KENNEDY ON THE CREATION OF JOINT PATHOLOGY CENTER

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following the establishment of a Joint Pathology Center, a result of the conference report findings for the National Defense Authorization Act. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) specializes in pathology consultation, education and research. Its services are critical to providing high quality care in the veterans and military health care systems and in the civilian community through second opinion pathology consultations. Despite the Base Realignment and Closure Commission’s finding that the Armed AFIP) is “integral to the military and civilian medical and research community,” the DoD determined that it will disestablish several of the core functions of AFIP, including in-house pathology consultation services. The conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 includes language to carry on the functions of AFIP by establishing the Joint Pathology Center. "For many years, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology has made major contributions to the health of our military personnel, veterans, and civilians alike. I'm please that the conference report establishes a Joint Pathology Center to continue the lifesaving work of this extraordinary national resource."

###