October 15, 2012: By the Numbers

October 15, 2012: By the Numbers

9.7 million

The number of beneficiaries, worldwide, that are served by the military health care system, according to a new report from the Congressional Research Service, Military Medical Care: Questions and Answers (PDF).

The report goes into detail about the how the military health care system is structured and long-term trends in defense-related health care costs.  It describes the TRICARE system -- the different plans, who is eligible, what are the costs to beneficiaries, how it will be affected by the Affordable Care Act and much more. It also explains the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program and how it is funded.