We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/defense_planners_eye_unified_medical_command_concept.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:52:47 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification This is a loooooooooooooong overdue idea. *However* The potential downside I've always seen to a consolidated DoD MEDCOM is HillaryCare-style thinking on the part of the politicians. Where the DoD MEDCOM gets absorbed by the Public Health Service... and DoD users join the PHS customer base. I suspect for many on the left side of the political spectrum, *that* represents a huge, fat, juicy piece of low-hanging fruit. Defense Planners Eye Unified Medical Command Concept By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 22, 2006 – Defense Department officials are weighing the potential benefits of creating a single, unified... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/defense_planners_eye_unified_medical_command_concept.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/defense_planners_eye_unified_medical_command_concept.html Thu, 25 May 2006 07:23:14 -0600 Perhaps, Fred. Of course, if you look at it like that, we should just break everything up into smaller pieces. Oh, wait - that's Army Transformation. There are risks everywhere, but right now, there is a lot of admin redundancies and *still* holes in patient treatment. The real question is, how much "service-specific culture" is maintained, as therein lies the bugaboo for silliness, even though I understand the underlying tension in that. I really rather more fear how a "Progressive" Congress and President would see that entity. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/defense_planners_eye_unified_medical_command_concept.html#comment-45723 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/defense_planners_eye_unified_medical_command_concept.html#comment-45723 Fri, 26 May 2006 06:36:09 -0600 Exactly what benefits are going to be got here? I'd imagine there is a size issue where once the size of the medical service gets to a certain level your benefits taper off, but your bureaucratic overhead keeps on. Has anybody really quantified the benefits? Costs? Or are idiots waving their hands? That being said joint purchasing, or training, or whatever makes sense if it helps with bulk things. IF. My prediction, isthat the net difference after 2 years will be ZERO. But it'll be made to look good. the Bene's will be tabulated and the non monetary costs swept under therug. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/defense_planners_eye_unified_medical_command_concept.html#comment-45719 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/defense_planners_eye_unified_medical_command_concept.html#comment-45719 Thu, 25 May 2006 22:18:45 -0600 And why do we need to enable DoD any further? Isn't TriCare enough? *rant off* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/defense_planners_eye_unified_medical_command_concept.html#comment-45712 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/defense_planners_eye_unified_medical_command_concept.html#comment-45712 Thu, 25 May 2006 16:47:01 -0600 What is the difference between 'jointness' and unity? I get so confused... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/defense_planners_eye_unified_medical_command_concept.html#comment-45711 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/defense_planners_eye_unified_medical_command_concept.html#comment-45711 Thu, 25 May 2006 16:44:32 -0600