WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement after reviewing a report from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) that summarized plans to restructure 50 military hospitals and clinics across the country. Keesler Medical Center was excluded from this list after undergoing a review late last year.

“This report is positive news for the thousands of service members, veterans, and community members who rely upon Keesler Medical Center. I will continue to fight any attempts to downgrade its capabilities,” Wicker said.

Wicker invited Barbara Barrett, the Secretary of the Air Force, to visit Keesler Air Force Base in November. She toured the base, including Keesler Medical Center.

The DOD’s report, titled "Restructuring and Realignment of Military Medical Treatment Facilities," was mandated by Section 703 of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.

Read the full release from the DOD here.