The Department of Defense (DOD) maintains our Military Health System (MHS) which provides healthcare services to 9.4 million active and retired military personnel. This system is completely separate from our Veterans Administration. The primary objective of the MHS is to maintain the health of servicemembers so that they can carry out their military missions. However, much like the overcrowded VA, our Military Health facilities cannot accommodate the demand for care by all active duty service people, their dependents and retirees (many of whom are not eligible for VA services). Therefore, the DOD offers an insurance plan called the TRICARE system for those who cannot get care at military health hospitals or clinics. TRICARE contracts civilian healthcare providers to treat active-duty service members, retirees and their families. TRICARE provides these servicemembers with government-subsidized private medical and dental care as well as telemental health services. Telemental therapy is where a therapist or counselor provides psychological counseling and support over the internet through email, video conferencing, online chat, or a phone call. However, there are often long wait times for TRICARE services.

Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.4994 - TRICARE PAR Study Act (116th Congress 20019-2020)
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL)

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