DoD-VA Health Care: A Case Study in Interagency Reform
Abstract
Recent national catastrophes demonstrate that the United States interagency must expand its capacity to expeditiously respond to issues of national importance. Some experts are calling for sweeping interagency reform (IAR) - as reform is often successful when Congress supports and directs legislation born out of calamity. Clearly, there needs to be a better way to improve interagency collaboration than this "reform after disaster" paradigm. Ideally, interagency coordination absent the need for major IAR legislation is preferable. Examination of the DoD-VA health care partnership in the aftermath of Walter Reed provides new insight into the timing, proportion, and necessity of IAR legislation for improving interagency collaboration. The legacy of this partnership will ultimately depend on its ability to successfully transform ahead of the impending U.S. health care catastrophe. Recommendations are provided to strengthen DoD-VA coordination and build further capacity. The ability of this partnership to mitigate the effects of this imminent national health care crisis will arguably provide the first template for major interagency "transformation before catastrophe." Embracing these recommendations also will secure the DoD-VA partnership's position as a model for universal access to health care for all Americans.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA480126
Entities
People
- John M. Cho
Organizations
- United States Army War College