Keesler med learns fate in early '20

Keesler (AFB) Medical Center in Biloxi, Miss., could learn its fate in January. The hospital is one of the five largest in the Air Force, and why some veterans say they retire to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. KMC was among the first one-third the military’s medical centers (17 in all) to be reviewed this summer to determine whether they’re right-sized, services/staff cuts are needed, or if some should close. AF spokesman Tony Joiner told the Sun Herald that he doesn’t anticipate KMC to out-right close. “There is a possibility that Keesler Medical Center could lose some services and personnel,” he said, based on the outcome of a Section 703 review of the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. Even then, it could take three-to-five years before reductions start, he said. The Section 703 review-report was scheduled to reach Congress on Oct. 31. The report hasn’t been completed, and is tentatively scheduled for submission to Congress in December or January. At that time, the report will also be released to the public. Congress has 90 days to comment back to DoD before ultimately making the decision to carry out those recommended changes. (Source: Sun Herald 10/27/19) https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/military/article236653153.html?#storylink=cpy