Military Officer - June 2007 - (Page 10)

fromtheeditor Healthy Debate Would military health care improve if the services combined medical commands? MOAA’s professionalism series presents arguments for and against — and we urge you to weigh in, too. I f you’re like most Americans, health care is one of your greatest concerns. A 2006 Gallup Poll found “By many measures, the health care system and health care costs in particular are the top domestic issues on Americans’ minds today.” According to this poll, Americans want government help with health care — but don’t want the government running it. “Ironically, the one option a majority of Americans do not favor is a national health care plan,” according to the Gallup organization. Those of us in the DoD health care system also have cause for concern. The military system is under tremendous pressure to reduce costs. If you follow MOAA’s magazines and Web site and receive our e-mail updates, you’re familiar with the association’s many legislative campaigns aimed at ensuring military members receive the quality health care they pay for through years of sacriﬁce. A key goal of this year’s Storming the Hill event was to gain legislators’ support in opposing a DoD proposal that would dramatically and disproportionately increase the cost of health care for military retirees and their families under the age of 65. Check out “Washington Scene” on page 33 for the latest information and a recap of this year’s Storming the Hill. If you haven’t guessed it already, health care is the theme of this month’s issue. One story, “Uniﬁed Medical Command” on page 72, is another installment in MOAA’s professionalism series. The topic is “Would 10 MILITARY OFFICER JUNE 2007 military health care improve if the services combined medical commands?” We asked Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for Health Affairs and a proponent of the uniﬁed medical command, to offer his perspective. We also include a selection of public comments by the Army, Air Force, and Navy surgeons general. As you’ll read, the services aren’t necessarily in agreement on this proposal. What do you think about combining the medical commands? As usual with our professionalism essays, we’d like to hear your comments. To post your feedback, go to www.moaa.org/discussion and scroll down to Uniﬁed Medical Command. Rounding out the health care selections are two more stories. “Stand by Me” on page 56 discusses a new trend in health care: the use of patient advocates, whose jobs are to make sure the patient gets the best and most timely care possible. “Promise for PTSD” on page 60 reviews alternative approaches to treating posttraumatic stress disorder. Here’s to your health! — Col. Warren S. Lacy, USA-Ret. PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT http://www.moaa.org/discussion

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - June 2007

Military Officer - June 2007 Contents From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Getting the Best Care Stand By Me Promise for PTSD Cover Story: Heavy Duty Unified Medical Command Pages of History Faces of MOAA Information Exchange Member Books Advertising Index MOAA Member Services MOAA Calendar MOAA Scholarship Donors Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - June 2007

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