At the end of last week, as concerns about coronavirus continue to rise, U.S. Rep. Ross Spano, R-Fla., urged the U.S. Defense Department to keep open the Sabal Park Clinic and halt the decision to restrict the MacDill Air Force Base clinic to Active Duty personnel only.
Spano wrote U.S. Defense Sec. Mark Esper on the matter, insisting those decisions will “jeopardize the healthcare of veterans, service members and their families.”
The congressman weighed in on the situation on Saturday.
“Our veterans and their families will be undoubtedly be adversely impacted by these closures. Such could not come at a worse time given the strain the coronavirus could place on local medical services,” said Spano. “It is evident, that transitioning patient care for nearly 30,000 residents served by these clinics cannot be supported at this time.”
Spano pointed to a Defense Department report titled “Restructuring and Realignment of Military Medical Treatment Facilities” which was released last month which urged the clinics to be shut down within 90 days after February 19.
“In a time of increased anxiety for Americans, being told to find a new doctor in the midst of a pandemic is not only wrong, it is irresponsible. Our veterans and their families deserve better,” Spano said.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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