Military Health Care : From Pre-Deployment to Post-Separation

AUTHOR: David E. Johnson, Colonel, US Army TITLE: A Consolidated Military Health Care System FORMAT: Individual Study Project DATE: 1 May 1992 PAGES: 32 CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified The desirability of centralization of military health care functions has been argued for repeatedly since World War II. The arguments for and against such centralization have not changed significantly over that period, but the military, social, and Congressional climates have changed such that a considerably larger audience is currently convinced of the advantages potentially offered by consolidation. As one cited review notes 'a general consensus [exists] among DOD officials (excepting the ASD(HA) and the Surgeons General) and other observers that the military health services system would benefit from increased consolidation and more centralized management." This paper begins with an analysis of those arguments. Should such a unification effort be found desirable, a model of such an organization is offered. The impediments and secondary effects of such a reorganization are significant and are therefore explored; and some preliminary steps necessary to a consolidation effort are suggested.