Washblog

I would never expect the fake patriots to make the correlation, but stories like this are a stark reminder of the 'Contract on America' policies of the Republican Party, and their chief 'I want to drown government in the bathtub' architect, Grover  Norquist:

Emergency rooms in Coupeville and Anacortes are preparing to treat hundreds more patients next year because of the anticipated closure of Naval Hospital Oak Harbor's 39-year-old emergency room.

....

However, the switch is causing concern in Oak Harbor.

Around 8,000 active duty military personnel, along with 13,000 family members and 10,000 retirees, live in the area and are eligible to use hospital, Martin said.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said that she has requested a briefing on the action.

"I am concerned that this decision could impact the level of quality care available to Whidbey Island service members and their families," she said.

Murray said she wants to hear from base officials about "how they will continue to ensure the quality care our service members deserve."

The Navy is trying to trim out these types of non-hospital hospitals all over the country, which will clog up the already clogged up ER's in other hospitals. When your kid is sick and needs an IV, as a military spouse, you'll have to leave the base and drive 30 miles.

Small Navy hospitals across the nation are making changes similar those being made at the Oak Harbor facility, he said, because they aren't operating as fully operational emergency rooms.

"They don't have the staff nor the resources to do that," said Case, who worked at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor from 1970 to 1983.

Vince Oliver, Island Hospital's chief executive, said he first learned of plans to close Naval Hospital Oak Harbor earlier this week from the hospital's commanding officer.

Oliver said he was surprised by the news.

"NAS Whidbey is a base that will be here for quite some time," he said. "The Prowler community is being updated. New people are being assigned to the base. It seemed a little odd that there was a critical service that they're downsizing."

Oliver said it's too early to know what effect the closing will have on his hospital's emergency room, but some additional patients are expected.

Island Hospital's emergency room will have plenty of space to treat any patients that would have been treated by the Navy hospital, Oliver said.

Just a little odd? Its Republican policy in action!