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."