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<p>STATEMENT OF VICE ADMIRAL MATTHEW L. NATHAN, MC, USN, SURGEON GENERAL OF THE NAVY BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEFENSE OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS.<br><br>"I can report to you Navy Medicine remains strong, capable and mission-ready to deliver world class care, anytime, anywhere. We are operating forward and globally engaged, no matter what the environment and regardless of the challenge. The men and women of Navy Medicine remain flexible, agile and resilient in order to effectively meet their operational and wartime commitments, including humanitarian assistance; and concurrently, delivering outstanding patient and family-centered care to our beneficiaries. It is a challenge, but one that we are privileged to undertake.<br><br>One of my top priorities since becoming the Navy Surgeon General in November 2011 is to ensure that Navy Medicine is strategically aligned with the imperatives and priorities of the Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations and Commandant of the Marine Corps. We are fully engaged in executing the operational missions and core capabilities of the Navy and Marine Corps – and we do this by maintaining warfighter health readiness, delivering the continuum of care from the battlefield to the bedside and protecting the health of all those entrusted to our care. Our focus remains in alignment with our Navy and Marine Corps leadership as we support the defense strategic guidance, “Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for the 21st Century” issued by the President and Secretary of Defense earlier this year. The Chief of Naval Operations in his “Sailing Directions” has articulated the Navy’s core<br>responsibilities and Navy Medicine stands ready as we move forward at this pivotal time in our history.<br><br>Navy Medicine appreciates the Committee’s strong support of our resource requirements. The President’s Budget for FY2013 adequately funds Navy Medicine to meet its medical mission for the Navy and Marine Corps. We recognize the significant investments made in supporting military medicine and remain committed to providing outstanding care to all our beneficiaries. Moving forward, we must innovate, position our direct care system to recapture private sector care and deliver best value to our patients. Driving these changes is critical and necessary, but not sufficient. The Secretary of Defense has articulated that the current upward trajectory of health care spending within the Department is not sustainable. Accordingly, the President’s Budget includes important health care proposals designed to address this situation, including adjustments in TRICARE fees. The Department of Navy supports these proposals and believes they are important for ensuring a sustainable and equitable benefit for all our beneficiaries. We deliver one of the most comprehensive health benefits available and these changes will help us better manage costs, provide quality, accessible care and keep faith with our beneficiaries. As the Navy Surgeon General, I appreciate the tremendous commitment of our senior leaders in this critical area and share the imperative of controlling costs and maintaining an affordable and sustainable benefit."<br></p>
<br>Subjects: humanitarian assistance; Iraq; Afghanistan; military medicine; Congressional testimony; insurance</div>
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U.S. Navy. Bureau of Medicine and Surgery</div>
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