1-3
1-3. HEALTH SERVICE SUPPORT AREA CONCEPT
a. Under the Health Service Support Areas (HSSA) concept, the MEDCOM coordinates medical care in six regions of the United States with command authority in each region and subordinate commands for dental and veterinary services.
b. In November 1993, subordinate commands for the U.S. Dental Command (DENCOM) and Veterinary Command (VETCOM) were provisionally activated. Under the MEDCOM, Commanders of the Dental Service Support Areas (DSSA) integrate and coordinate dental care within their geographic areas of operation. The DSSA are seven regional organizations that parallel the Health Service Support Areas (HSSA) in the medical arena. The VETCOM controls seven Veterinary Service Support Areas (VSSA), whose boundaries may differ from the HSSA and DSSA because of Defense Department responsibilities.
c. Six medical centers have command and control over medical treatment facilities in their HSSA. These regional organizations are responsible for delivering health care in the AMEDD structure. The HSSAs are headquartered at Walter Reed, Eisenhower, Brooke, William Beaumont, Madigan, and Tripler Army Medical Centers.
