Dayton Daily News: "Air Force could have more say in Wright-Patterson hospital’s future under bill"

Last week, Congressman Davidson, introduced an[]attached to the fiscal year [], that passed by a vote of 351 to 66 in the House. Looming concerns over the future of Wright-Patterson Medical Center has been a point of contention over the past few years as discussed in this Dayton Daily News article from 2014. The main issue concerning the percentage of in-patient beds being utilized and the DoD's discretion to institute cuts as needed on that basis. Davidson's amendment however now provides the Air Force more transparency and input when potential cuts are decided. This is a win not only for the Wright-Patterson Medical Center that treats tens of thousands of in-patients and out-patients every year but also for the southwest Ohio community that make up the 2,100 employees currently employed there.

Excerpts from the most recent article can be found below and the full article can be found here.

Air Force Could Have More Say in Wright-Patterson Hospital’s Future Under Bill

Dayton Daily News

Barrie Barber - Staff Writer

May 24, 2018

An Ohio congressman has added an amendment to a defense policy bill that would give military services like the Air Force more of a say in the potential closure or cuts in services at medical facilities, a spokesman says.

U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy, added the amendment as part of the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House on Thursday in a 351-66 vote.

The amendment would require a description of the criteria used to close any military hospital or cut services, and allow input from the military branch.

The Defense Health Agency evaluates health services throughout the Department of Defense, including Wright-Patterson Medical Center, which in prior years was under pressure to increase the use of inpatient beds

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