Warnock, Scott Unveil Bipartisan Effort to Reverse Fort Gordon’s Hospital Closure

Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Tim Scott introduced an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act bill to reverse the closure of inpatient services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center According to reporting by WRDW , the Defense Health Agency confirmed its intent to transition Eisenhower Army Medical Center on Fort Gordon in Augusta to an ambulatory care center Fort Gordon’s Army Medical Center serves 30,000-40,000 Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families in the Augusta area.The proposed plan would end inpatient care and turn the emergency room into an urgent care facility Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced an amendment last week to the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act bill that would ensure that inpatient services remain active at Fort Gordon’s Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta. “Fort Gordon military personnel and their families deserve the best care possible. That’s why I’m working across the aisle to stop this shortsighted closure,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “The Defense Health Agency needs to reconsider its proposal and ensure that our military heroes and their families can still get adequate and top-notch medical care at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center.” “Our men and women in uniform have earned the highest quality of care our nation can provide,” said Senator Scott. “Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon should remain open so South Carolina’s service members, military families, and veterans continue to have access to timely, quality health care. Those who make tremendous sacrifices to defend our freedoms should not have to worry about whether they or their families can get the care they need. We owe them nothing less.” In May, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) announced that it is proposing to reduce care options at Fort Gordon’s Army Medical Center. Under the proposal, the Army Medical Center would no longer have general inpatient hospital beds and would turn its emergency room into an urgent care facility. The DHA has already submitted a congressional notification regarding this proposed change. Currently, Fort Gordon’s Army Medical Center serves 30,000-40,000 Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families in the Augusta area. Shortly after the announcement, Senator Warnock issued a statement about the plans, expressing concern about the impact of this closure on Augusta’s already-strained civilian health care system. Senator Warnock, along with Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), has sent letters to DHA Director Vice Adm. Darin K. Via and the Department of Defense demanding answers on their decision to reduce care options at Fort Gordon’s Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center. ###