Sec. 749. Comptroller General study on prenatal and postpartum mental health conditions among members of the Armed Forces and their dependents
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The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on prenatal and postpartum mental health conditions among members of the Armed Forces and dependents of such members. The study required under paragraph
(1)shall include the following: An assessment of the extent to which beneficiaries under the TRICARE program, including members of the Armed Forces and dependents of such members, are diagnosed with prenatal or postpartum mental health conditions, including— prenatal or postpartum depression; prenatal or postpartum anxiety disorder; prenatal or postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder; prenatal or postpartum psychosis; and other relevant mood disorders. A demographic assessment of the population included in the study with respect to race, ethnicity, sex, age, relationship status, military service, military occupation, and rank, where applicable. An assessment of the status of prenatal and postpartum mental health care for beneficiaries under the TRICARE program, including those who seek care at military medical treatment facilities and those who rely on civilian providers. An assessment of the ease or delay for beneficiaries under the TRICARE program in obtaining treatment for prenatal and postpartum mental health conditions, including— an assessment of wait times for mental health treatment at each military medical treatment facility; and a description of the reasons such beneficiaries may cease seeking such treatment. A comparison of the rates of prenatal or postpartum mental health conditions within the military community to such rates in the civilian population, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An assessment of any effects of implicit or explicit bias in prenatal and postpartum mental health care under the TRICARE program, or evidence of racial or socioeconomic barriers to such care. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a), including— recommendations for actions to be taken by the Secretary of Defense to improve prenatal and postpartum mental health among members of the Armed Forces and dependents of such members; and such other recommendations as the Comptroller General determines appropriate. In this section, the terms dependent and TRICARE program have the meanings given those terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.