Overview
Title
To amend title 10, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Defense to include certain tests as part of the periodic health assessments provided to members of the Armed Forces.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to make sure that soldiers get special check-ups every year to help keep them healthy, like running tests on their heart and blood. But some people are worried that these new rules might be very expensive or confusing.
Summary AI
H.R. 1014 proposes an amendment to title 10 of the United States Code that requires the Secretary of Defense to enhance the health assessments for members of the Armed Forces starting in 2026. The bill mandates that the assessments include specific annual tests such as a sports physical, an electrocardiogram, and blood work. Additionally, it requires any other tests legally required or considered appropriate by the Secretary of Defense. The Act may be referred to as the “Specialist Joey Lenz Act of 2025”.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the Specialist Joey Lenz Act of 2025, seeks to amend title 10 of the United States Code. It aims to mandate the inclusion of specific medical tests in the periodic health assessments for members of the U.S. Armed Forces starting in 2026. These assessments will include annual evaluations such as a sports physical, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and comprehensive blood work. Additionally, the bill grants the Secretary of Defense the authority to include other tests as deemed appropriate.
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill presents several noteworthy issues that could affect its implementation and outcomes:
Undefined Assessment Frequency: The term "periodic health assessments" lacks a clear definition in terms of frequency and scope, which could lead to inconsistent application across different military branches.
Potential for Increased Costs: The requirement for comprehensive annual health assessments could significantly increase the Department of Defense's healthcare expenditures without a clear demonstration of the necessity or benefit of such assessments.
Lack of Clear Criteria for Additional Tests: The provision for additional tests, like thyroid and heart function tests, includes the term "if necessary" without defined criteria, which may result in inconsistent administration and potential over-testing.
Broad Discretion Granted to the Secretary of Defense: The bill gives the Secretary of Defense broad discretion to determine appropriate tests, possibly leading to unchecked increases in testing scope and associated costs.
Complex Cross-Referencing: The references to specific sections of existing laws like the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 may require those applying the law to engage in complex cross-referencing, complicating its interpretation and execution.
Favored Testing Methods: The specification of particular tests could inadvertently favor certain medical providers or equipment manufacturers, which may not align with competitive or performance-based specifications.
Impact on the Public Broadly
If passed, the bill could have broad implications for military personnel by potentially improving early diagnosis and management of health issues, thereby enhancing readiness and overall health. On the other hand, the ambiguous language and lack of precise criteria could lead to inefficiencies in healthcare delivery within the military, resulting in increased costs that might affect overall defense allocations.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Military Personnel: The bill could offer increased health monitoring and early detection of medical conditions, contributing to the general well-being and operational effectiveness of service members. However, the lack of clarity in the "if necessary" provisions may lead to inconsistent healthcare experiences.
Department of Defense: The increased range of required tests and evaluations could strain the Department of Defense's healthcare infrastructure, necessitating adjustments in budgeting and resource allocation. This could lead to increased operational costs and necessitate additional logistics for implementation.
Healthcare Providers and Equipment Manufacturers: Certain healthcare providers and equipment manufacturers might benefit from increased demand for specific tests. However, without competitive or performance-based specifications, some providers might be unfairly favored, leading to questions about fairness and the optimal use of resources.
In summary, while the Specialist Joey Lenz Act of 2025 aims to enhance health assessments for military personnel, careful consideration is needed to address the bill's ambiguities and potential financial implications to ensure effective and equitable implementation.
Issues
The requirement for an annual comprehensive set of health assessments, including sports physicals, electrocardiograms, and extensive blood work, might lead to substantial increases in healthcare expenditure for the Department of Defense without clear demonstration of necessity or benefit. This concern is particularly relevant within § 1074p(1).
The term 'periodic health assessments' is not explicitly defined, which may lead to ambiguity regarding the frequency and scope of these assessments, as noted in Section 2.
The inclusion of specific tests such as thyroid stimulating hormone test and brain natriuretic peptide test 'if necessary' lacks clear criteria on how necessity is determined, potentially leading to inconsistent application and unnecessary testing within § 1074p(1)(C)(ii).
The phrase 'if necessary' regarding additional tests like the thyroid stimulating hormone test and brain natriuretic peptide test leaves room for interpretative variability, which may cause inconsistent implementation as noted in Section 2.
The inclusion of specific tests such as sports physicals, electrocardiograms, and comprehensive metabolic panels may favor certain medical providers or manufacturers of particular medical equipment if there aren't competitive or performance-based specifications provided, which is highlighted in Section 2 and § 1074p(1).
The phrase 'any other test or evaluation determined appropriate by the Secretary' grants broad discretion, which could result in unchecked increase in testing scope and costs without clear oversight or accountability mechanisms, particularly in § 1074p(3).
Reference to evaluations and tests required by specific sections of previous laws (e.g., section 704 and 707 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020) may require excessive cross-referencing and detangle, complicating understanding and implementation of the provision as indicated in § 1074p(2).
Section references to other laws and acts (e.g., National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020) may require additional cross-referencing, potentially complicating understanding for those unfamiliar with these specific laws, as highlighted in Section 2.
It is not clear what criteria the Secretary should use to determine whether additional tests or evaluations are 'appropriate', which could lead to a lack of consistency in assessing members of the armed forces, as noted in Section 2.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill gives it a short title, naming it the "Specialist Joey Lenz Act of 2025."
2. Requirements for periodic health assessments Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The new section requires that starting in 2026, all members of the armed forces must undergo annual health assessments that include a sports physical, an electrocardiogram, and specific blood tests. Additionally, they must complete any other legally mandated tests or evaluations, as well as any other tests deemed necessary by the Secretary of Defense.
1074p. Periodic health assessments Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In 2026, the Secretary of Defense must ensure that members of the armed forces receive yearly health checks, including a sports physical, an ECG, and blood tests like a comprehensive metabolic panel. Other necessary tests may include thyroid and heart function tests, legal requirements, and any deemed appropriate by the Secretary.