To prescribe alternative payment mechanisms for the payment of annual enrollment fees for the TRICARE program of the military health care system.

See H.R.1119.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 8, 1997

Directs the Secretary of Defense to permit persons who enroll in the TRICARE program (a managed health care program of the armed forces) to pay their annual enrollment fees on a monthly basis and to establish mechanisms to provide for payment of such fees through: (1) a deduction from military retired or retainer pay; (2) a deduction from monthly social security benefits; and (3) an electronic funds transfer from a checking or savings account. Requires the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct the Social Security deduction mechanism in the same manner as provided for the monthly deduction of Medicare premiums.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Mink, Patsy T. [D-HI-2] · D–HI

Committees

Armed Services Committee

11 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Nov 6, 1997
See H.R.1119.
Apr 21, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Apr 21, 1997
Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
Apr 8, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on National Security.
Apr 8, 1997
Introduced in House
Apr 8, 1997
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Apr 8, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 1119 · National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998

Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1246 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1246, 105th Congress: To prescribe alternative payment mechanisms for the payment of annual enrollment fees for the TRICARE program of the military health care system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1246

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-04-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1246/BILLS-105hr1246ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:12Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1246 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1246 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1246, 105th Congress: To prescribe alternative payment mechanisms for the payment of annual enrollment fees for the TRICARE program of the military health care system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1246

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-04-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1246/BILLS-105hr1246ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:12Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1246 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1246 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1246, 105th Congress: To prescribe alternative payment mechanisms for the payment of annual enrollment fees for the TRICARE program of the military health care system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1246

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-04-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1246/BILLS-105hr1246ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:12Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1246 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1246 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1246, 105th Congress: To prescribe alternative payment mechanisms for the payment of annual enrollment fees for the TRICARE program of the military health care system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1246

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-04-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1246/BILLS-105hr1246ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:12Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1246 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.