Military Medical Care Services: Questions and Answers Page: 5 of 17
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IB93103
Questions and Answers
1. What Is the Purpose of the Military Health Services System?
The MHSS provides medical care to active duty military personnel, eligible military
retirees, and eligible dependents of both groups. The primary mission of the medical services
system is to maintain the health of military personnel, so they can carry out their military
missions, and to be prepared to deliver health care required during wartime. Often described
as the medical readiness mission, this effort involves medical testing and screening of
recruits, emergency medical treatment of servicemen and women involved in hostilities, and
the maintenance of physical standards of those in the armed services.
In support of those in uniform, the military medical system also provides, where space
is available, health care services to dependents of active duty service members. Space
available care is also provided to retirees and their dependents. Some former spouses are
also included. Since 1966 civilian medical care for dependents of active duty personnel, and
for retirees and their dependents who are under age 65 has been available (with certain
limitations and co-payments) through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the
Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Since October 2001 Tricare benefits have been available
to retirees and their dependents aged 65 and over.
2. What is the Structure of the Military Health Services System?
Under the Secretary of Defense, the MHSS is headed by the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Health Affairs (ASD/HA). An October 1991 reorganization strengthened the
role of the ASD/HA by giving the incumbent planning, programming, and budgeting
responsibilities for the MHSS, including facilities operated by the Army, Navy (which also
provides health care services to the Marine Corps), and Air Force. The Surgeons General
of the Army, Navy and Air Force retain considerable responsibility for managing military
medical facilities and personnel.
The MHSS currently includes 75 hospitals, and 461 clinics operating worldwide and
employs more than 39,000 civilians and 92,000 active duty military personnel. Direct care
costs include the provision of medical care directly to beneficiaries, the administrative
requirements of a large medical establishment, and maintaining a capability to provide
medical care to combat forces in case of hostilities. Civilian providers under contract to the
Department of Defense (DOD)have constituted a major portion of the MHSS in recent years.Although the number of active duty personnel in DOD is not projected to increase over
the next few years, costs associated with the MHSS are not expected to follow suit. This
results from general inflation in the cost of health care and an increasing percentage of care
being provided to retirees and their dependents. (In 1950 retirees made up 8% of those
eligible for military health care; by 1997 it was over 50%.) Reductions in direct care can
actually lead to growth in overall DOD health spending because beneficiaries whose access
to military medical facilities is removed through base closures may turn to more costly care
from civilian providers, for which they can seek reimbursement from DOD.
Each year the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) forwards a budget request to
Congress for the Defense Health Program (DHP), which includes monies needed forCRS-2
05-22-03
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Best, Richard A., Jr. Military Medical Care Services: Questions and Answers, report, May 22, 2003; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs4248/m1/5/?q=%22Medical+care%22: accessed June 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.