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OPINION: The Final Word lenges related to quality of life factors GAO made six recommendations that may affect this. Currently, reports on also affects the Coast Guard’s ability to the Coast Guard, among other things, these types of issues are expected to be retain personnel. For example, in April obtain, share, and monitor several released in 2024 and 2025.

2023 GAO found that Coast Guard per- types of data including information on sonnel stationed in remote areas may heath care access and the reasons for experience challenges accessing medi- medical provider recruitment and re-

The Author cal care. Speci? cally, 17 of 43 Coast tention challenges. Doing so would

Guard clinics were located in medi- help the Coast Guard determine what,

MacLeod cally underserved areas, which indicate if any, actions it can take to address a shortage of primary care services. An these challenges and help better ensure additional 11 of 43 were located in ar- its clinics have suf? cient staff to meet eas with a shortage of at least one type its medical mission. Challenges related of health provider—including primary to housing, child care, and education care, mental health, or dental. also affects the Coast Guard’s ability

Coast Guard health of? cials and of? - to retain personnel. GAO has reported cials from selected clinics also reported on issues with the appropriateness of facing persistent staf? ng challenges, the housing allowance for military per- including recruiting and retaining pub- sonnel and has also found that the ris- lic health service providers who typi- ing cost of child care nationwide was cally serve as the medical and dental among the most formidable challenges

Heather MacLeod is a Director providers in Coast Guard clinics. GAO Coast Guard families face. Addition- in GAO’s Homeland Security and found that the Coast Guard had taken ally, military families frequently cited

Justice team. She oversees Coast

Guard and maritime security steps to mitigate this challenge, such as education issues for their children as a issues, including Coast Guard initiating its own Health Service Of? - drawback to military service. workforce and strategic planning cer Program, but it had not examined GAO has additional ongoing studies efforts, and maritime port and reasons for public health service re- reviewing Coast Guard recruitment and supply chain/cargo security.

cruitment and retention challenges. retention efforts and other factors that

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