Thousands Turned Away By Base Med Center

06/17/2008 05:30:22


DAYTON, Ohio -- 3400 patients of the Wright Patterson Medical Center are being told they need to go someplace else.

In a letter sent out by Col. Kimberly Slawinski, commander of the 88th Medical Group at the base, patients were told that an Air Force wide medical shortage and deployments to support the global war on terror are the cause of the adjustment. The letter states " we have no choice but to adjust our patient capacity to match our available resources."

Patients being affected by the adjustment are Tricare Prime recipients who live 30 minutes or more from the base. The letter also states "due to the volume of expected calls, we are not answering questions over the phone." Instead, town hall-style meetings are being held to address concerns. The next meeting will be held Tuesday June 17th at the Community Center in Section C. Among those weighing in on the issue, is State Senator Sherrod Brown. "Resources may be strained, but under no circumstances should a veteran be denied the right care by the right provider," he said. "I will stay involved to ensure that outcome."
More than 300 health care providers in the Dayton area accept Tricare.

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