Air Force surgeon general updates Congress on medical reform

  • Published
  • By Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs

Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force surgeon general, testified Dec. 5 before the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Military Personnel, updating them on medical reform in the Air Force.

Hogg’s testimony focused on modernizing the Air Force Medical Service to support the National Defense Strategy and emerging readiness requirements.

“The Air Force Medical Service is evolving in support of national defense objectives,” Hogg said. “Air Force medics continue to answer the call across a broad spectrum of operational, humanitarian, and disaster response missions.”

Hogg also spoke about progress with implementing a variety of other military health reforms, highlighting the stand-up of the Air Force Medical Readiness Agency, the launch of the Air Force Medical Reform Model and the transition of authority, direction and control of military treatment facilities to the Defense Health Agency.

“Our charge is crystal clear,” Hogg said. “I am confident these reforms will maximize our ability to meet combatant commanders’ requirements.”

Hogg also discussed how the AFMS continues to grow critical training and partnership programs, improve its ability to save lives both on and off the battlefield and assured the subcommittee that Air Force medics are ready to meet the challenges ahead.

“As our nation faces new challenges, I strongly believe that preparing for an uncertain future requires boldness and innovative thinking,” Hogg said. “I have no doubt that we are moving in the right direction and that medics throughout the Military Health System will rise to the occasion.”