AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A proposed change to Eisenhower Army Medical Center is raising concerns among veterans and lawmakers across the CSRA.The Defense Health Agency has proposed transitioning Eisenhower to an ambulatory care center – a move that would end in-patient services and shift emergency care to urgent care.Congress was notified of the proposal in March and has 180 days to review it, with a decision expected by late August.For many military families, Eisenhower has been a primary source of care for years. “I was shocked,” said Cynthia Stein, a retired military veteran. “We stayed in this area because of the care at Eisenhower, and we expected to keep using it. So this definitely caught us off guard.”Stein says her family has relied on the facility for years, choosing to continue care there even after retirement because of the quality and accessibility.“We chose to stay at Eisenhower because of the quality of care. No co-pays, no pharmacy costs – and we relied on their emergency services. It’s been a win for our famility,” Stein said.The proposal includes relying more on civilian hosiptals for certain services – something that raises concerns for some veterans.“My biggest concern is losing access to critical care,” said Peerless Jackson, a medically retired military veteran. “In emergencies, service members and their families may have to rely on outside facilities.”Even veterans outside the CSRA say changes like this could have a broader impact.“These facilities are extremely important,” Jackson said. “They’re built around the unique needs of service members, retirees, and their families.”
Congressman Rick Allen also weighed in, calling the propsal “strongly disappointing” and saying he opposes the plan. He says he is working to block it at the federal level.
The Defense Health Agency has not annouced a timeline for when these changes could take place.For now, the propsal remains under review as veterans and military families continue to watch closely…