To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the authority to provide a wig and treat traction alopecia under the TRICARE program, and for other purposes.

This bill expands primary and preventative health care services for women under TRICARE to include health care services for traction alopecia. The bill also authorizes the provision of a wig for traction alopecia. (Under current law, wigs are only authorized for individuals with alopecia resulting from the treatment of a malignant disease).

Additionally, the bill requires the implementation of regulations regarding grooming standards and training materials to ensure members of the Armed Forces are warned that the prolonged use of tightly gathered hairstyles, dyes, and chemical hair products may cause health issues, such as traction alopecia.

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3617 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3617

   To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the authority to 
 provide a wig and treat traction alopecia under the TRICARE program, 
                        and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 23, 2023

 Mrs. Watson Coleman (for herself, Ms. Pressley, Mrs. McClellan, Mrs. 
 Beatty, Ms. Adams, Ms. Omar, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. 
Meeks, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Veasey, Ms. Plaskett, Ms. Sewell, Mr. 
 Mfume, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mr. Horsford, 
Ms. Waters, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Crockett, and Mr. 
   Neguse) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the authority to 
 provide a wig and treat traction alopecia under the TRICARE program, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE A WIG AND TREAT TRACTION 
              ALOPECIA UNDER THE TRICARE PROGRAM.

    (a) Expansion of Authority To Provide a Wig.--Section 1074c of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``traction 
alopecia or'' before ``alopecia''.
    (b) Treatment of Traction Alopecia.--Section 1074d(b) of such title 
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(9) Traction alopecia.''.
    (c) Regulations.--Not later than September 30, 2024, the Secretary 
concerned shall prescribe regulations regarding grooming standards and 
training materials to ensure that members of the Armed Forces are 
warned that the prolonged use of tightly gathered hairstyles, dyes, and 
chemical hair products may cause health issues, including traction 
alopecia.
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