What is the primary purpose of the Military Health System (MHS)?

The primary purpose of the Military Health System (MHS) is to manage health care for active duty members, retirees, and their dependents. This system is designed to ensure that service members and their families receive comprehensive medical care throughout their lives, addressing not only physical health needs but also mental health support. The MHS encompasses a network of military treatment facilities, support organizations, and partnerships with civilian health care providers, all aimed at providing timely and quality health care to those affiliated with the military.

The focus is on the entire military community, which includes active duty personnel who are currently serving, retirees who have completed their service, and dependents who rely on the military for their health care needs. This inclusivity is critical for ensuring that those who have served and their families have access to the care they require, regardless of their current service status.

While conducting medical research is an important aspect of the Department of Defense’s overall mission, it is not the primary purpose of the MHS. Similarly, offering healthcare services solely for retirees or exclusively for civilian contractors does not accurately reflect the comprehensive nature of the services provided by the MHS, as it aims to serve a broader and more diverse population associated with the military.