WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken last night requesting equal access to Walter Reed treatment facilities for all State victims experiencing symptoms of anomalous health incidents, also known as “Havana Syndrome.” Their letter follows reports that the Department of State has not accommodated requests by some State Department employees to receive treatment for their symptoms at Walter Reed, which is broadly recognized as the center of excellence to treat victims of directed energy attacks. The Senators asked Blinken to investigate why State has refused access to some of its employees and to take action to ensure State employees have equal access to the best treatment options.

“We are particularly concerned that some State Department employees with such symptoms who have been recommended for treatment have been refused access to Walter Reed National Medical Military Care Center by the Department of State, despite their requests to be seen at Walter Reed. We request that you investigate why this happened and undertake efforts to ensure State Department employees and their dependents have the same access to care as AHI victims from the Department of Defense,” the Senators wrote.

“Although not all victims may wish to proceed with treatment at Walter Reed, we believe that equity in access to care must be a foundational principle in responding to the needs of victims. No victim must feel that there is a difference in treatment options as a result of their employing agency,” they concluded. “We see no reason why the State Department and DoD cannot allow for equity for all government employees in access to care at Walter Reed.”

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