Sen. Marshall grills Kansas military hospital downgrade proposal
TOPEKA (KSNT) - Kansas Senator Roger Marshall is calling for the U.S. Department of Defense Health Agency (DHA) to reconsider downgrading military hospitals in Fort Riley and Leavenworth.
Marshall filed a letter to the DHA on Jan. 10 in which he argues that proposed changes to the hospitals could impact the Army's military readiness. The Irwin Army Community Hospital, located in Fort Riley, and the Munson Army Health Center, located in Fort Leavenworth, are both considered emergency care and outpatient centers respectively, according to a press release from Marshall's office.
“If actualized, these downgrades of the hospitals at Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth would be devastating to the servicemembers, their family members, the veterans in the surrounding communities, and the tens of thousands of Kansans in the local areas who rely on these institutions,” Marshall said in his letter. “Combined, these hospitals service more than 75,000 individuals. At this point, it is unclear how the DHA and the Department of Defense will address shortages of care that will undoubtedly occur following this change.”
27 News contacted the DHA which said the department started working to make adjustments to medical treatment facilities in 2023.
"Internal analysis is still underway, and the Department has made no decisions at this time," said a spokesperson for the Military Health System. "Once decisions are made, DoD will communicate with beneficiaries, leaders, Congress and all stakeholders well in advance of any actions taking effect."
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