Combating Access to Military Healthcare

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The Military Health System is a well functioning organization that is instrumental in healthcare activities to U.S. Military personnel retired or active, and it works under the United States Department of Defense. It also provides healthcare for the dependents of the personnel. (Best, 2005) It is reported that there is a budget of $39.4 billion in 2007 with beneficiaries amounting to 9.1 million and sited at more than 1000 locations. (Defense Health Board, 2007) There are also seven care support contracts instrumental under the parameters of TRICARE. (USGAO, 1995) TRICARE can be enumerated as the service centers that are responsible for providing healthcare for Reserve members, National Guards, service members, along with their spouses, survivors, families, and retirees. (Military Health System Skyline, 2008)

However, with such well-formulated establishments, it is difficult to imagine the difficulties service personnel can face to receive benefits in terms of healthcare. It is a curious note to learn that even with such varied and established facilities, the Military health system lacks a proper communication system that could address the needs of the beneficiaries and allow them access to these facilities. (Cowen & Moorhead, 2006) At present, there is no proper addressing system that could convey to the personnel about the whereabouts of the facilities and establishments.

There are no proper services of advising board, provider referral services, provider appointments, 24-hour telephone triage, or telehealth service. Similarly, the establishment lacks any kind of proper literature for the healthcare-seeking personnel. Thus, it can be stated that getting access to healthcare in a Military health system is no less than combat for these people. (Tanielian, 2003)

It is a curious note to imagine a situation where the government is spending a huge amount on healthcare but failing to make it accessible to the people for whom it was meant to be in the first place. The service members know that there are facilities available for them and their families, but there is very little information about the details of the facilities. Even if there is information, it is extremely difficult to avail those facilities just because the communication system of the government is not up to the mark of a professional outfit. (DIANE, 2007)

To change the situation, it is extremely needed to implement measures that would enable the service members and their families to gain access to healthcare in a Military health system. One such measure can be 24-hour telephone triage or telehealth service where the service members would be conveyed of every detail and formalities needed for access to healthcare. Another such measure can be enumerated as provider appointments, which would set up a database of qualified personnel and guide them through the system with timely and proper facilities. (Byrd & Clayton, 2000)

Another such communication system can be the provider referral services. This would instruct the beneficiary to reach the location or site that is most appropriate for the personnel. This would also be instrumental in proving and arranging the appointments for healthcare-related services.

It is a fact that the people in the service sector require more concentration on communication procedures. Otherwise, such multi-billion facilities, provided under budgetary control, would fail to meet the necessary level of efficiency. It should be remembered that people in the service sectors are already combating for the safeguards of the country, and they should not be a force to combat access to healthcare in a Military health system that, in reality, is their right by itself. (Ellis & Hartley, 2004)

References

Best, Jr., Richard A; (2005); “Military Medical Care Services: Questions and Answers“; Congressional Research Service. Web.

Bonn, Keith E; 2002; Army Officer’s Guide; Cambridge University Press.

Byrd, W. Michael & Clayton, Linda A; 2000; An American Health Dilemma; Routledge.

Cowen, Perle Slavik & Moorhead, Sue; 2006; Current Issues in Nursing; Mosby Elsevier.

Defense Health Board; (2007); “Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care: Final Report“; United States Department of Defense. Web.

DIANE; 2007; Defense health care Medicare costs and other issues may affect uniformed services treatment facilities’ future; Report to the chairman and ranking minority member, Subcommittee on Defense, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate; DIANE Publishing.

Ellis, Janice Rider & Hartley, Celia Love; 2004; Nursing in Today’s World: Trends, Issues & Management; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Hosek, Susan D & Cecchine, Gary; 2001; Reorganizing the Military Health System: Should There Be a Joint Command?; Rand Corporation, National Defense Research Institute (U.S.), United States Dept. of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense; Rand Corporation.

Military Health System Skyline; (2008); What is TRICARE; tricare.mil. Web.

Tanielian, Terri L; 2003; Impact of a Uniform Formulary on Military Health System Prescribers: Baseline Survey Results; Rand Corporation.

USGAO; (1995); “Defense Health Care: Despite TRICARE Procurement Improvements, Problems Remain“; United States General Accounting. Web.

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Combating Access to Military Healthcare

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