To amend title 10, United States Code, relating to payment of mental health counselors under TRICARE.

March 17, 2005

Mr. HAYES introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

To amend title 10, United States Code, relating to payment of mental health counselors under TRICARE.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `TRICARE Mental Health Services Enhancement Act'.

SEC. 2. REIMBURSEMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS UNDER TRICARE.

(a) Reimbursement Under TRICARE- Section 1079(a)(8) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by inserting `or licensed or certified mental health counselors' after `certified marriage and family therapists' both places it appears; and

(2) by inserting `or licensed or certified mental health counselors' after `that the therapists.'

(b) Authority to Provide Mental Health Services in Clinical Trials- Section 1079(a)(13) of such title is amended by inserting `, licensed or certified mental health counselor,' after `certified marriage and family therapist'.

SEC. 3. SERVICES OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS.

(a) Authority to Enter Into Personal Services Contracts- Section 704(c)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 (Public Law 103-337; 108 Stat. 2799; 10 U.S.C. 1091 note) is amended by inserting `mental health counselors,' after `psychologists,'.

(b) Applicability of Licensure Requirement for Health-Care Professionals- Section 1094 (e)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting `mental health counselor,' after `psychologist,'.

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