PUBLIC LAW 105-85 —NOV. 18, 1997 111 STAT. 1809 (1) the significant number of members of the uniformed services and covered beneficiaries under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code (including retired members of the Armed Forces and their dependents), who reside in the areas; and (2) the presence in the areas of sufficient nonmilitary health care provider networks. (b) ALTERNATIVES.— As an alternative to expansion of TRICARE Prime to areas of the United States in which there are few or no nonmilitary health care provider networks, the Secretary shall include in the plan required under subsection (a) an evaluation of the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of providing a member of the Armed Forces on active duty who is stationed in such an area, or whose dependents reside in such an area, with one or both of the following: (1) A monetary stipend to assist the member in obtaining health care services for the member or the member's dependents. (2) A reduction in the cost-sharing requirements applicable to the TRICARE program options otherwise available to the member to match the reduced cost-sharing responsibilities of the managed care option of the TRICARE program. (c) SUBMISSION OF PLAN. —Not later than March 1, 1998, the Secretary shall submit to Congress the plan required under subsection (a). Subtitle C—Uniformed Services Treatment Facilities SEC. 721. IMPLEMENTATION OF DESIGNATED PROVIDER AGREEMENTS FOR UNIFORMED SERVICES TREATMENT FACILITIES. (a) COMMENCEMENT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES UNDER AGREE- MENT. — Subsection (c) of section 722 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 (Public Law 104-201, 10 U.S.C. 1073 note) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B); (2) by inserting "(1)" before "Unless"; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: "(2) The Secretary may modify the effective date established under paragraph (1) for an agreement to permit a transition period of not more than six months between the date on which the agreement is executed by the parties and the date on which the designated provider commences the delivery of health care services under the agreement.". (b) TEMPORARY CONTINUATION OF EXISTING PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS. —Subsection (d) of such section is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: ", including any transitional period provided by the Secretary under paragraph (2) of such subsection". SEC. 722. CONTINUED ACQUISITION OF REDUCED-COST DRUGS. Section 722 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 (Public Law 104-201; 10 U.S.C. 1073 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
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