A Policy Analysis of Strategies to Manage Medical Holdovers

Abstract : This study is a policy analysis of the Community Based Health Care Initiative (CBHCI) implemented to address the problems for Soldiers mobilized and deployed in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether the CBHCI is the most efficient and effective means of delivering health care to Soldiers in Medical Holdover while achieving a good quality of life for those Soldiers. The secondary objective is to determine the tenets for creating a permanent and long-term solution to address medical board problems that is readily adaptable to tbe needs of Reserve Component and Active Component forces. Four implementation strategies were evaluated using Bardach's (1996) Eight-Step Path of Policy Analysis. On the basis of efficiency and effectiveness the Medical Retention Processing Unit/CBHCO Hybrid was selected as the best alternative. Successful characteristics from each alternative are combined with gap analysis to suggest a permanent solution for medical management of all non-deployable soldiers.