Military Base Realignments and Closures: Impact of Terminating, Relocating, or Outsourcing the Services of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
Abstract
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) pathologists perform three key services -- diagnostic consultations, education, and research -- primarily for physicians from DoD, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and civilian institutions. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) provision required the Department of Defense (DoD) to close the AFIP). GAO was asked to address the status and potential impact of implementing this BRAC provision. This report discusses the following: (1) key services AFIP provides to the military and civilian communities; (2) DoD's plans to terminate, relocate, or outsource services currently provided by AFIP; and (3) the potential impacts of disestablishing AFIP on military and civilian communities. New legislation requires DoD to consider this GAO report as it develops its plan for the reorganization of AFIP. GAO reviewed DoD's plans, analysis, and other relevant information, and interviewed officials from the public and private sectors. GAO recommends DoD report to Congress on the following: (1) its strategies for organizing consultation services, (2) AFIP's tissue specimen repository's assets and their potential use, and (3) its strategies for using the repository. DoD generally concurred with GAO's findings and conclusions. GAO has modified its recommendations to reflect concerns DoD raised about additional steps it needs to take before it can report on its strategies for using the repository. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) stated that GAO's report was factually accurate, but believed that it did not sufficiently describe the impact of closing AFIP. GAO believes that this report provides a balanced assessment of AFIP's services and the impact of its closing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA474772
Entities
People
- Adrienne Griffin
- Andrea Wysocki
- Carolina Morgan
- Cathy Hamann
- Jasleen Modi
- Nora Hoban
- Randall B. Williamson
- Sheila Avruch
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office