Defense Health Programs: Sharing of DOD (Department of Defense) Aeromedical Evacuation System with VA (Veterans Administration) Could Reduce Costs

摘要

The General Accounting Office (GAO) is reviewing the implementation of Public Law 97-174, the Veterans Administration and Department of Defense Health Resources Sharing and Emergency Operations Act. One of the principal objectives of this law, enacted in May 1982, is to promote greater sharing of health care resources between the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD). During the review, it was noted that an opportunity for such sharing is currently available between the United States Air Force Regional Hospital (Elmendorf Air Force Base) and the VA Outpatient Clinic, both in Anchorage, Alaska. Savings to the government could result if the military's aeromedical evacuation system could be used to transport VA beneficiaries in Alaska to both military and VA hospitals in the continental United States.