TRICARE; Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS); Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children Overseas

This interim final rule implements section 674 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000. Section 674 directed the Department of Defense to establish a program to provide supplemental food and nutrition education services to members of the armed forces on duty at stations outside the United States (and its territories and possessions) and to eligible civilians serving with, employed by, or accompanying the armed forces to these locations. Congress directed that the Department implement the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in a manner that provides a benefit that is "similar" to the benefit provided to participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Receipt of benefits under both the domestic WIC and the DoD programs is conditioned on applicants meeting specified eligibility criteria, i.e., categorical (pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding women, infants or children up to age 5), residency, income and nutritional risk. The Department was directed to use the USDA eligibility criteria to the extent practicable. This interim final rule specifies eligibility requirements, describes the benefits available under the program, and provides administrative guidance on program operation. The Department is publishing this rule as an interim final rule in order to meet the statutory directive that the Secretary of Defense prescribe regulations to administer the program. Public comments, however, are invited and will be considered when the rule is published as a final rule.