WASHINGTON—Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle, The Surgeon General, fielded questions as a subject matter expert on Army Health Care at the Association of the United States Army’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Exposition on Oct. 15, 2019, during the Senior Leaders’ Town Hall session of AUSA’s Military Family Forum.
The senior leaders were the Honorable Ryan D. McCarthy, Secretary of the Army, Gen. James C. McConville, Chief of Staff of the Army, and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston.
McConville is making “People”—Soldiers, families, and civilians—his priority and focusing on five issues: housing, health care, child development centers and child youth services, spouse employment, and change-of-duty station household moves.
After brief opening statements by the three senior leaders, the floor was open to questions from about 400 in the audience. One or more subject matter experts for each of McConville’s five priority issues were on hand to respond to questions.
On behalf of the senior leaders, Dingle responded to questions regarding TRICARE, behavioral health care for children of Army families, change in administrative management of Army healthcare facilities to the Defense Health Agency, and access to pain management medicine and care.
Dingle made it clear that concerns were being listened to. After the forum, he spoke privately with several individuals whose health-related issues were of a confidential nature to help guide them toward assistance. “You have a voice,” Dingle said.