Sec. 734. Requirements study and strategy for combat medical support during crisis or conflict in the Indo-Pacific
433 words·~2 min read·
/bill/118/hr/8070/rds/section-734·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall conduct a study to determine the requirements for combat medical support during a crisis or conflict in the Indo-Pacific and in support of the objectives of the national defense strategy. Such study shall include the following: Identification of anticipated medical requirements necessary to support a most likely conflict scenario in the Indo-Pacific, including— requirements for short-term, mid-term, and long-term contingency and steady-state medical operations against adversaries; requirements for medical equipment, facilities, and personnel, to include anticipated medical specialties needed; timelines associated with activating or mobilizing total force medical personnel and equipment; and the role of the Integrated CONUS Medical Operations Plan.
An assessment of the ideal posture of medical personnel and equipment, including— locations ideal for pre-positioning medical personnel, equipment, and assets, to include hospital ships and expeditionary medical facilities; the role of fixed military medical treatment facilities and their personnel in Hawaii and elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific; infrastructure requirements or considerations in Hawaii, Guam, and other U.S. installations in the Indo-Pacific; and current or potential partner nation support capabilities or agreements.
An assessment of the rotary, tilt, and fixed wing aircraft and key medical evacuation enabling capabilities that— are needed to meet the requirements identified under paragraph (1); have been accounted for in the budget as of the date of the study; or that are being considered or in development and the projected timeline to meet full operational capability. Identification of any medical care or support capability gaps, including an assessment of— whether and to what extent such gaps may affect the ability of the joint force to provide medical support and care during a conflict; and any capability gaps attributable to unfunded requirements.
Identification and assessment of key current, emerging, and future technologies with potential applications to the combat medical support and medical evacuation mission. Based on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall develop a strategy to meet the requirements identified under such study. The strategy under paragraph
(1)shall include— a prioritized list of capabilities, equipment and infrastructure needed to meet the requirements identified under subsection (a); the estimated costs of such capabilities, equipment, and infrastructure; and the roles of each service component in contributing to combat medical support from point of injury to recovery. Not later than one year after the enactment of this Act, the Office of Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the strategy developed under paragraph (1). The report shall be submitted in unclassified form, by may include a classified annex.