§ 1071. Purpose of this chapter

§ 1071. Purpose of this chapter

The purpose of this chapter is to create and maintain high morale in the uniformed services by providing an improved and uniform program of medical and dental care for members and certain former members of those services, and for their dependents.

(Added Pub. L. 85–861, § 1(25)(B), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1445; amended Pub. L. 89–614, § 2(1), Sept. 30, 1966, 80 Stat. 862; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 511(34)(A), (B), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2922.)

The words “and certain former members” are inserted to reflect the fact that many of the persons entitled to retired pay are former members only. The words “and dental” are inserted to reflect the fact that members and, in certain limited situations, dependents are entitled to dental care under sections 1071–1085 of this title.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 1071, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 81, which stated the purpose of former sections 1071 to 1086 of this title, and provided for their construction, was repealed by Pub. L. 85–861, § 36B(5), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1570, as superseded by the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 which was classified to subchapter I–D (§ 1973cc et seq.) of chapter 20 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–410, title II, § 203, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 930.

Amendments

1980—Pub. L. 96–513 substituted “Purpose of this chapter” for “Purpose of sections 1071–1087 of this title” in section catchline, and substituted reference to this chapter for reference to sections 1071–1087 of this title in text.

1966—Pub. L. 89–614 substituted “1087” for “1085” in section catchline and text.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–513 effective Dec. 12, 1980, see section 701(b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 1966 Amendment

Pub. L. 89–614, § 3, Sept. 30, 1966, 80 Stat. 866, provided that: “The amendments made by this Act [see Short Title of 1966 Amendment note below] shall become effective January 1, 1967, except that those amendments relating to outpatient care in civilian facilities for spouses and children of members of the uniformed services who are on active duty for a period of more than 30 days shall become effective on October 1, 1966.”

Short Title of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title XVI, § 1601, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 431, provided that: “This title [enacting sections 1074l, 1216a, and 1554a of this title, amending sections 1074, 1074f, 1074i, 1145, 1201, 1203, 1212, and 1599c of this title and section 6333 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, sections 1074, 1074f, 1074i, 1074l, 1212, and 1554a of this title, and section 6333 of Title 5] may be cited as the ‘Wounded Warrior Act’.”

Short Title of 1987 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title VII, § 701, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1108, provided that: “This title [enacting sections 1103, 2128 to 2130 [now 16201 to 16203], and 6392 of this title, amending sections 533, 591, 1079, 1086, 1251, 2120, 2122, 2123, 2124, 2127, 2172 [now 16302], 3353, 3855, 5600, 8353, and 8855 of this title, section 302 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services, and section 3809 of Title 50, War and National Defense, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1073, 1074, 1079, 1092, 1103, 2121, 2124, 12201, and 16201 of this title, amending provisions set out as notes under sections 1073 and 1101 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as notes under sections 2121 and 2124 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Military Health Care Amendments of 1987’.”

Short Title of 1966 Amendment

Pub. L. 89–614, § 1, Sept. 30, 1966, 80 Stat. 862, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 1086 and 1087 of this title, amending this section and sections 1072 to 1074, 1076 to 1079, 1082, and 1084 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Military Medical Benefits Amendments of 1966’.”

Pilot Program on Wastewater Surveillance System of Department of Defense

Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VII, § 733, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 932, provided that: “(a) Pilot Program Required.—Commencing not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2025], the Secretary of Defense shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall develop and implement a comprehensive wastewater surveillance system at not fewer than four installations of a military department at which the Secretary seeks to identify the prevalence of infectious diseases among members of the Armed Forces at the installation (in this section referred to as the ‘pilot program’). “(b) Technologies and Data System Used.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall ensure the system developed and implemented under subsection (a) is comprised of appropriate technologies and a uniform data system across the Department of Defense. “(c) Duration.—The pilot program shall be carried out during a two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program. “(d) Report.—Not later than 90 days after the termination of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report that includes the following:“(1) A summary of the findings from the wastewater surveillance system under the pilot program. “(2) Recommendations for interventions or policy changes based on trends observed under the pilot program. “(3) An assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot program in enhancing force health protection and readiness.”

Pilot Program To Assist Certain Members of the Armed Forces and Dependents With Additional Supplemental Coverage Relating to Cancer

Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VII, § 734, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 933, provided that: “(a) Establishment.—Not later than September 30, 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a pilot program under which a covered individual may obtain supplemental insurance for noncovered expenses under a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan described in subsection (b)(1) (in this section referred to as the ‘pilot program’). The Secretary shall carry out such program until the date on which the last agreement terminates pursuant to subsection (b)(2). “(b) Agreement.—“(1) In general.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with not fewer than two companies to each offer one or more fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plans that—“(A) meet the requirements for a supplemental insurance plan under section 199.2 of title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, and the exceptions under section 199.8(b)(4) of such title, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2025]; “(B) are provided under a separate policy, certificate, or contract; and “(C) are designed to help participants pay noncovered expenses. “(2) Duration of agreement.—An agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall be for a period of not more than three years, and may not be renewed. “(c) Provision of Information.—The Secretary shall provide information to covered individuals regarding the pilot program by making available on a publicly accessible internet website the following information:“(1) A notice of availability of a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program. “(2) A description of how to enroll in such plan. “(3) A description and explanation of such plan, including the diagnoses, screenings, and treatments covered by the plan. “(4) A description of the costs to the individual through premiums and remittances to a company providing such plan. “(5) A notice that—“(A) the availability of a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program does not affect the health care benefits provided to covered individuals under the TRICARE program; and “(B) covered individuals are not required to purchase such a plan in order to receive health care benefits covered under the TRICARE program. “(d) Enrollment.—“(1) Election.—A covered individual may elect to enroll in a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program. “(2) Verification of eligibility.—The Secretary shall establish procedures to determine the eligibility of applicants seeking to enroll in a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program. “(e) Limitations on Authorization of Appropriations.—None of the amounts authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 or any fiscal year thereafter to carry out the pilot program may be used to subsidize the cost of a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program. “(f) Briefing.—Not later than one year after the date on which the pilot program commences and annually thereafter during the life of the pilot program, the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing regarding the pilot program, including the following:“(1) A description of the insurance products provided through a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program. “(2) The number of covered individuals who enrolled in such a plan. “(3) Feedback and examples of use cases by such individuals. “(4) A determination by the Secretary with respect to whether the pilot program should be made permanent. “(g) Definitions.—In this section:“(1) The term ‘covered individual’ means the following:“(A) A member of the regular component of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force. “(B) A dependent (as defined in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code) of such a member who is enrolled in the TRICARE program. “(2) The term ‘noncovered expense’ means, with respect to a covered individual, any expenses relating to the screening for and diagnosis and treatment of cancer that are not otherwise covered by the health care benefits the individuals [sic] receives under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, or any other benefit provided by the Secretary of Defense. “(3) The term ‘TRICARE program’ has the meaning given that term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.”

Program To Prevent Perinatal Mental Health Conditions in Pregnant and Postpartum Members of the Armed Forces

Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title VII, § 705, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1943, provided that: “(a) Requirement.—The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, shall carry out a program to improve clinical and nonclinical services targeting mental health conditions in pregnant and postpartum members of the Armed Forces and spouses of members during the perinatal period. “(b) Elements.—The Secretary shall ensure that the program under subsection (a) includes the following:“(1) Access to support resources during the perinatal period, including—“(A) identification of symptoms of perinatal mental health conditions, brief intervention by primary care providers, referral to care, and treatment; “(B) targeted nonmedical counseling services through the Department of Defense Military and Family Life Counseling Program of the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy under section 1781 of title 10, United States Code; “(C) existing parenting resiliency programs of the military departments; “(D) adherence to clinical practice guidelines in military medical treatment facilities in support of members of the uniformed services and dependents with a diagnosed mental health condition requiring clinical intervention, including through primary care services and women’s health clinics, in collaboration with behavioral health services; and “(E) prenatal and postnatal support programs at military medical treatment facilities that provide group counseling modeled after best clinical practices, such as the Centering Pregnancy program. “(2) A process for informing pregnant and postpartum members of the Armed Forces and spouses of members of nonmedical and clinical support services during the perinatal period. “(3) A communications strategy to increase awareness of the services available under the program. “(c) Report.—Not later than December 31, 2025, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the program under subsection (a) that includes the following:“(1) A description of the range of activities included in the program and data assessing the effectiveness or shortcomings of such activities. “(2) How resources are allocated for the purpose of establishing and maintaining perinatal support programs at military medical treatment facilities. “(3) Measurements for adherence to evidence-based protocols at military medical treatment facilities with respect to identifying potential mental health issues. “(4) Assessment of current training and credentials required for health care providers providing perinatal services and consideration for further certifications, such as the Perinatal Mental Health Certification. “(5) Feasibility and advisability of adding specialized perinatal mental health support services via a helpline through Military One Source. “(6) Recommendations for administrative or legislative changes to improve the effectiveness of the program. “(d) Perinatal Period Defined.—In this section, the term ‘perinatal period’ means the period beginning with pregnancy through one year following childbirth.”

Establishment of Defense Intrepid Network for Traumatic Brain Injury and Brain Health as Program of Record

Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title VII, § 721, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1951, provided that: “(a) In General.—Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall establish the Defense Intrepid Network for Traumatic Brain Injury and Brain Health (in this section referred to as the ‘Network’) headquartered at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence as a program of record subject to milestone reviews and compliance with the requirements under this section. “(b) Duties.—The duties of the Network are as follows:“(1) To provide clinical care to prevent, diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, symptoms from blast overpressure or blast exposure, and other mental health conditions. “(2) To promote standardization of care among the 10 Intrepid Spirit Centers throughout the continental United States, brain health clinics in Alaska and Germany, and other sites as designated by the Director of the Defense Health Agency as being a part of the long-term brain health strategy of the Department of Defense. “(3) To support and conduct research and education on traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, blast overpressure or blast exposure, and other mental health conditions. “(c) Annual Briefing.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2024], and annually thereafter for a period of five years, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing that shall include, for the year covered by the briefing—“(1) the number of individuals to whom the Network has provided services; “(2) the number of individuals who return to active duty in the Armed Forces after receiving services from the Network, and the stage in their career at which they seek treatment at the Network; “(3) the number of individuals whose families are able to participate in programs provided by the Network; and “(4) the number of individuals on a waitlist for treatment at the Network and the average period those individuals are on the waitlist.”

Brain Health and Trauma Program