Elements of Change in Military Medical Force Structure: A White Paper,
Abstract
The Defense Department maintains a substantial health care delivery capability for two distinct but related reasons. First, as with its other support functions, the department needs a medical capability to support its ability to go to war. This mission, often called the 'readiness mission' of the military health care establishment, requires the Department to maintain the medical readiness of its uniformed personnel both in peacetime and during hostilities. In time of war, the readiness mission takes on the added dimension of care of casualties. Transportation, maintenance, supply, training, and most other support functions serve a similar readiness mission. In fact, these capabilities exist solely to enhance the readiness of the Department. But the medical function serves a second, perhaps equally important, function. The health care the medical establishment provides service members, including retirees, and their families represents an important compensation benefit. In fact, the health benefits stands second only to retirement in value, and therefore in importance, to service members and their families. To attract and retain employees in today's competitive marketplace, every employer must offer its employees a health benefit, and the Defense Department is no different.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA260490
Entities
People
- Susan Hosek
- William M. Hix
Organizations
- RAND Corporation