(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA)
and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Representatives Norm Dicks (WA-06) and Adam Smith
(WA-09) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urging him to
include funding for the construction of a Women and Children’s Center (WACC) at
Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) on Joint Base Lewis-McChord in the Fiscal
Year 2012 Program Objective Memorandum.
“By 2013 MAMC will serve the third largest troop
population in the country. With a growing number of women and children on
base it is important to provide an expanded facility that meets their unique
needs. In addition, establishing a women and children’s care facility
will fulfill the Army’s commitment to families and address the health care
needs outlined in the Army Family Covenant. This project recognizes that
the health and well being of our service members is directly connected to the
health of their families,” wrote members of Congress.
Senator Murray worked to included $2 million for the
planning and design of the WACC in the Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated
Appropriations Act.
The full text of the letter appears below:
The Honorable Robert Gates
Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense
Washington, DC 20301-1000
Dear Secretary Gates:
We write with regard to the Women and Children’s
Center (WACC) to be developed at Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) on Joint
Base Lewis-McChord. As you know, Congress provided $2 million for the planning
and design of the WACC within the Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations
Act (P.L. 111-117).
The WACC will expand access to quality health care for
the female service members and families who are stationed at Joint Base
Lewis-McChord as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve and their
families in the greater Washington State area. It will serve service
members and their families throughout the deployment cycle.
By 2013 MAMC will serve the third largest troop
population in the country. With a growing number of women and children on
base it is important to provide an expanded facility that meets their unique
needs. In addition, establishing a women and children’s care facility
will fulfill the Army’s commitment to families and address the health care
needs outlined in the Army Family Covenant. This project recognizes that
the health and well being of our service members is directly connected to the
health of their families.
Therefore, as you consider priorities for the Fiscal
Year 2012 Program Objective Memorandum, we strongly encourage the inclusion of
construction funding for this important facility.
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