Wednesday, September 16, 2026Independent tracking of the National Defense Authorization Act

The hub for the National Defense Authorization Act — status, history, and analysis

Title VII: Health Care Provisions

Sec. 753Modifications to pilot program to assist certain members of the Armed Forces and dependents with additional supplemental coverage relating to cancer

TL;DR

Amends title 10, United States Code relating to modifications to pilot program to assist certain members of the armed forces and dependents with additional supplemental coverage relating to cancer.

Statutory text

(a) Agreement. Subsection (b) of section 734 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119—60; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1)—(A)in subparagraph (B), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;(B)by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and(C)by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph:(C)provide no coordination with any other health benefit plan; and.(2)in paragraph (2), by striking a period of not more than three years, and may not be renewed and inserting a period of not less than three years; and (3)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3) Requirements. In entering into an agreement under paragraph (1) with a company, the Secretary—(A)may not select such company to provide coverage in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States in which such company—(i)is not licensed; and(ii)does not meet solvency requirements applicable to such State;(B)shall award the agreement based on the expertise of such company;(C)shall negotiate the terms and conditions of the fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the agreement;(D)shall negotiate the cost of coverage with the company that will cover the participants who elect to enroll in such plan;(E)shall provide a method for verification of the eligibility of applicants and procedures for determination of eligibility; and(F)shall provide a method for payroll deduction of premiums..

(b) Provision of information. Subsection (c) of such section is amended by striking website and inserting website, as determined by the Secretary,.

(c) Preemption. Such section is further amended—(1)by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and(2)by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection:

(f) Preemption. An agreement entered into under this section shall be deemed to be a contract for which the Secretary of Defense has determined to preempt State or local laws pursuant to section 1103 of title 10, United States Code, as administered under section 199.17

(a)

(7) (i) of title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act..