H.R.1699 - TRICARE OBGYN Treatment and Access without Lags in Care Act; TOTAL Care Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1699, also known as the TOTAL Care Act, directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program within the TRICARE Prime program. This program aims to allow female beneficiaries access to obstetrical and gynecological care without requiring a referral. The pilot program would run for five years, and a report assessing its impact would be submitted to Congress after four years.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be to streamline access to OBGYN care for TRICARE Prime beneficiaries. This could lead to quicker and more convenient healthcare access for women in the military and their families. The pilot program's data will inform future decisions about expanding this access more broadly.
Potential Benefits
- Improved access to specialized healthcare for female TRICARE Prime beneficiaries.
- Reduced wait times and administrative burdens associated with obtaining referrals.
- Potential for earlier detection and treatment of health issues.
- Increased patient satisfaction with the TRICARE system.
- Provides data for future policy decisions regarding healthcare access within the military health system.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in healthcare costs due to increased utilization of OBGYN services.
- Possible strain on OBGYN provider networks within the TRICARE system.
- The pilot program is limited to TRICARE Prime beneficiaries, potentially creating disparities in access compared to other TRICARE plans.
- Administrative challenges in implementing and managing the pilot program.
- The report to Congress may not fully capture all relevant impacts of the program.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve healthcare access for a specific population. Specifically, the Constitution states that the government should "promote the general Welfare". Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States, which can be interpreted to include providing healthcare benefits to military personnel and their families.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).