The "Supporting America's Leaders Undergoing Tough Expenses Act," or SALUTE Act, mandates the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program by September 30, 2026. This program aims to assist certain members of the Armed Forces and their dependents by offering additional supplemental coverage related to cancer. Specifically, it will help cover noncovered expenses associated with cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment that are not otherwise covered by their existing healthcare benefits.

To implement this, the Secretary will enter into agreements with no more than two licensed companies to offer fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plans. These plans must meet specific regulatory requirements, be provided under a separate policy, and not coordinate with other health benefit plans. The Secretary will negotiate the terms, conditions, and costs of coverage, and ensure methods for eligibility verification and payroll deduction of premiums are in place.

Covered individuals, including active duty military members and their TRICARE-enrolled dependents, may elect to enroll in these plans. The Secretary is also responsible for providing comprehensive information about the pilot program and enrollment details on the TRICARE online portal. A key provision is that no authorized appropriations will be used to subsidize the cost of these supplemental plans.

The bill includes provisions for preemption, superseding state laws except those concerning insurance company licensing or solvency. Furthermore, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress within three years of the program's commencement, detailing its products, enrollment, feedback, and a determination on whether to make it permanent. Unless made permanent, the pilot program will terminate five years after the Act's enactment.