Treatment of Veterans at Walter Reed

Senator Wyden is appalled by the recent revelations of filthy living conditions and the bureaucratic red tape service members face when receiving outpatient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Some of the problems at Walter Reed can be traced back to the President’s privatization of the maintenance staff at the facility.  Senator Wyden voted to stop the contracting out of the maintenance jobs as an amendment to the fiscal year 2007 Defense Appropriations bill.  Unfortunately, this amendment was defeated.

As a result, the Administration hired IAP Worldwide Services to conduct maintenance at Walter Reed.  The company replaced the 300 maintenance workers with a private staff of 50 employees to do the same level of work.  The result of this misguided privatization was that the buildings housing returning soldiers literally fell apart from neglect.

This scandal is finally focusing much needed attention on the quality of health care for returning service members.  Several congressional committees have held hearings on this and more are scheduled.  The Administration has promised to establish independent panels to investigate the care being provided to returning soldiers as well.

Senator Wyden believes that everyone involved, no matter how high they are on the chain of command, must be held accountable for their actions.  Several officers responsible for the problems at Walter Reed have been fired, including Army Secretary Francis Harvey and Walter Reed's commander, Major General George Weightman.

Share Your Views with Senator Wyden

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