The Department of Defense announced today that it will implement the “2004 Temporary Reserve Health Benefit Program” for certain eligible Reserve Component sponsors and their family members. The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2004 authorized new health benefits, some permanent and some temporary. The 2004 Temporary Reserve Health Benefit Program includes three temporary Tricare benefit provisions; some are effective as of Nov. 6, 2003, and all expire Dec. 31, 2004. Total expenditures for these new provisions may not exceed the $400 million limit established by Congress for fiscal 2004. Tricare Management Activity...