Fully implement the SERVE Act
Recommendation
The Department of Defense (DoD) should fully implement the Supporting Eating Disorders Recovery Through Vital Expansion (SERVE) Act, which allows for inpatient and outpatient treatment for eating disorders under TRICARE for dependants and active military personnel, and use its existing authorities to expand eating disorder treatment coverage to retired military families.[1][2][3]
Background/summary
Rates of eating disorders among military members are increasing, and their families also have higher rates of eating disorders than the civilian population.[2] Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act with language from the SERVE Act, which requires expansion of treatment under TRICARE and provide additional coverage for Veterans and their families.[1][4] This coverage expansion was supposed to take effect on October 1, 2022, but the Department of Defense (DoD) has yet to implement these changes.[3] To ensure military personnel, retired military, and their families have access to eating disorder treatment, the DoD should fully implement the SERVE Act without delay.[1][2[][3]
citations
1. SERVE Act. S. 194 (Shaheen), 118th Congress (2021-2022). Last Accessed July 21, 2023.
2. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Letter to Assistant Secretary Smith and Director LTG Place. 2022. Last Accessed July 21, 2023.
3. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Letter to Assistant Secretary Dr. Martinez-Lopez and Director LTG Crosland. 2023. Last Accessed July 21, 2023.
4. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. S. 1605 (Scott), 117th Congress (2021-2022). Last Accessed July 21, 2023.