MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- A Department of Defense report on the appropriate size and scope of military hospitals and clinics identified the 42nd Medical Group Medical Treatment Facility for future change.
The Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act directed the DoD to submit a report to Congress on restructuring medical facilities to increase their focus on military and medical force readiness. The report was sent to Congress on Feb. 19, 2020.
The report identifies the Maxwell MTF to transition from an outpatient clinic to an active duty and occupational health clinic. This means the clinic will only provide health services to uniformed service members and on-base civilian employees (when related to their employment). Other patients, including families of service members and military retirees, will get their care from the TRICARE civilian health care network.
“We understand this change will impact many in our military community and will affect who can be seen at the clinic. However, to the best of our knowledge, it will not change our pharmacy operations,” said Col. Jeanette Frantal, commander of the 42nd MDG. “Our beneficiaries will likely still have the same access to our pharmacy services even after this change is fully implemented.”
The implementation of the change will be in deliberate and phased fashion, she said, which could take a few years to fully complete.
“Until all the pieces are in place to ensure the best health care options are available in the civilian community for our beneficiaries, we will still be seeing the same patients as we have before this report was sent to Congress,” she said. “It could take anywhere from three to five years to fully implement this change.”
The DoD report focused on the role of each hospital and clinic to military readiness and the department’s solemn obligation to provide outstanding health care for its 9.5 million beneficiaries.
“The 42nd Medical Group team will work closely with the Defense Health Agency and our local civilian network health providers to ensure any patients affected by this change will continue to receive outstanding medical care,” said Frantal.