In a recent letter by Representatives Bill Posey and Kathy Castor, the lawmakers advised including language in the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to stop planned cuts to military medical capacity.

The letter was sent to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith and Ranking Member Mac Thornberry on May 14.

“Even before the COVID-19 emergency, we had concerns about downsizing the [military treatment facilities],” the letter reads. “Specifically, our constituents raised concerns about how the civilian community will absorb new patients with TRICARE.”

A campaign by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is urging the public to petition their local Congressperson to sign onto the initiative.

“All plans to reduce military health system capacity must be re-evaluated in light of lessons learned from the whole-of-nation response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” wrote MOAA in a recent article.

Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Sippel