Senator Marshall Visits Ft Riley Hospital Ahead of New Agreement Expanding Veteran Healthcare in the Flint Hills

Fort Riley - On Friday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), visited Irwin Army Community Hospital (IACH) at Fort Riley in anticipation of a new agreement expected later this month that will expand healthcare access for veterans in the Flint Hills region.

Senator Marshall has worked for more than a year with local, state, and federal leaders to protect Irwin Army Community Hospital's mission and ensure it remains fully equipped to serve both soldiers and Kansas veterans.

"Fort Riley's hospital is not just a critical piece of readiness for our soldiers - it's also a lifeline for families and veterans across the Flint Hills," said Senator Marshall. "For months, I've pushed back on any effort to downgrade services here and fought to bring more resources to this hospital. This upcoming agreement will help ensure veterans can access the care they've earned, close to home, while strengthening Fort Riley's medical mission."

Senator Marshall's visit comes after months of advocacy and coordination with the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), following reports that the hospital could be downgraded to an acute care clinic - threatening emergency, surgical, and maternity care options in the North Central Flint Hills Region.

During a Fort Riley visit last summer, DHA leadership emphasized their commitment to strengthening IACH's future and keeping the hospital at full capacity.

"My goal is to figure out how I can make IACH even more successful," said Acting DHA Director Dr. Stephen Ferrara during the visit. "To me, the definition of success for a hospital is a busy hospital doing high volume, high complexity care."

Background:

Irwin Army Community Hospital provides emergency services, surgical care, and delivery services critical to the Fort Riley community and the broader region. One proposed solution to strengthen staffing and sustain hospital services is an agreement between Fort Riley and the VA to allow more than 17,000 veterans in the North Central Flint Hills Region to access care at Fort Riley.

Senator Marshall's Advocacy for Fort Riley and Kansas Veterans:

• January 10, 2025: Senator Marshall sent a letter to the Defense Health Agency demanding answers after reports that Irwin Army Community Hospital could be downgraded to an acute care clinic.
• April 7, 2025: Senator Marshall raised concerns directly with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and received assurances regarding Fort Riley's hospital mission.
• May 9, 2025: Senator Marshall met with Fort Riley's Commanding General, who emphasized the hospital was the installation's top concern.
• May 14, 2025: Senator Marshall spoke with Acting DHA Director Dr. Stephen Ferrara, resulting in DHA agreeing to conduct an on-site assessment.
• June 4, 2025: DHA staff conducted a pre-visit assessment and concluded that the North Central Flint Hills region has fewer care options than expected.
• June 30, 2025: DHA and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs visited Fort Riley and provided preliminary guidance supporting full emergency, surgical, and maternity services. DHA also acknowledged staffing shortages and discussed potential partnerships with VA to expand access and strengthen services.
• July 7, 2025: Senator Marshall spoke with VA Secretary Doug Collins to advance an agreement connecting Fort Riley with VA services in Kansas.
• July 9, 2025: Senator Marshall joined Senator Moran and Representative Schmidt in a meeting with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs to reinforce Kansas's need for a fully operational hospital at Fort Riley.

Senator Marshall's January 2025 letter to the Defense Health Agency can be found HERE.

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