Since the Department of Defense’s (DoD) December decision to drastically restrict healthcare access for DoD civilians and contractors at hospitals located on U.S. bases in Japan, FEA has been urgently advocating for a restoration of care. With the help of FEA members, FEA and NEA have raised the issue to U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has now sent a letter to the DoD’s Defense Health Agency seeking answers regarding its decision to cease care.
According to the Stars and Stripes, “health care providers at bases across Japan may schedule appointments for DOD civilians on space-available basis only”.
These changes come after the Defense Health Agency (DHA) determined it lacked enough capacity to provide services to all DoD civilians in Japan. For example, between July and September 2022, the DHA assessed Yokosuka facilities and determined there were not enough available appointments for both active-duty service members and their dependents. While the hospital is authorized to provide care for Tricare recipients, those who aren’t enrolled or have other insurance can only make appointments on a space available basis. This means there is very limited space available for non-Tricare holders, which make up many DoD-affiliated civilians and contractors in the area.
The reduction in healthcare access for DoD civilians is not limited to Japan, though this incident is the most recent and is currently having the widest impact.
In the letter, Senator Warren noted how civilians in Japan who have lost care feel they were given insufficient notice and are concerned about losing access to prescriptions and the difficulties of navigating Japan’s healthcare system without DoD assistance. Lack of resources, including language support, may result in patients being turned away from hospitals in the Japanese system, the Senator’s letter points out.
Additionally, Warren explained how the DoD is required to notify Congress in advance of “the scope of medical care provided at a military medical treatment facility, or the beneficiary population served at the facility.” The Senator is requesting the DoD provide a transition plan as rapidly as possible, answer questions on their decision to cut off civilian care, and more.
The reduction in healthcare access for DoD civilians is not limited to Japan, though this incident is the most recent and is currently having the widest impact. All Overseas FEA members and civilian DOD employees face diminished access to local military health care options.
Thank you to FEA members for alerting us of this issue and sending data that we and NEA could pass along to Senator Warren’s office. Our members’ assistance helped make the Senator’s letter possible and provided critical information. We would also like to thank NEA’s Government Relations team for all their hard work on behalf of FEA members.
Members are encouraged to check the FEA website and our social media pages for regular updates on this issue, including a possible letter-writing campaign to be organized by FEA/NEA.
