Panel Fears Problems Go Beyond Walter Reed

Chair Of House Subcommittee Says Similar Problems Are Likely At Other Military Hospitals

(CBS/AP)  Substandard living conditions found at the Army's flagship veterans hospital likely exist throughout the military health care system, the head of a House panel investigating Walter Reed Army Medical Center said Monday.

"We need a sustained focus here, and much more needs to be done," Rep. John Tierney said of a scandal enveloping Walter Reed. Charges of bureaucratic delays and poor treatment there have produced calls in Congress for quick reform.

Tierney said he is afraid "these problems go well beyond the walls of Walter Reed," adding that "as we send more and more troops into Iraq and Afghanistan, these problems are only going to get worse, not better."

A House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee hearing Monday at the hospital brought a wide range of apologies from top-level Army officers and the Army's No. civilian. "We have let some soldiers down," said Peter Geren, the undersecretary of the Army.

Tierney, D-Mass., chairman of the panel, questioned whether problems at the facility are "just another horrific consequence" of inadequate planning that went into war in Iraq; a problem created by contracting out work there to private business, or some other cause.

"This is absolutely the wrong way to treat our troops, and serious reforms need to happen ... immediately," he said.

Geren, who will become acting Army secretary later this week, told the panel that the revelations of poor conditions at Walter Reed had hurt the Army. Defense Secretary Robert Gates forced Army Secretary Francis Harvey to resign last week and he leaves his post on Friday.

Two former commanders at the facility said they accepted responsibility for the failures.

Maj. Gen George W. Weightman, head of Walter Reed from August until he was fired last week said: "You can't fail one of these soldiers ... not one. And we did."

Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, Army surgeon general and head of Walter Reed until 2004, apologized for what he called housing conditions that did "not meet our standards." He said renovations were under way.

He also said a team had been sent to some 11 other installations around the country to make sure there are not similar housing problems.

Lawmakers listened closely as several patients came to the hearing with stories of lax or poor treatment at Walter Reed.

The most riveting testimony came from the wife of a National Guard soldier injured in Iraq, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

"My life was ripped apart the day my husband was injured, and having to live through the mess that we lived through at Walter Reed has been worse than anything I've ever sacrificed in my life," said Annette McLeod.

McLeod told the panel of battling a system that wanted to blame her husband's mental problems not on his head injury but on a preexisting condition.

And she captured exactly why shoddy conditions at Walter Reed have touched such a public nerve, adds Martin.

"This is how we treat our soldiers," said McLeod. "We give them nothing, but they're good enough to go and sacrifice their lives. And we give them nothing."

[dallison7]

"President Bush last week ordered a comprehensive review of conditions at the nation's network of military and veteran hospitals. They have been overwhelmed by injured troops from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"The White House said the president would name a bipartisan commission to assess whether the problems at Walter Reed exist at other facilities."

Pres. Chimp and VP Piglet are scrambling to cover their a$$e$$ on this one. We don't need another of their so called 'bi-partisan' gangs dispensing lies. Go congress!!

[karlimhof]

Ain't it something! We got lose 3000+ American lives, 20'000 wounded, and spend 400 billion US dollars before we know that our vets are getting 3rd class services!

I hope all citizens are outraged by this sign of ingratitude to the backbone of this Nation !

[inventagod]

This 'hospital' was just one of the racks Bu$h was hiding the returning 'war dead'. If our troops died in Iraq, they were 'counted', if they die elsewhere, they weren't...

The brutality of this administration is only exceeded by it's dishonesty...

[frankly6]

In the four plus years of the Iraq war a wave of broken soldiers has returned home to a VA system that is also broken. They've gotten poor treatment and inadequite care. Bush and Co., for their part, cut funding to these institutions. I'm glad that they're lack of real support for the troops is exposed for all to see and that they are embarrased enough to make changes.

[karlimhof]

And I forgot:

thank Bushes War for bringing home to us ...again... the fact that this administration has proved its failed planning and preparation.

[navychief8]

pART 1,

Do you ever think about a fire extinguisher hanging on the wall of your home before a fire occurs? Do you ever inspect it to make sure it is still functioning correctly? Do you even own one?

I use this as an analogy to our Armed Forces. We are the proverbial %u201CFire Extinguisher%u201D that the public never thinks about until we are needed. But remember this: The training and equipping we did yesterday will prepare us to fight the wars of tomorrow. The day we cross the line of demarcation is not the time to say I wish I had this or I wish I had that. We fight with what we have.

How many in the public even thought about how well I was equipped for battle prior to 2004? I can%u2019t tell you how many times I spent money out of my own pocket to make sure I had everything I needed to complete a mission. And this was prior to 9/11. After the cold war ended we cut back our spending on the military (remember the peace dividend), and now it shows. We did this because that was what the public wanted. This is not a Republican or Democratic problem as the cut backs started during the first Bush administration and continued through Clinton%u2019s. Now, all the money we spend is to try and catch up and maintain.

[wayfedup]

had this happened under the CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, the NEOCONS would have been LIVID!! but since it's "theDUBSTER", NO PROBLEM!!!

[observantx]

Kiley needs to go also. Why hasn't he resigned yet? And resigned his commission also?

Ultimately our Chimp in Chief should resign also. But don't count on that. He's too busy helping Cheney aka the "Prince of Darkness" line the well padded pockets of his PNAC handlers and cronies in the oil and war business.

Wasn't there a movie a while back about a slumlord who was made to live in the rat infested and filth encrusted building he owned? Maybe if our kinglet and Laura and Barney had to bunk in Building 18 for a few months, he might get his head on straight.

But don't hold your breath for that either. He's sealed off in his warm comfy bubble that keeps him away from the rest of us.

[navychief8]

Part 2,

After this war ends, will you, the public still care for my and my fellow service men and women%u2019s well being? Or will you the public demand we scale back our spending on the military once again. And again I will go out and spend my money to make sure I and my troops have what is needed to complete the mission.

Our Armed Forces are a mirror image of the society it protects, no better and no worse. So blame the politicians all you want. But I blame you, the public for forgetting about me when I needed you most. Before the fires of war burned.

[us_infidel]

Posted by dallison7 at 10:02 AM : Mar 05, 2007

You are one of the most narrow minded, short sited ditzs I have ever had the misfortune to encounter. If the fried chicken joint you go to for lunch runs of of extra crispy, you'd be blaming Bush, wouldn't you?

Do you not have the brains to realize that the president doesn't oversee the ENTIRE range and scope of every federal government agency? Evidently not.

[wayfedup]

But I blame you, the public for forgetting about me when I needed you most. Before the fires of war burned.


Posted by NavyChief8 at 10:50 AM : Mar 05, 2007

We PAY our taxes, NavyChief,Congress and the Chief Executive decide where it does, or does not go.... And since GWB promised PERMANENT TAX CUTS, feel free to blame HIM, I SURE DO!

[mpl09]

Problems at Walter Reed? Are you kidding me? You should have asked the military spouses that were subjected to delivering their babies at that house of horrors. Thankfully, I was one of the ones that was able to "champus" out in the late '80s. However, friends of mine were subjected to the substandard and barbaric care at that facility. Unwarranted hysterectomies. Women allowed to labor for excessive amounts of time and then having to resort to emergency c-sections. The most barbaric of all, absolutely no epidurals for deliveries. Their history of disregard for patient welfare and comfort is a long one. Thank goodness they and those like them are finally being brought to task.

[usloveit]

I agree with the NavyChief, you love us when your scared but forget us when you feel safe. We are here and alot of us are hurting everyday. Do you care??? NO!!!!!! We have shed a lot of blood for people who dont care. Yes, I am USAF retired disabled vet. Are you??

[navychief8]

Problems at Walter Reed? Are you kidding me? You should have asked the military spouses that were subjected to delivering their babies at that house of horrors. Thankfully, I was one of the ones that was able to "champus" out in the late '80s.

Posted by mpl09

wayfedup,

My point is that this is not a one sided Political problem. This is not a new problem. It has been going on throughout numerous presidencies. You can't just blame Bush however easy it is. What about congress? They have some oversight don't they? If you read and understood what I was saying, that might make sense.

To me as a service member, I see this being politicized.

[nynative1340]

"Do you not have the brains to realize that the president doesn't oversee the ENTIRE range and scope of every federal government agency? Evidently not." Posted by US_Infidel

You have a point there, US_Infidel, but if you keep your hat on, no one will notice!

This Walter Reed FUBAR scandal didn't happen over night; it's been in the news and on the internet for at least 3 years. If he bothered to read, which he doesn't, he would have known about the impending disaster and might have done something about it. But then, I doubt it.

If he could read, Bush mmight also know that "the Walter Reed scandal isn't the first time that Kiley has covered up abuses. He was a point person for the Army's coverup of the torture and degrading treatment of detainees by health professionals, including psychologists, at Guantanamo and other unaccountable military detention sites. He commissioned whitewashed "studies" of the problem that concluded that there wasn't any abuse abetted by health professionals -- even though his investigators never talked to any detainees or their attorneys..."

[navychief8]

usloveit

Well said!

Thank You for your service and sacrifice!

[h0rseracer05]

This problem existed long befor Bush came to power. Clinton, Reagan, Carter, Bush 1 all wanted to cut the Military because of the Pressure by the Anti Military movement....

Remember what happened that Day 9/11, the outcry for war on those responsible....
Well for that there is a cost, Congress is ulitmately responsible and the American Citizen is responsible for them.....Let's see how much the navechief's Nancy Pelosi gets done, sure more rhetoric and sabre rattling and then qauietly they will move on to more important things like, trying to let our Young Brave Men and Women die in the streets of Iraq....with no funds to carry on...............We should all be ashmamed of ourselves for allowing the political climate to become so polarized as to allow the elected officials to do nothing to support our Military and all there needs.......If we are to succeed as a Country we will need to be strong with a strong Military......We need to take responsibility for the mess in Congress, Elect responsible and independent Candidates that are willing to vote their conscience and forget the party.....LET'S ELIMINATE THE PETTY ARGUMENTS YOU HAVE WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT THE PARTIES AND ALL OF THE RHETORIC THAT GOES WITH IT......Stand up for America, not the Hollywood.......

[karlimhof]

We have shed a lot of blood for people who dont care. Yes, I am USAF retired disabled vet. Are you??
Posted by usloveit

No, I am not but I do believe everyone cares about our servicemen and women and are shocked by this revelation.

What I can't understand or accept is a president who has been using the military as his personal backdrop (uniforms, battleships, etc) - and then cuts VA benefits and is not aware of the desparate situation facing vet's health care. This is incomprehenible -

[frankly6]

In the four plus years of the Iraq war a wave upon wave of broken soldiers have returned home to a VA system that is also broken. They've gotten poor treatment and inadequite care. Bush and Co., for their part, cut funding to these institutions.

I'm glad that they're lack of real support for the troops is exposed for all to see and that they are embarrased enough to make changes.

[spargle]

The buck stops here. No, Bushie may not have detailed knowledge of every aspect of every issue. But, they are the ones who wrapped themselves in 'support the troops' and called everyone who questioned anything anti-american. Can't have it both ways guys. Don't blame former administrations - this failed administration started the Iraq debacle and must take the consequences.

[h0rseracer05]

TO ALL THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS NOT CHEAP NOR IS IT FREE, We must be willing to pay the price. We must realize if were it not the US than who, that was WWII. We have kept the Free World Free, Not France or Germany or Spain, they've all either fallen or been the agressor.....It is the United States of America that came to the aid of Europe in its darkest hour. Now the people of Iraq are depending on us, sure it's difficult and those of you that have never served or those that have, but never in a War zone, or like the Chief, safely on a ship out of harms way. Those of that have participated in the gut wrenching, fear and tear inducing confrontations can only say, Shame on You.... When your country is crying our for your help, you run.....Try having some of your best die in front of you or try talking to the kid next to you just after he has taken a bullet through the neck......he'll talk no more.....Yet you fill the streets of our cities with protest and ask our congress to cut off funding.............

I want all of you to think, we did this for you, so you wouldn't have to do it here in this Country. As we did on 9/11

[us_infidel]

This is what you can expect with government healthcare. under the Hitlery "Universal" healthcare plan, this is what we can all expect.
When I was in the military, we went to offbase doctors as much as possible - even though it cost us more.

[dirtydog55]

"But I blame you, the public for forgetting about me when I needed you most. Before the fires of war burned." Posted by NavyChief8

Blame the public all you want NavyChief8; it won't do any good.

I was a Navy Chief (7) in the '80s when Reagan literally fugged the military retiree by giving ex-spouses a large share of their retired pay--for life!! If you were in the Navy then you might remember the 'Chief' who walked away after 22 years rather than split his retired pay. Did the public care? Not one flipping bit. Did the congress care? Not one friggin bit. In fact, congress profited from it.

Did it p h u c k up my life? Not at all. In the 25 years it's taken me to get to the Supreme Court (any day now) I 'got educated' and am now a senior aerospace engineer.

Life in the U.S. military isn't the end of the road, it's just the beginning. I thought serving my country would bring great satisfaction and the earned rewards that I was promised, but it brought neither. If I had it to do over, I would only do the four years that I think EVERYONE should do, and move on.

[navychief8]

Now the people of Iraq are depending on us, sure it's difficult and those of you that have never served or those that have, but never in a War zone, or like the Chief, safely on a ship out of harms way. Those of that have participated in the gut wrenching, fear and tear inducing confrontations can only say, Shame on You.... When your country is crying our for your help, you run...

h0rseracer05 ,

While I agree with much of waht you say, shame on you for your assumpion about myself and the Naval Service! You know nothing of my record of service and you presume that I have served safely onboard a ship!

Did you know that right now, there are personel serving on ships that Vollunteer to serve as members of boarding teams, whos job it is to conduct non-complient boardings of ships on the high seas?

Did you know that I have conducted more than 120 such boardings?

have you ever heard of the Navy's Riverine Force?

the navy SEALS?

Navy EOD?

Naval Mobile Security Detatchments?

I am not one to brag, but I simply do not like it when people make assumptions about the Naval Service.

[frankly6]

What else can you expect from an icompetent administration that is completely disconnected from reality? Support the troops? Bumper sticker slogans don't mend broken bodies and minds.

[navychief8]

h0rseracer05 ,

USS Forrestal
USS Fire Bolt
USS Pueblo
USS Stark
USS Cole
USS Princeton

Look up the history of these safe Sea assignments.

[frankly6]

Support the troops? Freedom ain't free? Stay the course? Freedom's on the march? Mission acomplished? Don't cut n' run? Family Values? Flip Flopper? These colors don't run?

We're having a blow-out sale down here at the GOP Bumper Sticker Emporium! We've lost our lease and everything must go! Come on down while supplies last! At these prices, they won't last long!

[nvme3]

IT IS SAD WHEN OUR SOLDIERS LIVE IN CONDITIONS THAT ARE PROHIBITTED AT GITMO. No the Prez cannot be in all places to oversee every aspect of the the administration. Yet, He is responsible as the chief executive. He is responsible for appointing those do. how many more incompetents do we allow. How many more times will the apologists come out and cover for this idiot? this is not just the libs trying to embarrass the admin. this is the unravelling of our way of life. this is idiocracy at it peak.

[bobgee_1999]

I'm repeatedly told that military people prefer the Republican party, but that confuses me. The bulk of the Republicans in the public eye never served, and the GOP is more likely to send soldiers into harm's way for poor reasons. Find out who served and who didn't: http://www.awolbush.com/whoserved.html

[navychief8]

inventagod,

That "the nazi-looking goober with the eye patch" that you refer to Is a wounded veteran who has made a sacrifice few will ever understand. And he has the courage to stand up and share his experience. you A hole! Your statement only furthers my sentiment that the majority of the public does not really care about Vets. But are willing to use us a political battering ram!

You owe him and all vets an apology

[gunnerv1]

All of the Military's Hospitals are old and decrepit. When was the last Military Hospital built? For that matter when was the last Veteran's Hospital built? These things get old and the more money that gets cut off means that they have to make do with what they have. This started with the Carter Admin. and has never stopped.

[tricorner]

NavyChief8

You forgot the USS Liberty

[observantx]

Navychief8:

I agree. The man is wearing his full dress uniform as required when military personnel appear before Congress. He is in the infantry, as was I, as evidenced by the crossed rifles on his labels and the blue braid at the shoulder. I believe I spot a CIB (Combat Infantry badge) and a Paratroopers Badge. He has 4 "hitch" stripes indicating he has reenlisted 4 times. That plus enough rows of ribbons to indicate he has indeed served his country above and beyond the call.

Anyone vile enough to use the word "Nazi" in reference to this man is an ignorant pissant of an individual not fit to shine this man's shoes.

[bobgee_1999]

superchez1: The term is "Heil Hitler." The wonders of the internet, giving people a forum for their uninformed opinions. Almost like it was customed designed for Ann Coulter. Speaking of which, it's a shame there's no comment section on the article about that imbecile.

[navychief8]

ObservantX ,

heck yeah, your spot on. and if he (the **** ant) had bothered to listen to the Soldiers testimony, he would have heard how he detailed his effort to look out for Troops coming to the Hospital. making sure they knew how to get help. getting them squared away. That shows the leadership and capacity of the enlisted soldier today!

[clemenhagen1]

The Bush Administration is on it, folks. Johnny at the Rathole! Heads is gonna roll, boys. Fire the guy who's done been on the job for six months and replace him with...the guy who held the job for years prior to that? Right. That'll do'er. And the bought and paid for press and the "see no evil" talking-point echo chamber right will assert that change is coming for our deserved soldiers. Right. Just like they really went after the people responsible for Abu Ghraid. "The animals remembered - or thought they remembered?" You know, how a few bad apples now rot in Leavenworth prison while those who ordered the torture never even got investigated. Right.

[clemenhagen1]

"TO ALL THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS NOT CHEAP NOR IS IT FREE, We must be willing to pay the price. We must realize if were it not the US than who, that was WWII. We have kept the Free World Free"
Post by HorseRacer:

Horse, pick up a history book and read. This type of overly simplistic drivel absolutely screams for a historical clarification. Hitler took Sedentenland in 1938 and Poland in 1939. Where were the Republicans? Still screaming isolationism. Roosevelt had to drag the conservatives (some of whom were openly supporting Hitler) into war. We finally got directly involved in December of 1941...by then Hitler had established his infamous Fortress Europe. Which country did more to stop the Nazi war machine than any other? The Soviet Union, at least if the number of deaths and total sacrifice gets factored into the equation. Did U.S. troops and citizens make great sacrifices? Absolutely. But did we single-handedly save the world? The entire premise comes off as absurd if you know the slightest bit about history.

[david1737]

Bottom line. It's time that the GOP stop making excuses. Take a good look at Walter Reed and stop rationalizing! "Its no time to play the blame game" I've heard it enough! No more excuses, please. Take care of business!

Ha! Ha! America has $$Billions for war, but nothing for the vets, nothing for health, nothing for education, nothing for the slums, and ghettos and drug infested barrios.

Lol...I love it, this nation is being destroyed from within because mor people know Paris Hilton than Alexander Hamilton.

Where HO's and Pimps and BITC*ES is considered cool.

Where politicians lie to get into wars and profit on the same wars, where Private security contractors get $20,000 a month while the ordinary grunt gets $1800.

Where uneducated Mexicans are invading by the thousands and thousands of educated are migrating away from America because of hate and ignorance towards them for being from China, or India or Arab nations or Africa etc...

It wont be long when no one worth anything even takes a **** in the direction of America the hateful.

[hadenough3]

When I read that part of the Army's initial response to the WaPo story was to implement a daily 6 a.m. wakeup call and 7 a.m. room inspection for outpatients, my blood just boiled. This amounts to nothing more than mean-spirited harrassment of those the military should bend over backwards to help. Haven't the wounded soldiers suffered enough? I hope the firings don't stop until every single incompetent, callous, punitive jerk is outta there.

Anyone interested in supporting the troops can join booksforsoldiers.com as a registered volunteer. We send not only books, magazines, and DVDs, but snacks, toiletries, and even tampons (for female soldiers stationed in remote areas with no PX)and underwear (for hospitalized soldiers whose clothing has been cut away). It's a good way to put your money where your mouth is.

[dallison7]

If the fried chicken joint you go to for lunch runs of of extra crispy, you'd be blaming Bush, wouldn't you?
Posted by US_Infidel


Fried chicken... hmmm, let me see. Yeah I would if the 'fried chicken joint' ran out of extra crispy because the Chimp did something to cause the problem. Like, for example, causing that problem with military hospitals by taking the funding away from them and giving it to the wealthiest 1% of the population.

Give it up moron, you cannot fight a battle of wits... you're unarmed!!

[lars008-2009]

What Thomas Jefferson learned from the Muslim book of jihad

Thomas Jefferson knew about fascist nazi islam..... he killed plenty of them....

In 1786 Jefferson and John Adams went to negotiate with Tripoli's envoy to London, Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdrahaman or (Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja). They asked him by what right he extorted money and took slaves. Jefferson reported to Secretary of State John Jay, and to the Congress:

The ambassador answered us that [the right] was founded on the Laws of the Prophet (Mohammed), that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have answered their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Mussulman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to heaven.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War
http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan07/jeff_quran.htm
http://www.khouse.org/articles/2007/691/
http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2002_winter_spring/terrorism.htm
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=+Thomas Jefferson barbary
http://http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q= Thomas Jefferson islam
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q= Thomas Jefferson muslim

[david1737]

Hmmm. Bush cuts taxes during war. Gives the majority of the money to the top 1%. There are huge cuts in funding to FEMA=Hurricane Katrina, VA hospitals=Walter Reed! Figure it out people.
A+B=C.

[david1737]

lars008...Good to see your posts are on topic.

[antoniof123]

It has always been my belief that if you are in the military then yes you should be able to get help if you need it. Now as I have know it is not always true. The problem is not Bush but in fact it is because he is in charge. So he must bear the responsibility. You can not support the troops and then cut funding. We who want to cut the military budget do not want to cut the VA or other needed parts of the military what we want to stop is spending 500 billion on Iraq you know that part that makes it so we need to increase the funds to the vets. What a shame that some are convince that we want to take things away from them what we want is to hold the administration accountable for fixing the problems not adding to them.

[clemenhagen1]

So let's get this straight. We have a mess to pretend to be upset about so we fire the guy who's done been on the job for six months and replace him with...the guy who held the job for years prior to that? Very nice. That'll do'er. This coming from the same people who cleaned up Abu Ghraid by going after the little guys instead of the ones truly responsible. "The animals remembered - or thought they remembered?" You know, how a few bad apples now rot in Leavenworth prison while those who ordered the torture never even got investigated. Nothing like cosmetic surgery to repair systemic failure. Oh, and Brownie, you're doing a heckuva job. "There's an old saying in Texas, maybe in Tennessee too - Fool me once..."

[bluestardad]

WELL BOYS 6 YEARS OF REPUBLICAN SUPPORT THE TROOPS OVERSITE HECK OF A JOB GOP!

[bluestardad]

WELL BOYS 6 YEARS OF REPUBLICAN SUPPORT THE TROOPS OVERSITE HECK OF A JOB GOP!

[j-whitman]

Bush,,, I'm surprised you haven't thought of this:
Soylent Green for the masses, in 3 flavors:

1. For the Christians - Made only from the most radical of them, the self- righteous & the most perfect & tenderly niave.
2. For the Mohamadians - From the most radical Muslems known for thier explsoive spices.
3. For the Republicans - From the most helpless & less fortunate morsels - the American majority for thier diversity in flav

[jenniferfry]

If this doesn't prove beyond a shadow of a doubt just how big an *** George W. Bush is, than nothing does.

He doesn't give a *** about our soldiers.
Not one ***.