[House Document 105-90]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



105th Congress, 1st Session  - - - - - - - - - -  - House Document 105-90


 
 FY 1998 BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  FROM

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              TRANSMITTING

 AN FY 1998 BUDGET AMENDMENT TO COVER A SHORTFALL IN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
         DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO 31 U.S.C. 1106(b)

 


June 3, 1997.--Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered 
                             to be printed


                                           The White House,
                                          Washington, June 3, 1997.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
    Sir: I ask Congress to consider an FY 1998 budget amendment 
to cover a shortfall in the Department of Defense Health 
Program. The amendment would provide $261 million in additional 
funds to ensure that all beneficiaries will have access to 
quality health care.
    The Defense Health Program provides health care to active 
duty forces and other eligible beneficiaries, and maintains 
military readiness by providing medical support and services to 
the armed forces during military operations. The increased 
appropriation would be used to supplement direct patient care 
in the military treatment facilities and to implement the 
contracts that constitute the Department of Defense's managed 
care network, TRICARE.
    The requested increase in budget authority is offset fully 
by reductions to requests for funds available to other accounts 
within the Department of Defense. These reductions would have 
no impact on defense readiness. FY 1998 outlays would increase 
by $7 million. This increase is consistent with the increased 
outlay amounts assumed in the Bipartisan Budget Agreement for 
the Department of Defense.
    In addition, I ask the Congress to consider a technical 
amendment that would update the Department of the Interior 
General Provisions for the recently revised five-year plan for 
Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing.
    The details of this request are provided in the enclosed 
letter from the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget. I concur with his comments and observations.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.
    Enclosures.




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