Appropriations Committee assured Military Health System ready for modern challenges

The focus of the Military Health System is to be ready for modern needs, according to testimony from a Senate hearing on defense health. The surgeons generals of the Army, Navy and Air Force told the Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee that readiness was the top priority.

“Our most promising initiative to bring care closer to our patients is virtual health,” Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Nadja Y. West said during the hearing, adding that those services span 30 countries and territories in 30 clinical fields.

West also told the committee that the Army was prepared for the future and cited several past successes in the treatment of physical and mental combat-related wounds.

“Retaining this agility is key as we continue to work with our colleagues to implement the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act,” West said. “Readiness is foremost, and we must maintain the ability to flex with our service to provide the right capability [and to continue] to meet or exceed national quality care standards in our garrison environment.”

Navy Vice Adm. (Dr.) C. Forrest Faison III said the Navy had been developing new approaches to training, preparation, equipment and support required by personnel.

“We’re also continuing to leverage private and academic partnerships in key areas such as trauma training at Los Angeles County [Department of Health Services and] the trauma and burn program at the Federal Health Center in Chicago,” Faison said.

Air Force Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Mark A. Ediger said they have been developing plans based on past experiences to apply new techniques that will help personnel on the job.

“Operations in Central Command and Africa Command have expanded requirements for agile teams trained and equipped for forward trauma resuscitation, damage control surgery and critical care, performing near operating forces often without the benefit of a field hospital,” Ediger said.

There is also a new electronic health record being put in at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington that will help health care teams and patients.