Defense Primer: Military Health System (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Oct. 18, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF10530 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Bryce H. P. Mendez |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
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Summary:
The Department of Defense (DOD) administers a statutory
health entitlement (under Title 10, Chapter 55, of the U.S.
Code) through the Military Health System (MHS). The
MHS offers health care benefits and services through its
TRICARE program to approximately 9.5 million
beneficiaries composed of servicemembers, military
retirees, and family members. Health care services are
available through DOD-operated hospitals and clinics,
referred to collectively as military treatment facilities
(MTFs), or through civilian health care providers
participating in the TRICARE program.
The fundamental reason for an MHS is to support medical
readiness. The medical readiness mission involves
promoting “a healthy and fit fighting force that is medically
prepared to provide the Military Departments with the
maximum ability to accomplish their deployment missions
throughout the spectrum of military operations.” The MHS
also serves to “create and maintain high morale in the
uniformed services by providing an improved and uniform
program of medical and dental care for members and
certain former members of those services, and for their
dependents” (10 U.S.C. §1071). In addition, the resources
of the MHS may be used to provide humanitarian assistance
(10 U.S.C. §401) and to perform medical research (10
U.S.C. §4001).
