We ask this committee to support necessary changes to simplify or eliminate outmoded hiring rules and produce a modern, streamlined personnel system, one that is more responsive to our needs. Making such changes now will enable the military treatment facilities to execute innovative business plans designed to provide for the preventive, acute, and chronic health care needs of its beneficiaries. With the passage of the 2001 National Defense Authorization Act expanding health care for a greater number of beneficiaries, the numbers of beneficiaries enrolled in our military health care facilities is expected to rise, as is the severity of illness of our patients. We must act expeditiously in order to allow us to continue to adequately support this critical patient care mission. In an environment of persistent personnel shortages, Army Nurses continue to provide services around the world whenever and wherever they are needed.
Army nurses continue their expert performance in support of the worldwide missions.
These personnel provided direct care to over 339 trauma and major medical patients, including victims of motor vehicle accidents, gunshot wounds, and grenade and mine blast injuries. In the course of providing host nation medical support, the 212th MASH's medical and nursing staff provided weekly visits to the rural town of Gnjilane to instruct the local hospital staff in basic and emergency medical care. Their efforts significantly increased the host nations' ability to provide competent regional healthcare. Such conferences significantly reduced numbers of evacuated patients through prompt diagnoses and treatment and increased unit level education for division medics. Task Force Med Eagle received recognition as a Training Site for the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians.