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1 [1] (January 14, 2026)

handle is hein.crs/govetfc0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service Informing the ags ati ve dbae since 1914 Defense Primer: Military Health System The Department of Defense (DOD), which is using a secondary Department of War designation, under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025, 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 9.4 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 MHS was established to support medical readiness through the provision of medically ready and ready medical forces and by improving the health of all those entrusted to [their] care. Congress instructed that the MHS was 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). Congress authorized some MHS resources to be used for humanitarian assistance (10 U.S.C. §401) and to perform medical research (10 U.S.C. §4001). Organization The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD[P&R]) is the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense and to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for military and civilian personnel matters and quality of life matters, including health affairs (see 10 U.S.C. §136). Key MHS Organizations * Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (OASD[HA]) * Defense Health Agency (DHA) * Army Medical Command, Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and the Air Force Medical Command The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD[HA]) reports to the USD(P&R). The ASD(HA) is the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense on all DOD health policies, programs and activities and for the Integrated Disability Evaluation System and has primary responsibility for the MHS (see DOD Directive 5136.01). Reporting to the USD(P&R) through the ASD(HA), the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is a joint combat support agency whose purpose is to enable the Army, Navy, and Air Force medical services to provide a medically ready forces and a ready medical force to combatant commands in both peacetime and wartime. Updated January 14, 2026 DOD is using secondary titles for the aforementioned positions, including Secretary of War, Deputy Secretary of War, Under Secretary of War, and Assistant Secretary of War under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025. BeneficiarieS In FY2024, there were 9.4 million total MHS beneficiaries (see Figure 1). Figure I. MHS Beneficiaries, FY2024 Figure is interactive in the HTML version of this report. Retirees 11% (1.1m) TRICARE for Life Eligibles 27% (2.5M) Active Servica 16% (1 Active Duty Family Members 19% (1.8M) Retiree Family Members 27% (2.5M) Source: CRS graphic based on DOD, Defense Health Program Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget Estimates, June 2025, p. 139. Notes: Numbers may not add up to total due to rounding. TRICARE for Life Eligibles are Medicare-eligible beneficiaries, including retirees and retiree family members 65. tryf Treatment Facilities ( T s) DHA administers all MTFs worldwide. Generally, these facilities are located on or near a U.S. military base. There are three types of MTFs that provide a range of clinical services depending on facility size, mission, and level of capabilities: (1) medical centers, (2) hospitals, and (3) ambulatory care centers. MTFs are typically staffed by military, civil service, and contract personnel. In FY2024, DHA administered 601 MTFs. TRICARE Options With the exception of active duty servicemembers (who are assigned to the TRICARE Prime option and pay no out-of- pocket costs for TRICARE coverage), MHS beneficiaries may have a choice of TRICARE plan options depending upon their status (e.g., active-duty family member, retiree, reservist, child under age 26 ineligible for family coverage,