Section 711 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 required that the Secretary of Defense establish a task force to examine matters related to the future of military health care. As directed by the Act, in December 2006 the Secretary of Defense appointed 14 members to the Department of Defense Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care. The Task Force includes individuals from within and outside the Department of Defense, with wide expertise in issues related to health care programs and costs.

The Task Force was asked to address ten specific elements relevant to the future of military healthcare and issue a final report with its assessment and recommendations within 12 months.

In addition, the Act requires that the Task Force produce an interim report by May 31, 2007 for submission to the Secretary of Defense and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives. The interim report is to focus on one of the ten elements, specifically, the “beneficiary and Government cost sharing structure required to sustain military health benefits over the long term, particularly with regard to cost sharing under the pharmacy benefits program.”

The Task Force operates as a subcommittee of the Defense Health Board. Subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Task Force is conducting a number of public meetings to gather information from interested parties, including the public, on the issues listed in its charge. Meeting dates and agendas are posted in advance and meeting materials and transcripts are posted on the website after the meeting.

The Task Force officially terminated on June 27, 2008 as required by law.