MEDICAL LESSONS LEARNED

File: aaata_35.txt
Page: 35
Total Pages: 36
                                        MEDICAL LESSONS LEARNED
                                          DESERT SHIELD/STORM

          CATEGORY:  Planning

          ISSUE/ITEM:

          SUBJECT:  Reimbursements/Medical Supply

          BACKGROUND: Non-medical  units  with  requirements  for  medical  supplies  normally
          establish a supply account to support those transactions.      Desert  Storm  theater
          requirements presented a challenge  to  provide  for  unforecast  issue  of  medical
          supply items.

          DISCUSSION:   Early in Desert Storm,  it  became  apparent  that  large  volumes  of
          items such as lip balm, sunscreen,  foot  powder,  lotion,  insect  repellents,  and
          other items would be required.      No standard guidance  was  published  regarding
          units of issue, requirements, procurement or reimbursement procedures.           Each
          MAJCOM established its own guidance for what would or would  not  be  provided,  how
          much, and by whom.  Many  medical  treatment  facilities  provided  these  items
          out of medical funds, others  were  reimbursed  by  using  units,  and  other  bases
          worked through base supply.

          ACTION RECOMMENDED:

                       (1)  Publish uniform requirements for all deploying forces.

                       (2)  Publish standard procurement guidance.

          SUGGESTED OPRs/OCRs:   AFMIC
                                                         AFOMS
                                                         HQ USAF/SGHR
                                                         MAJCOM/SGX/SGAL

          SUBMITTER:   [(b)(2)]                   HQ ATC/SGAX