Education on newborn screening options for TRICARE beneficiaries

(a) Education requirement The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that covered beneficiaries receiving prenatal care through the military health system are provided educational information regarding newborn screening. (b) Contents The educational information provided under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description of newborn screening and the purpose of such screening in identifying certain congenital and genetic conditions in infants; (2) information regarding conditions recommended by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for newborn screening in infants; (3) notice that newborn screening panels may vary depending on the State or location in which an infant is born; and (4) information describing options for discussing and obtaining supplemental newborn screening for conditions recommended by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for newborn screening in infants that may not be included in the applicable State newborn screening panel. (c) Provision of information The Secretary shall ensure that the educational information described in subsection (a) is made available to covered beneficiaries receiving prenatal care through— (1) military medical treatment facilities; and (2) TRICARE network providers furnishing prenatal care. (d) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the feasibility of ensuring that newborns of covered beneficiaries receive screening for all conditions recommended by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for newborn screening in infants, including conditions not included in the applicable State newborn screening panel. Such report shall include— (1) an assessment of the feasibility of providing such screening through military medical treatment facilities and private sector care under TRICARE; (2) an estimate of the costs associated with providing such screening; (3) an assessment of the administrative and logistical requirements associated with identifying gaps in State newborn screening panels and providing supplemental screening; and (4) options for implementing such screening, including through reimbursement, contracting, or other mechanisms. (e) Covered beneficiary defined In this section, the term covered beneficiary has the meaning given the term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.