Defense Health Care Reform: Actions Needed to Help Ensure Defense Health Agency Maintains Implementation Progress

In 2013, DOD created the DHA to provide administrative support for the services respective medical programs and combine common shared services to achieve cost savings. House Report 113-446 included a provision that GAO review DOD s progress in implementing the DHA. This report addresses the extent to which DOD has made progress in (1) assessing the personnel requirements of the DHA and its effect on MHS personnel levels; (2) developing an approach to achieving cost savings through shared services; and (3) fully developing performance measures to assess its shared services. GAO reviewed DOD s personnel requirements assessment process, business case analyses, and performance measures for the DHA s shared services. GAO compared this information with key management practices and DOD guidance. Additionally, GAO interviewed officials from the DHA and the military services. In addition to GAO s prior recommendations, GAO is making a number of recommendations related to the DHA s personnel requirements and approach to achieving cost savings. DOD concurred with all but one recommendation to develop a plan for reassessing its personnel requirements, partially concurring and citing existing guidance. GAO continues to believe that current guidance in this area is insufficient, and that DOD would benefit from a plan for reassessing its personnel needs as the DHA s missions and needs evolve. Report to Congressional Committees