(a) Study
The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Defense Health Agency, in coordination with the Secretary of the Air Force, shall conduct a feasibility study on establishing a military medical treatment facility at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida.
(b) Matters included
The study under subsection (a) shall evaluate the following:
The total eligible beneficiary population who would access a military medical treatment facility at Homestead Air Reserve Base, including with respect to members of the Armed Forces (including the reserve components thereof) and covered beneficiaries stationed at such Base or at a different military installation in the proximity of such Base.
The extent to which reliance by such members and covered beneficiaries on civilian health care providers—
meets medical readiness and deployment training requirements;
supports or degrades military-unique clinical skill sustainment; and
satisfies adequacy standards under the TRICARE network.
Identified gaps between civilian health care access and military operational medical readiness requirements.
A cost comparison of—
a direct care military medical treatment facility model;
a hybrid readiness clinic model; and
continued purchased care reliance.
Opportunities for integration with local civilian health care systems while preserving military-unique readiness competencies.
(c) Report
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate—
the findings of the study under subsection (a);
a recommended course of action;
estimated cost and manpower requirements;
an assessment of medical readiness impacts; and
an analysis of the implications to covered beneficiaries with respect to accessing medical care.
(d) Covered beneficiary defined
In this section, the term covered beneficiary has the meaning given that term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.