The Defense Department is getting ready for the next step in consolidating all military hospitals and clinics under the Defense Health Agency. On Oct. 1, the Army, Navy and Air Force will begin the last two years of transition, shifting administration and management of medical facilities under the DHA, according to a recent news release. The change was mandated in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act and is intended to streamline operations and reduce redundancy. The DHA will be responsible for health care delivery and business operations across the Military Health System, including budgets, information technology, health care administration and management, administrative policies and procedures, and military medical construction. Between Oct. 1, 2019, and Oct. 1, 2021, transition efforts will focus on developing centralized administration and management; establishing 21 large health care markets; establishing a small-market and standalone military treatment facility organization for facilities and clinics not aligned to a large market; and establishing defense health regions overseas. Read more at AF.mil.
DoD Begins Next Military Hospital Consolidation Phase
