Overview
Title
To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2025 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 8070 is a plan to spend money to help soldiers live better by giving them more money for their homes, making it easier for their families to find jobs and good child care, and fixing places where they live and work. But, some worry it might cost too much and not have clear rules on how to spend the money fairly.
Summary AI
H. R. 8070, titled the "Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act," is a bill introduced to Congress that aims to allocate funds for military activities in 2025 and address various needs of the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy. The bill proposes reforms in pay and housing allowances for military personnel, enhances access to child and healthcare services, and supports military spouses with employment opportunities. It also includes provisions for managing military housing and facilities and aims at improving retention of healthcare providers in military services.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
H.R. 8070, known as the "Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act," proposes to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2025 for military operations of the Department of Defense (DoD), military construction, and defense-related activities of the Department of Energy. The bill aims to prescribe military personnel strengths and addresses various areas such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care, and support for military spouses. Through these provisions, the bill seeks to enhance the living standards and operational readiness of the Armed Forces while also attending to the needs of their families.
Significant Issues
One significant issue is related to TRICARE Prime's waiver of referral requirements for certain health care services in military medical facilities. This provision could lead to overutilization of services without proper oversight, as the criteria for what constitutes "primary and preventive health care services for women" is not clearly defined.
Additionally, the section authorizing the digital facilities management systems in military departments presents financial and logistical challenges. Implementing these systems could be costly and complex, leading to potential wasteful spending.
The bill also proposes large financial allocations, such as the $1.2 billion for basic housing allowances. However, without a clear justification or detailed allocation plan, there is a risk of perceptions of wasteful spending, particularly in addressing housing issues.
The act's expansion of authority to commanding officers to authorize housing allowances could lead to inconsistent applications and possible bias or favoritism, raising concerns about how "inadequate quarters" are defined.
Impact on the Public Broadly
For the public broadly, this bill represents a substantial investment in national defense and the well-being of military personnel. By seeking to address various quality-of-life concerns, including pay adjustments, housing, and healthcare access, the bill could positively affect the morale and retention of military personnel. Improved conditions within the military can enhance operational readiness and national security, indirectly benefiting the public through enhanced defense capabilities.
However, the substantial financial commitments and lack of detailed explanations for some provisions might lead to concern about military spending and resource allocation among citizens, especially those interested in fiscal responsibility.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Military Personnel and Their Families: This group stands to gain the most from the bill. Enhanced pay scales, increased allowances, improved housing conditions, and access to better child care and health services are likely to improve their quality of life and job satisfaction. For military spouses, the proposed career accelerator program and initiatives to ease occupational license portability offer significant employment support.
Department of Defense: While the DoD is directly involved in implementing many of the bill's provisions, it could face challenges related to budget management, logistical execution, and ensuring equitable application of new policies—especially in housing allowance and health care provisions.
Health Care Providers and Child Care Personnel: There could be positive impacts with competitive pay adjustments helping attract and retain qualified workers. However, without an enforcement mechanism, there may be inconsistencies in pay distribution.
Taxpayers and Fiscal Policy Advocates: While the bill's goals are to support military readiness and family welfare, the substantial allocations without detailed financial strategies or justifications could raise concerns about efficient use of taxpayer funds and fiscal stewardship.
Overall, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act seeks to address comprehensive quality-of-life issues for members of the Armed Forces and their families but warrants scrutiny in how its provisions are clearly defined and financially justified.
Financial Assessment
The bill titled "H. R. 8070" addresses a range of financial allocations aimed at enhancing the quality of life for servicemen and women while also supporting military-related infrastructure and activities. The financial elements of this bill demonstrate significant appropriations across multiple sections, with a strong focus on military pay, housing, child care, and support services. Below is an analysis of the financial references and how they align with identified issues.
Military Pay and Housing Appropriations
In Section 104, the bill authorizes $1,200,000,000 to fully fund the basic allowance for housing in fiscal year 2025. This substantial financial commitment underlines the bill's emphasis on housing allowances, a critical component of military personnel benefits. However, there is concern about a lack of detailed justification for these funds and how they will specifically address ongoing housing concerns. Without transparent allocation plans, there may be perceptions of inefficient or unjustified expenditure.
Additionally, Section 105 expands the authority of commanding officers to authorize housing allowances. This could potentially lead to subjective determination and inconsistent application, risking biased allocations and inequities among service members.
Operations and Maintenance Allocations
Section 303 of the bill provides detailed financial allocations for addressing military housing shortages through leasing authorities. It outlines specific appropriations: - $15,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Army - $9,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Navy - $6,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Marine Corps - $15,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Air Force
These appropriations are intended to support strategies to manage shortages in military unaccompanied housing. While these allocations suggest a well-structured approach to housing deficits, the broad language potentially lacks precise criteria or guidelines, posing a risk of excessive or misdirected spending.
Child Care and Youth Program Services Funding
Section 203 mandates the full funding for requests related to child care and youth program services under the Department of Defense. While this commitment promotes supportive services for military families, there are concerns about unchecked and potentially large expenditures. The lack of detailed criteria or definitions for eligible providers could lead to financial mismanagement, necessitating stronger oversight measures.
Competitive Pay for Child Care Personnel
Section 201 establishes competitive pay rates for DoD child care personnel, regulated against local economic conditions. Nonetheless, the absence of robust enforcement mechanisms raises potential issues of inconsistent pay adjustments. This could lead to disparities not reflective of actual localities' economic environments, creating financial inequities among DoD child care personnel.
Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) and Basic Needs Allowance
Sections 106 and 103 address the cost-of-living and basic needs allowances for service members by evaluating and potentially increasing rates. In Section 103, the basic needs allowance increases from 150 percent to 200 percent. This raises budget sustainability concerns as the bill does not clarify the funding strategy or distribution fairness. Additionally, the lack of timelines and specific standards for COLA adjustments could lead to vagueness and inconsistent financial management.
Conclusion
The bill "H. R. 8070" exemplifies substantial financial commitments aimed at improving military life quality. However, several issues identified highlight concerns about transparency, criteria for allocations, enforcement, and potential for bias in distribution. To maximize the benefits of these appropriations while ensuring responsible spending, clearer guidelines and oversight mechanisms are necessary.
Issues
The waiver of the referral requirement under TRICARE Prime for certain care in a military medical treatment facility in Section 401 could lead to excessive utilization without appropriate oversight or medical justification. Additionally, there is a lack of clarity regarding the definition of 'primary and preventive health care services for women,' leading to potential ambiguity and misuse of resources.
In Section 302, the implementation of digital facilities management systems across military departments poses significant financial and logistical challenges. The potential high costs and complex requirements necessary for tracking and maintaining facilities with a uniform index could lead to wasteful spending and implementation inconsistencies.
The authorization of appropriations for basic allowance for housing in Section 104 includes a significant financial commitment of $1,200,000,000, yet there is no clear justification or explanation on budget impacts and how funds will be allocated to address housing concerns, which could lead to perceptions of wasteful spending.
Section 203's mandate that the Secretary of Defense 'shall fully fund requests' for child care and youth program services could potentially commit large and unchecked expenditures. The lack of a detailed definition of eligible providers and funding criteria raises the risk of excessive spending with inadequate oversight.
Section 105 grants commanding officers expanded authority to authorize basic housing allowances, which could lead to inconsistent application and potential bias or favoritism, as it involves subjective determinations on what constitutes 'inadequate quarters' or an 'impediment to morale, good order, or discipline.'
In Section 106, the report required on the calculation of cost-of-living allowances lacks a timeline for follow-up actions and specific criteria or standards for adjustments, which may lead to ambiguity, inconsistencies, and potential financial mismanagement.
The increase in the basic needs allowance in Section 103 from 150 percent to 200 percent lacks a sufficient explanation or funding strategy, which raises concerns about budget sustainability and fairness distribution among active service members.
Section 201 outlines competitive pay rates for Department of Defense child care personnel based on local economic factors, but lacks an enforcement mechanism, which could result in varied interpretations and uneven pay adjustments that may not accurately reflect local conditions.
In Section 227, there is a lack of specific criteria or guidelines for determining essential Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization projects, potentially leading to wasteful spending on unnecessary or low-priority projects, as well as a lack of accountability and clear definitions on covered military unaccompanied housing.
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 states that the official title of this legislation is the “Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act.”
2. Table of contents Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text outlines various sections of a congressional bill, covering topics like military pay and compensation, child care, military housing, health care access, and support for military spouses. Each section details specific reforms, authorizations, or programs aimed at improving conditions related to these areas for members of the Armed Forces and their families.
101. Reform of rates of monthly basic pay Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section specifies the new monthly pay rates for members of the U.S. uniformed services effective January 1, 2025, detailing pay differences based on rank, years of service, and specific role categories such as commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted members.
Money References
- Effective on January 1, 2025, the rates of monthly basic pay for members of the uniformed services within each pay grade and with years of service computed under section 205 of title 37, United States Code (and subject to adjustment under section 1009 of such title), are as follows: Years of ServiceCommissioned OfficersPay Grade2 or FewerOver 2Over 3Over 4Over 6O–8$12,803.70 $13,223.70$13,501.80 $13,579.20 $13,926.90O–710,638.90 11,133.0011,361.9011,544.0011,872.80O–6 8,067.90 8,863.209,444.909,444.909,481.20O–5 6,725.70 7,576.508,100.908,199.608,527.20O–4 5,803.20 6,717.307,166.407,265.407,681.50O–3 5,102.10 5,783.706,241.806,806.107,132.80O–2 4,408.50 5,020.805,782.805,978.106,100.80O–1 3,826.20 3,982.804,814.704,814.704,814.70 Over 8 Over 10 Over 12 Over 14 Over 16O–8
- $
- $14,641.80$15,192.60$15,351.30$15,825.90O–7 12,198.30 12,574.2012,948.9013,325.4014,506.50 O–69,887.40 9,941.409,941.4010,506.3011,505.00 O–58,722.50 9,153.009,469.809,878.1010,501.80 O–48,127.90 8,684.10 9,116.109,416.709,589.50 O–3 7,490.70 7,721.708,102.108,301.008,301.00 O–2 6,100.80 6,100.806,100.806,100.806,100.80 O–1 4,814.70
- 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70 Over 18Over 20Over 22Over 24Over 26O–10 $0.00 $18,491.70$18,491.70$18,491.70$18,491.70 O–9 0.00 18,096.00 18,357.30 18,491.7018,491.70 O–8 16,512.90 17,145.6017,568.6017,568.6017,568.60 O–7 15,504.30 15,504.3015,504.3015,504.3015,584.10 O–6 12,091.20 12,677.1013,010.7013,348.5014,002.80 O–5 10,799.10 11,093.1011,426.7011,426.7011,426.70 O–4 9,689.10 9,689.109,689.109,689.109,689.10 O–3 8,301.00 8,301.008,301.008,301.008,301.00 O–26,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 O–14,814.704,814.704,814.704,814.704,814.70Over 28Over 30Over 32Over 34Over 36O–10$18,491.70$18,491.70$18,491.70$18,491.70$18,491.70O–918,491.7018,491.7018,491.7018,491.7018,491.70O–8 17,568.60 18,008.4018,008.4018,458.1018,458.10 O–7 15,584.10 15,895.8015,895.8015,895.8015,895.80 O–6 14,002.80 14,282.4014,282.4014,282.4014,282.40 O–5 11,426.70 11,426.70 11,426.70 11,426.70 11,426.70 O–49,689.10 9,689.10 9,689.10 9,689.10 9,689.10 O–38,301.00 8,301.00 8,301.00 8,301.00 8,301.00 O–26,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 O–1 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70 Over 38Over 40O–10$18,491.70 $18,491.70 O–918,491.70 18,491.70 O–818,458.10 18,458.10 O–715,895.80 15,895.80 O–614,282.40 14,282.40 O–511,426.70 11,426.70 O–49,689.10 9,689.10 O–38,301.00 8,301.00 O–26,100.80 6,100.80 O–14,814.70 4,814.70 Commissioned Officers With Over 4 Years of Active Duty Service As An Enlisted Member or Warrant OfficerPay Grade2 or FewerOver 2Over 3Over 4Over 6O–3E$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $6,806.10 $7,132.80 O–2E0.00 0.00 0.00 5,978.10 6,100.80O–1E0.00 0.00 0.00 4,814.705,141.10Over 8Over 10Over 12Over 14 Over 16O–3E$7,490.70 $7,721.70 $8,102.10 $8,423.40 $8,607.90 O–2E6,294.90 6,622.80 6,876.60 7,065.00 7,065.00 O–1E5,331.30 5,525.70 5,716.50 5,978.10 5,978.10 Over 18Over 20Over 22Over 24Over 26O–3E$8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00 O–2E7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00 O–1E 5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10Over 28 Over 30Over
- 34Over 36 O–3E$8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00 O–2E7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00 O–1E5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10 Over 38Over 40O–3E$8,859.00 $8,859.00 O–2E7,065.00 7,065.00 O–1E5,978.10 5,978.10
- Warrant OfficersPay Grade2 or FewerOver 2Over 3Over 4Over 6W–4$5,273.10 $5,671.50 $5,834.40 $5,994.60 $6,270.60 W–3 4,815.60 5,015.705,222.105,289.005,504.40 W–2 4,260.90 4,663.804,787.704,873.205,149.20 W–1 3,739.80 4,143.004,250.704,479.604,749.90 Over 8Over 10Over 12Over 14 Over 16W–4$6,543.60 $6,820.20$7,235.40$7,599.90$7,946.70 W–3
- 5,578.50 5,791.806,001.206,257.406,457.80 W–1 5,148.30 5,334.305,595.305,850.906,052.20 Over 18Over 20Over 22Over 24Over 26W–5$9,375.60 $9,375.60$9,851.10$10,205.70$10,597.20 W–4 8,231.10 8,508.308,914.509,248.709,629.70 W–3 7,513.80 7,814.707,994.708,186.108,447.10 W–2 6,639.00 6,856.206,998.707,111.807,111.80 W–1 6,237.60 6,462.906,462.906,462.906,462.90 Over 28 Over 30Over 32Over
- 34Over 36 W–5$10,597.20 $11,128.20$11,128.20$11,683.50$11,683.50 W–4 9,629.70 9,821.709,821.709,821.709,821.70 W–38,447.10 8,447.10 8,447.10 8,447.10 8,447.10 W–2 7,111.80
- 7,111.80 7,111.80 7,111.80 7,111.80 W–16,462.90 6,462.90 6,462.90 6,462.90 6,462.90 Over 38Over 40W–5$12,269.10 $12,269.10 W–49,821.70 9,821.70 W–38,447.10 8,447.10 W–27,111.80 7,111.80 W–1 6,462.90 6,462.90 Enlisted MembersPay Grade2 or FewerOver 2Over 3Over 4Over 6E–7$3,624.90 $3,956.40$4,108.20$4,308.30$4,465.50 E–6 3,135.60 3,450.603,603.003,750.903,904.80E–5 3,082.20 3,317.103,479.403,638.703,790.80 E–4 3,028.80 3,183.603,356.103,526.203,677.10E–3 2,733.90 2,906.103,082.203,082.203,082.20 E–22,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 E–12,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 Over 8Over 10Over
- Over 16E–9$0.00 $6,370.50$6,514.80$6,696.60$6,910.50 E–85,214.90 5,445.605,588.405,759.405,944.50 E–7 4,734.60 4,886.405,155.205,379.305,532.30 E–6 4,252.50 4,387.804,649.704,729.804,788.00 E–5 3,964.80 4,052.104,076.404,076.404,076.40E–4 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 E–33,082.203,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 E–22,600.102,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 E–12,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 Over 18Over 20Over 22Over 24Over 26E–9$7,127.10 $7,472.10$7,765.20$8,072.70$8,544.00 E–8 6,279.30 6,449.106,737.406,897.307,291.20 E–7 5,694.90 5,757.905,969.706,083.106,515.70 E–64,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40 E–54,076.404,076.404,076.404,076.404,076.40E–43,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 E–33,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 E–22,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 E–12,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 Over 28Over 30Over 32Over 34Over 36E–9$8,544.00 $8,970.30$8,970.30$9,419.40$9,419.40 E–8 7,291.20 7,437.307,437.307,437.307,437.30 E–76,515.70 6,515.70 6,515.70 6,515.70 6,515.70 E–6 4,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40 E–54,076.404,076.404,076.404,076.404,076.40E–4 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 E–3 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 E–22,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 E–12,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 Over 38Over 40E–9$9,891.30 $9,891.30 E–87,437.30 7,437.30 E–76,515.70 6,515.70 E–64,856.40 4,856.40 E–54,076.404,076.40E–4 3,677.10 3,677.10 E–3 3,082.20 3,082.20 E–22,600.10 2,600.10 E–12,319.90 2,319.90 ---
102. Evaluation of the rates of the basic allowance for subsistence Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the Secretary of Defense to report to congressional committees by April 1, 2025, evaluating if the basic allowance for subsistence rates are adequate. The report should determine if the current rates are sufficient, consider various factors like family size, access to healthy food, and local food costs, and include recommendations for any rate improvements.
103. Basic needs allowance for members on active service in the Armed Forces: expansion of eligibility; increase of amount Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill section amends eligibility and amounts for the basic needs allowance of active service members in the Armed Forces by increasing the eligibility threshold from 150 percent to 200 percent, and simplifying the eligibility criteria for increased allowance.
104. Basic allowance for housing: authorization of appropriations Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text authorizes the appropriation of $1.2 billion for fiscal year 2025 to fully fund the basic allowance for housing for members of the uniformed services, as specified under section 403 of title 37, United States Code.
Money References
- For fiscal year 2025, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,200,000,000 for the purpose of fully funding the basic allowance for housing for members of the uniformed services under section 403 of title 37, United States Code.
105. Expansion of authority of a commanding officer to authorize a basic allowance for housing for a member performing initial field or sea duty Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section expands the authority of a commanding officer to approve housing allowances for service members performing initial field or sea duty. It allows such officers to certify that members need to pay for housing due to inadequate quarters and extends housing allowances to members in pay grades below E–6, while considering factors like morale and discipline.
106. Report regarding the calculation of cost-of-living allowances Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report by April 1, 2025, detailing how the cost-of-living allowances for military members, both within and outside the continental United States, are calculated and adjusted. The report must also assess the effectiveness of current surveys and potential inclusion of additional factors such as dependents, costs, and remoteness in the calculation process.
201. Competitive pay for Department of Defense child care personnel Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill amends Section 1792(c) of title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that child care workers at military installations are paid competitive wages similar to those in their local area, with the stipulation that no worker's pay can be less than the Department of Defense's civilian employee minimum rate. The changes will take effect with the first pay period after the bill's enactment, and no current employee's pay will be reduced as a result of this amendment.
202. Parent fees at military child development centers for child care employees Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends United States Code to allow the Department of Defense to offer reduced fees for child care at military centers to employees, providing free attendance for their first child and discounted rates for additional children, while ensuring that families don't receive multiple discounts at the same time.
203. Child care services and youth program services for dependents Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section mandates that, when funds are available, the Secretary of Defense must provide full financial support to approved civilian providers of child care and youth programs related to military dependents. It also clarifies that this requirement does not change the Secretary's ability to choose whether to give this financial support.
204. Briefings on military child development centers Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the Secretary of Defense to give regular updates to Congress about military child development centers, focusing on waiting lists, staff shortages, and center capacity from 2025 to 2030. It also mandates efforts to fix these issues and defines key terms as per U.S law.
301. Budget justification for certain Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization projects Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires each Secretary of a military department to provide a budget justification for projects involving the maintenance, repair, restoration, and modernization of certain military housing facilities. This includes detailing how much money is requested for these projects in the upcoming fiscal year and what was spent in the previous fiscal years, broken down by military department, installation, facility type, and project type.
227. Budget justification for covered military unaccompanied housing Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization projects Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Each year, military departments must include a detailed financial explanation with the President's budget request, showing both what they plan to spend and what they have spent in the past on projects for fixing and improving housing for military members living alone. The explanation should break down costs by military branch, location, type of facility, and number of projects.
302. Digital facilities management systems for military departments Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines the establishment of digital facilities management systems for the military departments, requiring the development of criteria for these systems within 180 days. These systems will track conditions, plan maintenance, and generate reports on military facilities, with implementation required within a year of developing the criteria.
303. Strategy for use of existing leasing authorities to address shortages of covered military unaccompanied housing required Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires each military department's Secretary to develop a plan to use their leasing powers to address shortages or poor conditions of military housing for service members without families. It also specifies the funding authorized for these plans, including sums for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, and defines key terms used in the section.
Money References
- (b) Authorization of appropriations.—The following amounts are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Defense to carry out actions that may be taken pursuant to a strategy required by subsection (a): (1) $15,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Army. (2) $9,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Navy. (3) $6,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Marine Corps.
- (4) $15,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Air Force. (c) Definitions.—In this section: (1) The term “congressional defense committees” has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code.
304. Independent assessment of estimated costs of certain strategies to address shortages of covered military unaccompanied housing Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section mandates that the Secretary of Defense create an agreement with a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) to evaluate the 20-year cost of building and maintaining military housing for single service members versus adjusting policies to allow them to live elsewhere. The FFRDC must submit a report of their findings to the Secretary, who will then pass it, along with their responses, to Congress.
401. TRICARE program: waiver of referral requirement under TRICARE Prime for certain care in a military medical treatment facility Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the United States Code to allow active-duty military members to receive certain types of care—like physical therapy, nutrition, audiology, optometry, podiatry, and women's health services—at military medical facilities without needing a referral under the TRICARE Prime program.
402. Referral of a member of the Armed Forces to a TRICARE provider for urgent behavioral health services Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines that if urgent behavioral health services cannot be provided within three days by a military medical facility, the Secretary of Defense must refer the service member or their family member to a TRICARE provider for those services. It also defines "covered individuals" as active or retired service members and their dependents.
403. Retention of health care providers: surveys; briefing; reports Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill requires the Secretary of each military department to conduct yearly surveys to find out why health care providers stay in or leave the military, provide a briefing on their survey plan to Congress within 90 days of the bill's enactment, and submit annual reports by September 30 starting in 2025. These reports must include demographic data, reasons for staying or leaving, and any trends or legislative suggestions to improve health care provider retention. The requirement for these surveys and reports ends on September 30, 2030.
501. Interstate compacts for portability of occupational licenses of military spouses: permanent authority Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Section 501 gives permanent authority for interstate agreements to help military spouses transfer their occupational licenses when they move states, by removing a specific paragraph in existing law. This change is considered effective as if it was enacted right after a prior defense law in 2020.
502. Permanent Military Spouse Career Accelerator program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Permanent Military Spouse Career Accelerator program mandates the Department of Defense to create a program offering paid job fellowships to military spouses in various industries. This program is set to begin on January 1, 2026, replacing a prior pilot program that will end on the same date.
503. Child care services and youth program services for dependents: period of services for a member with a spouse seeking employment Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section allows military departments to offer child care and youth services for at least 180 days to armed forces members who have a child and a spouse seeking employment. There is no guarantee or priority for receiving these services.