118 STAT. 1982 PUBLIC LAW 108–375—OCT. 28, 2004 the date of the enactment of this Act, may, for the purpose of paragraph (2) of such subsection, enter into an agreement described in such paragraph not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. TRICARE Standard coverage (under such section 1076d) of a member who enters into such an agreement under this paragraph shall begin on the later of— (i) the date applicable to the member under subsection (b) of such section; or (ii) the date of the agreement. (B) The Secretary of Defense shall take such action as is nec essary to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that members of the reserve components eligible to enter into an agreement as provided in subparagraph (A) actually receive information on the opportunity and procedures for entering into such an agreement together with a clear explanation of the benefits that the members are eligible to receive as a result of entering into such an agreement under section 1076d of title 10, United States Code. SEC. 702. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON THE COST AND FEASI BILITY OF PROVIDING PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE STI PENDS FOR MEMBERS OF THE READY RESERVES. (a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a study on the cost and feasibility of providing a stipend to members of the Ready Reserves to offset the cost of continuing private health insurance coverage for the members’ dependents when the members are on active duty for periods of more than 30 days, with the dependents being ineligible to enroll in the TRICARE program and payment of the stipend ending when the members are no longer on active duty. (b) MATTERS COVERED.—The study shall include the following matters: (1) Recommendation for a benefit amount and cost to the Department of Defense. (2) Potential effects on medical readiness, recruitment, and retention. (3) The extent to which the Reserves and members of their families might participate under the stipend program. (4) Administrative and management considerations for the Department of Defense. (5) Impact of pre existing conditions on continuity of care for dependents. (6) Possible implications for employers. (c) REPORT.—Not later than March 31, 2005, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report containing the results of the study under this section. SEC. 703. PERMANENT EARLIER ELIGIBILITY DATE FOR TRICARE BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF RESERVE COMPONENTS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS. Section 1074(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (3).
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