Hawley Urges Defense Health Agency Not to Downgrade Fort Leonard Wood’s Community Hospital

Hawley Urges Defense Health Agency Not to Downgrade Fort Leonard Wood's Community Hospital

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Acting Director of the Defense Health Agency Dr. David J. Smith urging him not to downgrade Fort Leonard Wood's newly built hospital, citing readiness and training issues.

Senator Hawley wrote, "I write with great concern over reports that the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is considering downgrading the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital to a clinic. I urge you to reconsider this and ensure that Fort Leonard Wood keeps its newly built hospital."

He continued, "As you are no doubt aware, the DHA also moved to downgrade Fort Leonard Wood's hospital under the previous Administration. I demanded Secretary Austin reverse course then, and have continued to remain engaged on the issue. Downgrading this hospital would seriously harm soldiers, their families, and the broader community. It would jeopardize Fort Leonard Wood's critical role as a major Army training center, including for Basic Combat Training and numerous advanced specialties."

Senator Hawley concluded, "The DHA has previously considered downgrading this hospital as a cost savings measure, but in point of fact such a move would represent the abandonment of over $400 million in recent investments to upgrade Fort Leonard Wood's medical facilities. It would also impose additional costs on servicemembers assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, who would have to travel long distances to receive anything more than outpatient services. A downgrade of this facility should not happen. I urge you to reconsider and reverse any determinations that have been made to do so. You must act to protect a hospital that is critical to servicemembers and constituents in my state."

Read the full letter here or below.

Dr. David J. Smith
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and Acting Director, Defense Health Agency
7700 Arlington Blvd., Suite 5101
Falls Church, VA 22042

Dear Dr. Smith,

I write with great concern over reports that the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is considering downgrading the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital to a clinic. I urge you to reconsider this and ensure that Fort Leonard Wood keeps its newly built hospital.

As you are no doubt aware, the DHA also moved to downgrade Fort Leonard Wood's hospital under the previous Administration. I demanded Secretary Austin reverse course then, and have continued to remain engaged on the issue.

Downgrading this hospital would seriously harm soldiers, their families, and the broader community. It would jeopardize Fort Leonard Wood's critical role as a major Army training center, including for Basic Combat Training and numerous advanced specialties.

The DHA has previously considered downgrading this hospital as a cost savings measure, but in point of fact such a move would represent the abandonment of over $400 million in recent investments to upgrade Fort Leonard Wood's medical facilities. It would also impose additional costs on servicemembers assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, who would have to travel long distances to receive anything more than outpatient services.

A downgrade of this facility should not happen. I urge you to reconsider and reverse any determinations that have been made to do so. You must act to protect a hospital that is critical to servicemembers and constituents in my state.

Sincerely,

Josh Hawley
U.S. Senator

###

Issues