AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s nearly a week past the deadline for military officials to update Sen. Jon Ossoff on the future of Fort Gordon’s hospital, but he still hasn’t heard back.
Meanwhile, news reports of potential cuts at the hospital apparently set off a panic among employees.
In November, the Georgia Democrat demanded answers from military health officials about reported plans to reduce services at Eisenhower Army Medical Center.
In a letter to the Defense Health Agency, Ossoff asked about potential cuts that could include closing inpatient, emergency room and operating room services.
He gave the agency a deadline of Nov. 28 to respond.
But a spokesman for Ossoff said Thursday:
“Unfortunately for Augusta’s military families and veterans, the Defense Health Agency has yet to provide a response, but Sen. Ossoff’s team has requested an update.”
The letter was dated Nov. 12, the same day the federal shutdown ended after a standoff in Congress over spending.
The hospital’s chief addressed reports about the letter in an email to employees. The email emphasized that nothing had been decided but did make a reference to “our next chapter.”
The email from Col. Rose L. Freeman states:
WRDW, Channel 12/26 in Augusta aired a report Wednesday evening alleging uncertain changes to EAMC’s future operations. Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff sent an official inquiry to the Defense Health Agency for clarification with a response suspense of November 28.
Specific, congressionally approved decisions involving our operations have not been determined or announced. We acknowledge that this news creates a significant level of stress and concern for staff and our beneficiaries, especially as it comes right after an extended government shutdown.
We will keep you informed on the latest information of all changes as we get confirmation.
What we ask is that you refrain from online engagement as a representative of DDEAMC. It is normal to feel like you need to set the record straight and have your voice heard, but this issue needs to be addressed and handled through official government channels rather than public speculation. We sincerely appreciate your professionalism and loyalty to DDEAMC as we navigate through our next chapter.
Eisenhower currently serves 30,000 to 40,000 people.
The facility operates as a teaching hospital with 80 residents and employs about 1,500 people total.
Ossoff asked the Defense Health Agency specific questions about the facility’s future, including whether there are plans to reduce the scope of care and services offered at the hospital.
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The senator also questioned whether leaders reviewed data to determine whether Augusta hospitals could absorb additional patients if cuts occurred.
The letter asks if the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., and the facility in Beaufort, S.C., are among those the Defense Health Agency is considering for service reductions.
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