Though the healthcare systems of the Military, Veteran’s, and the private sectors are very different, the mission is the same:  to provide quality healthcare to its patients.  However, there are key fundamental factors that set these systems apart from each other. Factors such as budget, billing, type of care given, and political influence serve to outline the types of polices that these very different systems have. Though the mission is the same at each facility, there are political and economic factors that dictate, direct, and limit the policy-making procedures of each. 

In the private sector, factors that limit growth are the number of patients within the system and the ability to remain competitive. In the Military and Veteran’s Health systems (MHS and VHS, respectively), congress and the national budget limit growth. The budget granted to Military and Veteran’s Health systems is also directly proportional to the volume of care given. One very important factor in the both the MHS and VHS is that the care is given free of charge to their patients. Therefore, the capital used for a healthcare system is truly a powerful force that drives a system’s policies. 

The cost of healthcare in the Military, the Veteran’s, and the private sector is on the rise and is expected to continue to rise without slowing (House Affairs, 2005). Take for instance the pharmaceutical needs of patients. This high cost service has put a great deal of pressure on Military and Veteran systems as well as private sectors. The medications given to the 9.1 million beneficiaries within the MHS are all free of charge to the patient. This is also true for VHS patients and their medications needs. This service is costly to these systems, and due to this, policies ensure that medications are only prescribed when there is a clear need. Moreover, as these costs are rising, the systems are changing policies in order to control costs. An example of this is reclassifying key medications to a non-formulary category (House Affairs, 2005).

In conclusion, the Military, Veterans, and private sectors are very different but the goals of quality care are the same. All three of these systems provide quality care to their patients with respect to the mission and policies mandated by the system. Furthermore, while one system may often face factors that the others do not, political and economic pressures are faced by each these organizations.   The pressures on one system can cause another to transition its policies to accommodate fluid reform.   Regardless of the type of organization, all these factors cause the systems to constantly form new policies and change current policies.   

References

House Affairs. (2005). TRICARE moves three medications to non-formulary status. Retrieved

June 30, 2005 from http://www.ha.osd.mil/asd/20050425.cfm