Ike Puzon posted on March 16, 2011 09:28
For Immediate Release: March 16, 2011
Contact: Josh Holly; 202.226-3988
Washington, D.C.—The Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee today held the second in a series of hearings to analyze the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2012 for military health programs with the Department of Defense. The panel heard from organizations whose members benefit from these programs. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), the chairman of the subcommittee, released the following opening statement for today’s hearing:
“This morning the subcommittee meets to hear testimony on the Military Health System and the Department of Defense’s proposed cost saving initiatives from the beneficiary perspective. I understand this is an unusually early time for the Military Personnel Subcommittee to hold a hearing and I appreciate everyone’s willingness to be here this morning to discuss this important subject.
“For several years the Department of Defense has raised concerns about the rising cost of health care and the challenge of maintaining the viability of the military health system over the long term. We must seek reasonable solutions for ensuring the availability of world class military health care, not only to our returning wounded and injured and their families, but to future generations of brave young men and women who answer the call to serve our nation.
“The Department of Defense has proposed several measures aimed at reducing the cost of providing health care to our service members and their families and military retirees. The plan is a more comprehensive approach than previous cost cutting efforts. That being said, these proposals will affect not only beneficiaries, they will also affect the people who support the military health care, such as pharmacists, hospital employees and contractors.
“We are joined today by an outstanding panel consisting of representatives of several military service organizations and a representative of organizations that support the military health system. I look forward to hearing your views on the Department of Defense proposals; what do you support, what do you oppose and do you recommend alternatives to the proposals that we may consider.”