Defense Health Care. DOD Needs to Address the Expected Benefits, Costs, and Risks for Its Newly Approved Medical Command Structure

Why GAO Did This Study: The Department of Defense (DOD) operates one of the largest and most complex health systems in the nation and has a dual health care mission -- readiness and benefits. The readiness mission provides medical services and support to the armed forces during military operations....

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hinton, Jr , Henry L, Stewart, Derek B, Burrell, Sandra B, Beale, Rebecca S, Bolitzer, Benjamin A, Coleman, Grace A, Ditto, Susan C, Fox, Steve J, Matta, Julia C, Mejstrik, Clara C
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
BENEFITS
COSTS
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT
MEDICAL SERVICES
Medicine and Medical Research
MHS(MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM)
Military Forces and Organizations
MILITARY OPERATIONS
OPERATIONAL READINESS
RISK
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Summary:Why GAO Did This Study: The Department of Defense (DOD) operates one of the largest and most complex health systems in the nation and has a dual health care mission -- readiness and benefits. The readiness mission provides medical services and support to the armed forces during military operations. The benefits mission provides health care to over 9 million eligible beneficiaries, including active duty personnel, retirees, and dependents worldwide. Past GAO and other reports have recommended changes to the military health system (MHS) structure. GAO was asked to (1) describe the options for structuring a unified medical command recommended in recent studies by DOD and other organizations and (2) assess the extent to which DOD has identified the potential impact these options would have on the current MHS. GAO analyzed studies and reports prepared by DOD's Joint/Unified Medical Command Working Group, the Defense Business Board, and the Center for Naval Analyses, and interviewed department officials. What GAO Recommends: GAO is recommending that DOD address the expected benefits, costs, and risks for implementing the fourth option and provide Congress the results of its assessment. In commenting on a draft of this report, DOD concurred with GAO's recommendations.