I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2703 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 29, 2011 Mr. Larson of Connecticut (for himself and Mr. Rooney) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that members of the uniformed services are entitled to refractive eye surgery.

1.

Provision of refractive eye surgery

(a)

Refractive eye surgery

(1)

In general

Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1074l the following new section:

1074m.

Provision of refractive eye surgery

(a)

In general

Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, members of the uniformed services entitled to medical care under section 1074 of this title shall also be entitled to refractive eye surgery, as medically appropriate. (b)

Private facility

(1)In accordance with section 1074(c) of this title, the Secretary shall ensure that a member of a uniformed service entitled to refractive eye surgery under subsection (a) who is not located near a military medical treatment facility that provides reasonable access to such surgery, as determined by the Secretary, may receive such surgery at a private facility located near the member. (2)In determining under paragraph (1) whether a military medical treatment facility provides reasonable access to refractive eye surgery, the Secretary shall take into account— (A)whether the facility provides such surgery; and (B)if the facility provides such surgery, the waiting period required to receive such surgery. (c)

Refractive eye surgery defined

In this section, the term refractive eye surgery means an appropriate corrective eye surgery, including laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (commonly referred to as LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (commonly referred to as PRK).

. (2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1074l the following new item: 1074m. Provision of refractive eye surgery. . (b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.