(a) Coordination of services
(1) Study and evaluationThe Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study, and evaluate the effectiveness, of coordination of health care services provided to Indians—
(b) Payments for contract health services
(1) In general
The Comptroller General shall conduct a study on the use of health care furnished by health care providers under the contract health services program funded by the Service and operated by the Service, an Indian tribe, or a tribal organization.
(2) AnalysisThe study conducted under paragraph (1) shall include an analysis of—
(A)
the amounts reimbursed under the contract health services program described in paragraph (1) for health care furnished by entities, individual providers, and suppliers, including a comparison of reimbursement for that health care through other public programs and in the private sector;
(B)
barriers to accessing care under such contract health services program, including barriers relating to travel distances, cultural differences, and public and private sector reluctance to furnish care to patients under the program;
(C)
the adequacy of existing Federal funding for health care under the contract health services program;
(3) ReportNot later than 18 months after March 23, 2010, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under paragraph (1), together with recommendations regarding—
(Pub. L. 94–437, title VIII, § 830, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title X, § 10221(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 935.)