Contracting out military health care

The military health care system is currently facing a critical provider supply versus patient demand imbalance. Contracting out health care through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services and the Primary Medical Care for the Uniformed Services programs is one approach that Army Medical Department leaders have taken to correct the problem. This article critically analyzes the success of this approach using data from an Army hospital in the eastern United States. The article concludes with three suggestions aimed at improving the current situation.