The Official Website of Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo

New Naval Hospital Planned

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 18 , 2008– Washington, D.C. –

Today the Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Donald C. Winter, announced that the new U.S. Naval Hospital will be built at the hospital’s current location in Agana Heights, Guam. The Navy conducted a site evaluation to consider the option of moving the new hospital to a location in the north. The new U.S. Naval Hospital will be expanded to accommodate the increased military presence; however the exact cost and size of the new facility are still being finalized by the Department of the Navy. The new facility will also include increased primary and specialty care services to patients on Guam.

“News that the new Naval Hospital facility will be built on the current hospital grounds is good news for our servicemembers, retirees and Veterans,” said Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo. “Congress recommended that the Navy keep the new hospital on the current site. The new facility will increase the current hospital’s capacity and bring new specialty care services to our island.”

The announcement also clears the way for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to continue its plans to build a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) adjacent to the U.S. Naval Hospital facility. Language in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 requires the Departments of the Navy and Veterans’ Affairs to study the possibility of a joint facility that would leverage the capabilities of the hospital staff and services for Veterans on Guam. Building the new hospital in Agana Heights makes it more feasible to continue studying the possibility of a joint facility.

“I hope that the new Naval Hospital will increase access for Veterans on Guam to specialty care,” stated Congresswoman Bordallo. “We are working with the leadership of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee in urging the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to share resources to improve the quality of care for our servicemembers, retirees and Veterans on Guam. ”

Contact: Joseph E. Duenas in Washington, D.C. at 202-225-1188 or Audreya Taitano at 671-477-4272/4

joseph.duenas@mail.house.gov or audreya.taitano@mail.house.gov

www.house.gov/bordallo

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