Defense Health Care Costs: Strategic Implications
Abstract
In an ideal world, the National Security Strategy (NSS) drives the National Military Strategy (NMS), the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan, the Defense and Contingency Planning Guidance, and ultimately the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) budgetary request to Congress. If resources are unlimited, all aspects of NMS and NSS goals are theoretically achievable. In reality, resource constraints limit the FYDP and hence achievable strategic goals. This forces the US to prioritize national interests, selecting some to pursue and some to abandon. Resource allocation (spending) is strategic. In our open democratic process, regional or special interest groups can force allocation of resources to goals not necessarily of the highest global priority. Actions by the Defense Department may facilitate action by special interest groups, producing a significant reallocation of defense resources. Ideally, the Defense Department recognizes this possibility when it makes decisions, makes allowances for the possible outcomes, and ultimately makes an informed decision on the wisdom of a particular action and its present and future impact on our NSS. Unfortunately, the Defense Department is not always sufficiently prescient in its appreciation of the consequences of its actions. This report reviews one such instance, the promise of free medical care for life, and its potential impact on future resource allocation. This case study also demonstrates the intricate interplay of political and legal systems on resource allocation and, by extension, on NMS and NSS.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA442662
Entities
People
- Stephen A McGuire
Organizations
- National War College