Medical Care Shortfalls for US Personnel in Japan Trigger Push from Lawmakers for Improvements

Lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon to improve medical care in Japan for U.S. military personnel, families and Defense Department civilians amid ongoing concerns that the lack of access to care is forcing service members and federal civilian employees to leave the country.

The move follows efforts initiated last October by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Defense Health Agency to improve emergency medical services for Americans covered by a Status of Forces Agreement with Japan.

In a letter to the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs and director of the Defense Health Agency, the bipartisan group that includes the chairwoman of the Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee said the issues have not been resolved.