether the civilian hospital system in which the facility resides is a Federally-designated underserved medical community and the effect on such community from any reduction in staff or functions or downgrade of the facility; if the facility serves a training center— a determination of the risk with respect to high-tempo, live-fire military operations, treating battlefield-like injuries, and the potential for a mass casualty event if the facility is downgraded to a clinic or reduced in personnel or capabilities; and a description of the extent to which the Secretary, in making such determination, consulted with the appropriate training directorate, training and doctrine command, and forces command of each military department; a site assessment by TRICARE to assess the network capabilities of TRICARE providers in the local area; the inpatient mental health availability; and the average annual inpatient care directed to civilian medical facilities.
For each military medical treatment facility considered under the modernization study— the civilian capacity by medical specialty in each catchment area; the distance in miles to the nearest civilian emergency care department; the distance in miles to the closest civilian inpatient hospital, listed by level of care and whether the facility is designated a sole community hospital; the availability of ambulance service on the military installation and the distance in miles to the nearest civilian ambulance service, including the average response time to the military installation; an estimate of the cost to restructure or realign the military medical treatment facility, including with respect to bed closures and civilian personnel reductions; and if the military medical treatment facility is restructured or realigned, an estimate of— the number of civilian personnel reductions, listed by series; the number of local support contracts terminated; and the increased cost of purchased care.
The results of the modernization study with respect to the recommendations of the Secretary to restructure or realign military medical treatment facilities. An assessment of the analysis made by the Secretary to inform decisions regarding the modernization of the military health care system in the modernization study. An assessment of the extent to which the Secretary evaluated in the modernization study the impact on the access of eligible beneficiaries to quality health care, and satisfaction with such care, caused by the following changes proposed in the study:
Changes in military medical treatment facility infrastructure. Changes in staffing levels of professionals. Changes in inpatient, ambulatory surgery, and specialty care capacity and capabilities. An assessment of the extent to which the Secretary evaluated in the modernization study how any reduced inpatient, ambulatory surgery, or specialty care capacity and capabilities at military medical treatment facilities covered by the study would impact timely access to care for eligible beneficiaries at local civilian community hospitals within reasonable driving distances of the catchment areas of such facilities.
An assessment of the extent to which the Secretary consulted in conducting the modernization study with community hospitals in locations covered by the study to determine their capacities for additional inpatient and ambulatory surgery patients and their capabilities to meet additional demands for specialty care services. An assessment of the extent to which the Secretary considered in the modernization study the impact that the change in the structure or alignment of military medical treatment facilities covered by the study would have on timely access by local civilian populations to inpatient, ambulatory surgery, or specialty care services if additional eligible beneficiaries also sought access to such services from the same providers.
An assessment of the impact of the elimination of health care services at military medical treatment facilities covered by the modernization study on civilians employed at such facilities. The Comptroller General of the United States shall review the report under subsection (a)(2). The review under paragraph
(1)shall include the following: An assessment of the methodology used by the Secretary of Defense in conducting the study. An assessment of the adequacy of the data used by the Secretary with respect to such study. Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary submits the report under subsection (a)(2), the Comptroller General shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the review under paragraph (1). In this section, the term modernization study means the Military Health System Modernization Study of the Department of Defense directed by the Resource Management Decision of the Department of Defense numbered MP–D–01.