Defense Health Care Reform: Actions Needed to Help Realize Potential Cost Savings from Medical Education and Training

摘要

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 required that DOD develop a detailed implementation plan for carrying out its health care system reform of creating the DHA, and provide the plan to the congressional defense committees in three separate submissions in fiscal year 2013. In October 2013, DOD established the DHA to assume management responsibility for numerous functions of its medical health care system, support the services in carrying out their medical missions, manage the military s health plan, oversee the medical operations within and provide 10 shared services, including oversight of medical education and training. According to DOD, a shared services concept is a combination of common services performed across the medical community with the goal of achieving cost savings. The DHA s Education and Training Directorate, a shared service, is scheduled to begin operations in August 2014 and, according to DOD officials, when operational, will constitute the first instance of oversight of medical education and training at the Office of the Secretary of Defense level. The DHA and the Education and Training Directorate are expected to reach full operational capability no later than October 1, 2015. While the services establish training requirements, operate their own service-specific training institutions, and provide manpower to conduct the training at tri-service institutions, such as METC, the Directorate plans to provide administrative support; academic review and policy oversight; and professional development, sustainment, and program management to the military departments medical services, the combatant commands, and the Joint Staff.