POM20
Politico Articles About Military Health System Reform and SECDEF Comment
Just keeping you informed…
Over the last few days there have been two prominently featured articles about reforming the Military Health System (MHS). The first was this article:
Esper eyes $2.2 billion cut to military health care
But then the SECDEF put this message out on social media:
Then there was this second article:
Trump rejects Pentagon’s proposed cuts to military health care
In addition, Military Times put this out as well:
Trump shoots down Pentagon proposal to cut troops’ health care
MOAA – NDAA Update: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and What’s Next
Here’s a link to the article:
NDAA Update: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and What’s Next
Here’s the portion about military medicine:
Military Health Care
Despite the success of MOAA’s Virtual Storming the Hill, efforts to include a halt to military medical end strength cuts and the realignment of military treatment facilities (MTFs) in the NDAA remain at risk. While the House version has language supporting these provisions, the Senate version does not.
MOAA is pivoting its focus to the Senate to ensure the House provisions make it through conference. Contact your senator today to express your support for the House provisions.
Even though the Defense Health Agency has announced a delay to all MTF restructuring and billet cuts, we believe legislation is needed to not only slow the process but also bolster reporting requirements and oversight mechanisms at every possible juncture to ensure DHA conducts qualified analysis and planning for any patient care moved out of MTFs.
Military.com – House Lawmakers Want to Pause Military Health System Overhaul
Here’s a little bit longer article that discusses the same thing as yesterday’s article:
House Lawmakers Want to Pause Military Health System Overhaul
COVID-Related Updates on PCSing/Travel, Promotion Boards, and Changes to Military Health System
Here are two good documents that explain the recent PCS/travel updates:
Conditions-Based Movement Fact Sheet
Here is a newsletter with an article on the restarting of promotion boards:
MyNavy Sailor to Sailor – JUNE 2020
In brief, it says:
- Although the boards were postponed, those who are selected for promotion can expect to be assigned the original date of rank and receive any back pay and allowances they’re warranted.
- Sailors’ Official Military Personnel Files will be reviewed as of the original board convening date and their eligibility will remain the same.
- Deadlines for letters to the board remain the same as originally set, except for the Reserve E-7 Board, which had a deadline of May 18, 2020, to compensate for delays in their eligibility determination. The remaining deadlines remain the same to maintain a fair and impartial balance across the fleet, but Sailors are encouraged to submit a letter if they feel their eligibility is unclear.
- Officer promotion boards require additional reviews and results are expected to be approved and announced 100 days after a board adjourns.
Here’s a link to Military.com and Federal News Network articles about MHS changes:
Big Changes to Military Health System Will Be Delayed, Top Health Official Says
DoD pressing ahead with plans to close, realign medical facilities despite GAO warnings
A Bunch of Interesting COVID Related Articles
Here you go:
Defense Department Halts Health Records Rollout During COVID-19
MHS Genesis deployment suspended amid COVID-19 pandemic
Military may build two more hospital ships, Trump says
Military’s Plan to Cut 18,000 Medical Staff Should Be Shelved During Pandemic, MOAA Says
Navy says it will still do urinalysis tests ‘to the greatest extent possible’ amid COVID-19 concerns
The Military Health System is uniquely suited to handle the COVID-19 crisis
The Pentagon is looking at reducing, but not eliminating, operations during COVID-19 pandemic
