Revitalizing Vital Patient Care in Military Health System

Revitalizing the Military Health System

The Department of Defense (DOD) is making a concerted effort to stabilize the Military Health System (MHS). Following a memo signed by the Deputy Secretary of Defense on Dec. 6, 2023, the MHS is set to bolster its capacity to improve patient care and military clinical readiness.

Over the past three years, a realignment of medical personnel and a turbulent health care economy have posed challenges to the MHS. Dr. David J. Smith, the deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Health Readiness Policy and Oversight, is leading a task force to implement the memo’s directions.

The memo aligns with the recently unveiled MHS Strategy for 2024-2029. It seeks to ensure that the MHS continues to provide medically ready forces and quality care to beneficiaries.

The MHS is of central importance to the US defense system. The Military Health System Executive Review Board has been relied on for overseeing major improvement projects. Further, these issues are being actively discussed in the Deputy’s Workforce Council, the highest governance forum in the department covering personnel issues.

Under the restructuring, all military clinics and hospitals have been realigned under the Defense Health Agency. This substantial transition, the largest since the establishment of the U.S. Air Force in 1947, is expected to standardize care and leverage economies of scale.

Stabilizing the MHS

Going forward, the MHS will prioritize staffing and management at military hospitals and clinics, with the aim of increasing the capacity to deliver care. By June 30, 2024, a comprehensive review will be carried out to assess and enhance medical manpower and staffing.

Limitations on the assignment of military medical personnel to hospitals and clinics will be reconsidered. A phased progression of assigning medical forces to these facilities is set to commence by July 1, 2024.

Better recruitment and retention of civilian employees will also be pursued. Pay rates for civilian healthcare personnel will be improved under chapter 74 of title 38.

Increasing Capacity for Patients

The DOD is making efforts to attract patients back to military hospitals and clinics. Increased staffing will mitigate burnout among health workers and improve patient care. The DOD is targeting to reattract at least 7% of care from the private sector back to MTFs.

Dr. Lester Martínez-López, the DOD assistant secretary for health affairs, emphasized the focus on readiness and health care for all beneficiaries. The Department is committed to making the MHS more accessible and providing quality care to its 9.6 million beneficiaries worldwide.

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