Transformation of the Military Health System
Abstract
The Department of Defense Military Health System dates back to 1775 when it supported the Continental Army. The purpose of the Military Health System (MHS) is to provide medical care (preventive and resuscitative care) for U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, who may be deployed in operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom or assigned around the world in support of U.S. national interests. MHS beneficiaries have grown to a population of over 9 million. MHS delivers medical care in over 80 hospitals and more than 500 medical clinics throughout the world, making it one of the largest medical infrastructures of this great nation. In the MHS organizational structure, each Service Component has a Surgeon General and a separate medical command structure. The Department of Defense oversees medical support via the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Given the President's emphasis on transforming the way the Department of Defense runs, should the Department of Defense now establish a Joint Medical Component Command or a Unified Medical Command? If so, should this Joint Medical Component Command operate at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 27, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA448649
Entities
People
- Kelvin B. Owens
Organizations
- United States Army War College