U.S. Army Medical Command Reorganization

What is it'

The U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) is currently engaged in a four-phased reorganization designed to optimize the delivery of health care support to the Army, Soldiers,family members and all other eligible Military Health System beneficiaries. The reorganization reduces MEDCOM's Regional Medical Commands (RMCs) and Regional Dental Commands (RDCs) from four to three in CONUS and aligns them with their TRICARE regional office boundaries.

What has the Army done'

Starting Oct. 1, 2009, The Army Surgeon General and MEDCOM commander initiated Phase I - Provisional Alignment, to form the new provisional Northern, Southern and Western RMCs and RDCs. The RMC headquarters, located at Fort Belvoir, Va., Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Fort Lewis, Wash., have corps commanders responsible for command and control and deputy commanders responsible for readiness cells. The RDC headquarters and Readiness Cells are located at Fort Bragg, N.C., Fort Gordon, Ga., and Fort Bliss, Texas. Under a separate reorganization initiative, the Veterinary Command and The Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine also merged Oct. 1, to form the new provisional public health command.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'

Phase II RMC Operational C2 with initial operational capability (IOC), begins no later than (NLT) Oct. 31, 2009, when each RMC and RDC achieves IOC and assumes command and control of all medical and dental treatment facilities within their region. In Phase III, community based warrior transition units transition and realign under the new reporting structure- without disruptions to patient care. During phase IV, MEDCOM achieves permanent realignment and full operational capability by NLT Oct. 1, 2010.

Why is the reorganization important to the Army'

The MEDCOM reorganization supports Army Force Generation transformation, readiness and the integration of direct and purchased care; ensures command authority, responsibility and accountability are appropriately aligned with resources; keeps with the recommendations made by the Department of Defense Task Force on the future of military healthcare who concluded that the reorganization improves readiness and enhances health services support for the Army, Soldiers and family members. It also improves access to care for geographically dispersed Soldiers and family members of the National Guard and Reserves and better aligns health care assets for all beneficiary populations.

Resource:

<a href=" http://www.armymedicine.army.mil " target="_blank"> Army Medicine Web site</a>