LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, Germany -- The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center team recognizes that those who rely on the Military Health System are concerned about how the government shutdown will impact their health care. In the short term, the impact should be minimal. The LRMC team remains committed to providing our patients high quality and safe healthcare as we work toward an orderly shutdown.

Most patient services will remain open, such as emergency, inpatient, specialty care, pharmacy and more. Patient appointments that were made before the close of business Friday Jan. 19 and are scheduled from Monday Jan. 22 to Friday Jan. 26 should still be honored, although some services like elective surgeries may be curtailed. If any patient appointments or procedures are cancelled, patients will be contacted by phone and possibly email.

Most patient services will also remain available at LRMC and our six Army Health Clinics in Baumholder, Kaiserslautern, Wiesbaden in Germany, SHAPE and Brussels in Belgium and Vicenza, Italy. Patients should check their clinic's social media sites for current information.

The entire LRMC team appreciates our patients' understanding while we navigate through these fiscal uncertainties as some services may be reduced and wait times could increase. Our patients can be confident that our quality and standard of care will not be compromised or diminished as we work through necessary adjustments resulting from furloughs.

Patients may continue to schedule appointments by phone or online at www.TRICAREonline.com, although some future appointments may be canceled.

Patients can also continue to rely on healthcare provided by the trusted TRICARE network partners throughout the local economy.

All LRMC staff members should report to work for their next regularly scheduled shift. Some civilian employees may be furloughed, but their section leadership will notify them when they report for work. Civilians on leave should be contacted by their supervisors to talk about their plan of action.

"We have some of the finest civilian personnel in the Army and everyone is a valuable part of our mission," said LRMC Commander Col. Timothy Hudson. "Without the entire team, we cannot function as smoothly and effectively as our patients deserve. We are working to minimize the impact on patient care while we take care of our team."