S. 266, a Bill To Establish a Federal Interagency Medical Resources Committee

Comments were presented on two recently introduced legislative proposals to encourage the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Veterans Administration (VA) to cooperate more fully in providing health care to Federal beneficiaries both during peacetime and in the event of war. S. 266 would establish a Federal interagency medical resources committee to ensure, through increased sharing, the most efficient and effective use of Federal direct health care resources during peacetime. This bill constitutes a much needed legislative statement of policy and guidance to the two largest direct health care systems, DOD and VA, to more efficiently spend the billions of dollars appropriated annuallly for operating, constructing, and equipping health care facilities. GAO supports the passage of this bill which recognizes the need for VA and DOD to participate in joint contingency planning and raises the priority of members of the armed forces for treatment in VA hospitals during war or national emergency. GAO agrees with authorizing VA to fully participate with DOD in planning for the treatment of returning battlefield casualties.