Stefanik Demands Action From Defense Health Agency Over Staffing Shortages At Fort Drum Maternal Health Clinic

Saratoga, N.Y.- Congresswoman Elise Stefanik ( NY-21) led a letterto the Defense Health Agency (DHA) Director Lieutenant General Telita Crosland demanding immediate attention to the severe physician and staffing shortages impacting the obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) clinic at Fort Drum which is forcing expectant mothers to seek care off base.

Stefanik has been a leading advocate for access to maternal health care for service members and their families leadingthe Improving Access to Maternal Health for Military and Dependent Moms Act and co-leadingthe Military Moms Act to ensure quality maternal care for service members and their spouses.

In the letter, Congresswoman Stefanik states,"Upstate New York is classified as a Health Provider Shortage Area (HPSA), facing severe recruitment challenges that often span two to three years. Compounding this issue, the military OB/GYN service line has suffered a drastic 78% reduction in providers due to ETS, resignations, and retirements, with full replenishment potentially taking four to five years. This has created a capability gap at Fort Drum that threatens the safe delivery of obstetrical services for both Fort Drum families and the surrounding community.

The situation is dire. The lack of available military inventory for physicians severely restricts our ability to fill these essential positions. This shortage has forced Fort Drum to refer obstetrical patients to external network partners for second-half pregnancy and delivery care, disrupting continuity and straining already overwhelmed healthcare systems. Since April 8, Fort Drum has been forced to refer expectant mothers to off-post hospitals for third-trimester care."

Congresswoman Stefanik continues,"Moreover, a critical request for OB/GYN physician support through a Contract Service Agreement with Humana Military Health was inexplicably denied by DHA. With no alternative staffing options, the only remaining choice was to direct patients to community hospitals. And now, our community hospitals are overwhelmed with the increase in patients, a system already facing its own physician shortages."

This letter is following up on an initial request for information sent to the DHA regarding the staffing shortages and a denied contract service agreement that would have addressed the shortage at Fort Drum.

Read the full letter HERE.

Permalink: https://stefanik.house.gov/2024/8/stefanik-demands-action-from-defense-health-agency-over-staffing-shortages-at-fort-drum-maternal-health-clinic