Dual Allegiance in Military Healthcare: US Air Force and Defense Health Agency Convergence.

Recent congressionally directed changes gave the Defense Health Agency authority, direction, and control of military treatment facilities. But limited authorities resulted in the agency's pursuit of capacity, typically measured via medical productivity standards. The Air Force maintains command authorities to organize, train, equip, and provide capabilities, including medical, to the combatant commander. These dual authorities converge at the military treatment facility, producing a conflict between capacity and capability. Tension, already present due to the dual nature of the mission to provide support and healthcare delivery to beneficiaries, has increased and threatens the Air Force's ability to medically support combat operations, generating risk to the operational mission. With the increasing likelihood and stakes of armed conflict, senior leaders can mitigate the risk to the operational mission by decreasing the tension and risk at Air Force MTFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]