Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/23/2010

Question
Hello, My daughter is married to an Airman and they are stationed in England. My daughter is pregnant and is a high risk. She has discovered she has a rare health condition that requires specialists.One of the top specialists is at Stanford  medical center. Her health and baby's health  will require Doctors who know this condition. Can they request to change stations due to her health condition? And come back to states ? her health and life depends on a Doctor in the field. Thank You, very worried Mom and future Grandma

Answer
Kris,
I've dealt with this several times and the answer is always the same.

The AF will not reassign him back to the States just because of that.  The AF does not consider that a hardship requiring humanitarian assignment.  Their standard reply is that local British doctors have the specialists required.

If the AF determined that she absolutely couldn't get the care she needed locally, then they'd sent her to Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.  If AF families stationed anywhere in the world have serious medical problems they'll send them to Wilford Hall.  It's a world-class hospital for inpatient and ambulatory care.  I was sent there after Iraq to remove a bullet from my brain so I can attest to their expertise.

But I seriously doubt she can convince them that there's not one of the required specialists in England.

If she wants to travel back to California at her own expense she's free to do so, but she may be advised not to travel.

I know you'd like to have her home, but believe me it's not going to happen.
I hope all goes well for her.
Colonel H