The Ohio Adjutant General s Department and the Ohio Department of Health have created a unique partnership to allow Ohio National Guard medical personnel to provide free health services in Ohio communities while providing training and professional development opportunities for members of the National Guard.
All services are free to all Ohio residents, with no income requirements or restrictions.
The Chief of the National Guard Bureau enters into an agreement with Ohio s Governor and state or county health departments or other service agencies to carry out two weekend-long GuardCare events. Services are typically provided by more than 70 certified doctors, dentists and qualified health care personnel who serve in the Guard one weekend a month and two weeks per year. The Ohio National Guard and numerous other community-based organizations partner to design these services to support and assist local health care providers. They are not designed to replace them. GuardCare is a clear example of how the military is applying wartime assets for the good of U.S. citizens by closing the gap for those who need health care and cannot afford it.