Pentagon health officials said the federal government’s partial shutdown would likely have some impact on the delivery of health care services at US military hospitals and clinics. “Inpatient, acute, and emergency outpatient care in our medical and dental facilities will continue, as will private sector care under Tricare,” states an Oct. 1 Defense Health Agency release. However, local hospital and clinic commanders will need to implement adjustments to medical services so that the quality of care and safety of patients remain intact, according to the release. There might be delays for patients scheduling new routine appointments, for example. There should be “little or no effect” for Tricare beneficiaries using providers in the private sector, states the release.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.