President Barack Obama announced in a Town Hall Meeting March 19 that the federal economic stimulus package will provide approximately $563 million to build a new military hospital at Camp Pendleton.

Obama stated that the $563 million will come from the Defense Department’s portion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. The Recovery Act includes approximately $7.4 billion in Defense-related appropriations, which accounts for less than 1 percent of the total $787 billion stimulus package signed Feb. 17 by President Obama. The new hospital will replace the current Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, which was designed in 1969 with construction completed in 1974.

According to the DoD, the new hospital is one of the two largest DoD projects to be constructed under the AARA.

“Construction of this state-of-the-art facility now, will better serve the Camp Pendleton community and be a great boon to the local economy,” said Col. James B. Seaton III, commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

The location of the new multi-story replacement naval hospital is being analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act process, and includes a site at the South Mesa portion of the base in the vicinity of the Oceanside gate, commissary and exchange complex to allow easy access for patients. 

It will provide the latest in inpatient and outpatient technology, and improve the ability to remain fully operational after an earthquake. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2010. The building should be complete in 2013 and equipped and fully operational by 2014.

“Navy Medicine proudly provides top quality health care for sailors and Marines around the world. This new facility will ensure that we comply fully with new seismic safety standards and continue to deliver the most advanced medical care to the growing population of Marines, sailors, family members, and retired service members on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.  We sincerely appreciate the support of our nation’s leaders for this important project,” said Rear Adm. Christine S. Hunter, commander, Navy Medicine West.

The replacement naval hospital will continue to provide the full spectrum of medical care from maternity and newborn care to adult intensive care. This includes an inpatient medical facility, ancillary departments, emergency care, primary care, and specialty care clinics. The construction project will also include a parking structure. The exact number and types of inpatient beds required will be finalized based on ongoing reviews of current and future patient needs.

“The care of our wounded warriors is paramount,” said Navy Capt. C. Forrest Faison III, commanding officer, NHCP. “This new hospital will provide an environment to continuously provide the latest in care, and a ‘medical home’ for those recovering from physical or psychological injuries.”

Care will continue uninterrupted in the current facility until the new building is complete and fully equipped.  The current facility is well maintained and will be considered for alternate use.

“This new hospital will serve our Marines, sailors, families and retirees well into the second half of the 21st century,” said Seaton.