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US Army Medical Command Addressing Public Affairs Issues During Interesting Times

US Army Medical Command Addressing Public Affairs Issues During Interesting Times. Mr. Jaime Cavazos Senior Public Affairs Supervisor US Army Medical Command, Public Affairs COL Kevin Luster Staff Judge Advocate US Army Medical Command. Agenda. ► Key Players .

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US Army Medical Command Addressing Public Affairs Issues During Interesting Times

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  1. US Army Medical CommandAddressing Public Affairs Issues During Interesting Times Mr. Jaime Cavazos Senior Public Affairs Supervisor US Army Medical Command, Public Affairs COL Kevin Luster Staff Judge Advocate US Army Medical Command

  2. Agenda ► Key Players ► Principles of Information Release ► Access to Patients ► Public Affairs and the Joint Ethics Regulation ► Litigation ► Responding to Requests for Legal Advice ► Open Discussion

  3. Key Players ► Office of the Chief of Public Affairs (OCPA) ► OTSG/MEDCOM Public Affairs Office ► Regional Medical Command Public Affairs Offices ► MTF/Installation Public Affairs Offices ► Legal Advisors

  4. Principles of Information Release ► AR 360-1, The Army Public Affairs Program, 15 September 2000 - Provide unclassified information about the Army and its activities to the public with maximum disclosure and minimum delay. - Do not release information that would adversely affect national security, threaten the personal safety, or invade the privacy of members of the Armed Forces. - Release unfavorable news with the same care and speed as favorable news. Be candid when dealing with the American people. - Ensure that all information provided is accurate. - Take appropriate action to correct erroneous information about the Army that appears in any medium. - Avoid promotional, self-serving releases and events staged solely for publicity purposes. - Protect classified information in accordance with AR 380–5 & Actionable Medical Information. - Election Year Policies, see para 3-4 of AR 360-1 and DODI 5120.4

  5. Access to Patients ► AR 360-1, Paragraph 5-25, Personnel under Treatment in Army Medical Facilities. - Don’t forget the rules under the Privacy Act and HIPAA. - May release the date the patient was admitted to and/or released from the medical facility. - May not disclose specific information about patient’s illness w/o informed written consent. If patient is incapacitated, NOK can authorize release of patient information. - May not release information about or permit interviews with psychiatric or other mental patients.

  6. Public Affairs and the JER ► The Joint Ethics Regulation, DoD 5500.7-R, and Chapters 3 & 4 of AR 360-1 - Chapter 3, Activities, Support to Public Events, and Requests for Access to Military Facilities. - May not play favorites or allow appearance of endorsement - Common sense and good taste will result in public support and confidence in the Army. - Admission, seating, etc. must be available to all without regard to sex, race, creed, color, sexual preference, or national origin. -Support to public events must benefit the Army and conform to the following conditions: - Support cannot interfere with official duty will not detract from operations, training, or readiness. - No additional fee may be charged specifically to observe Army participation. - May not support fundraising and membership drives in violation of JER. - Chapter 4, Public Affairs Resourcing - Official Government functions.

  7. Litigation ► Cases Under Litigation – Refer to OCPA and OTJAG Lit Div. - Examples: - Anthrax Cases - Medical Malpractice Cases - Current Litigation Over Separation of Soldiers w/ PTSD

  8. Responding to Requests for Legal Advice Often, Public Affairs queries are extremely time sensitive. When you are advising the PAO on responding to media or other inquiries, you are assisting the Command in communicating with the public. Therefore, prompt, accurate, thorough legal advice is essential. FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

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