12 2 STA T .4506PUBLIC LA W 110 – 41 7—O CT. 14 , 200 8‘ ‘ (B)Amountsav a il a b l ef o r t h e p a y of members of the uniforme d servi c es shall be available for a w ards and incentives under this para g raph with respect to members of the uniformed services . ‘‘( 5 ) T he S ecretary of D efense may include in the studies and demonstration pro j ects conducted under paragraph ( 1 ) studies and demonstration projects to improve the medical and dental readiness of members of reserve components of the armed forces , including the provision of health care services to such members for which they are not otherwise entitled or eligible under this chapter. ‘‘( 6 ) The Secretary of Defense may include in the studies and demonstration projects conducted under paragraph (1) studies and demonstration projects to improve the continuity of health care services for family members of mobili z ed members of the reserve components of the armed forces who are eligible for such services under this chapter, including payment of a stipend for continuation of employer - provided health coverage during e x tended periods of active duty. ’ ’. Subti t leC—Wo u nd edW ar rior M atter sSEC.721 .CE NT E ROF E X CE L LENCE I N P RE V ENTION ,D I AG NOSIS, M ITI - GATION, TREATMENT, AND RE H A B ILITATION OF HEARING LOSS AND A U DITOR Y SYSTEM IN J URIES. (a) INGE NE RAL . — The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense a center of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of hearing loss and auditory system injury to carry out the responsibil- ities specified in subsection (c). (b) P AR T NER SHIP S.—The Secretary shall ensure that the center collaborates to the maximum extent practicable with the Secretary of V eterans Affairs, institutions of higher education, and other appropriate public and private entities (including international enti- ties) to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c). (c) R ESP O NSI B ILITIES.— (1) IN G ENERAL.—The center shall— (A) implement a comprehensive plan and strategy for the Department of Defense, as developed by the Secretary of Defense, for a registry of information for the trac k ing of the diagnosis, surgical intervention or other operative procedure, other treatment, and follow up for each case of hearing loss and auditory system injury incurred by a member of the Armed F orces while serving on active duty
(B) ensure the electronic exchange with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of information obtained through tracking under subparagraph (A); and ( C ) enable the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to access the registry and add information pertaining to additional treatments or surgical procedures and eventual hearing outcomes for veterans who were entered into the registry and subse q uently received treatment through the Veterans H ealth Administration. ( 2 ) DESIGNATION O F REGISTR Y .—The registry under this subsection shall be known as the ‘‘Hearing L oss and Auditory System Injury Registry’’ (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Reg- istry’’). Establi s hmen t .
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