The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD[HA]) is the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD[P&R]) for all Department of Defense health and force health protection policies, programs,  and activities. In carrying out these responsibilities, the ASD(HA) exercises authority, direction, and control through the Defense Health Agency over the DOD medical and dental personnel authorizations and policy, facilities, programs, funding, and other consolidated resources. To learn more about ASD(HA) responsibilities and functions, please refer to the DOD Directive 5136.01.

Vision

The ASD(HA) ensures the effective execution of the Military Health System (MHS) vision: to become the world’s role model of an integrated military system of health and readiness delivering technology-enabled, innovative, and service-focused care in support of our nation’s military mission – anytime, anywhere. 

Military Health System Strategy 

The MHS Strategy for Fiscal Years 2024-2029 outlines the mission, guiding principles, and goals of the MHS.  The four goals provide an actionable roadmap to effectively deliver the required MHS capabilities:

1. Take Care of Our People.  Healthy, educated, and trained people take better care of people. We must restore the well-being of our healthcare personnel so that they are ready to provide the best care and the best support for those who go into harm’s way. 
2. Stabilize the MHS.  The realignment of medical personnel, coupled with a volatile health care economy and a new electronic health record, created challenges to care for our beneficiaries and impacted our ability to efficiently generate and sustain medically ready and ready medical forces. 
3. Modernize the MHS.  Health systems worldwide must transform to keep up with the pace of rapid innovation. A complex and challenging national security landscape requires us to streamline and reform health care delivery to make the best, most effective use of our nation’s resources. 
4. Integrate MHS Capabilities. Resources must be strategically applied to effectively and efficiently deliver the five integrated military health service capabilities: first responder care, forward resuscitative care, enroute care, theater hospitalization, and definitive care. 

Learn more about the MHS Strategy.