Bush Introduces Commission to Review Military Health Care

American Forces Press Service ^ | John J. Kruzel

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2007 – Americans have a moral obligation to provide the best possible care and treatment to the men and women who serve their country, President Bush told members of the American Legion here today.

In order to ensure that troops get the best care, Bush introduced a new bipartisan presidential commission that will review servicemembers’ health care.

“This review will examine their treatment from the time they leave the battlefield through their return to civilian life as veterans, so we can ensure that we’re meeting the physical and mental health needs involved,” Bush said.

The commission, headed by former Sen. Bob Dole and former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala, currently president of the University of Miami, will conduct a comprehensive review of military medical care. Meanwhile, a separate task force will assess short-term needs, Bush announced.

“As this commission begins its work and considers its recommendations, I’ve also directed the secretary of veterans affairs to lead a task force composed of seven members of my cabinet to focus and respond to immediate needs,” he said.

The president’s announcement comes a day after the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform heard wounded soldiers’ testimonies detailing mismanagement at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

“Many people working at Walter Reed are … dedicated, honorable healers who care deeply about our soldiers,” he said, “Fine doctors, nurses and therapists work day and night to help the wounded.

“Yet some of our troops at Walter Reed have experienced bureaucratic delays and living conditions that are less than they deserve,” he said. “It’s unacceptable to me; it’s unacceptable to you; it’s unacceptable to our country; and it’s not going to continue.”

Bush said he asked Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to asses the situation at Walter Reed and report his findings. “He confirmed that there are problems, real problems,” Bush said. “He’s taken action to address those problems and hold people to account, including relieving the general in charge of the facility and accepting the resignation of the secretary of the Army.”

Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey resigned March 2 in light of the problems at the center, and Army Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, the medical center’s former commander, was relieved of command March 1.

Bush said the bipartisan presidential commission is the “constructive way” to find out if problems similar to those at Walter Reed exist at other military and veterans hospitals.

Related Sites:
Transcript of President Bush's American Legion Speech
Fact Sheet: Taking Care of America's Returning Wounded Warriors

Related Articles:
Army Secretary Resigns in Wake of Walter Reed Outpatient-Care Shortfalls
Bush Forms Commission to Review Troops’ Health Care
Walter Reed Chief Relieved of Command

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!

WAR News at Home and Abroad You'll Hear Nowhere Else!

All the News the MSM refuses to use!

Or if they do report it, without the anti-War Agenda Spin!

[Dog Gone]

If there's a problem, admit it and then fix it.

[Kimmers]

I wish one Senator would step up to the microphone and speak the truth, "The VA hospitals are an example of government run health care. If you in America want universal health care, this is it."

Our elected have known about the conditions of VA hospital's for years. I know reports have been sent to these people and they have chosen to ignore it. This is no way to treat our wounded warriors.

[ml/nj]

Just what we need is another "Commission"!

(Which was the last "Commission" that produced anything of value. I cannot remember.)

This (oversight of military hospitals) was already someones job, maybe even some department's job. Fire all the people who didn't perform their job or performed it poorly (based upon results, not attendance) and hire replacements. We don't need no stinkin' "Commission"!

ML/NJ

[hubbubhubbub]

Instead of fixing the problem, appoint a commission instead to get the problem off the front page.

[paguch]

Typical Bush. Weak Republicans on the 9-11 commission with political operatives for the Democrat party. Weak Dole against political operative from the Clinton team.

Just like passing on Berger Treason and throwing Libby to the Dog's.

Incompetence.

[JB in Whitefish]

"The commission, headed by former Sen. Bob Dole and former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala, currently president of the University of Miami, will conduct a comprehensive review of military medical care. Meanwhile, a separate task force will assess short-term needs, Bush announced."

The "commission" will discover that the "task force" BLEW enough money setting up offices and buying laptops, filled with GI's personal info that they had no FUNDS left over to paint the mold a fresher shade of green.....

[FLOutdoorsman]

If you commission it, it will go away.

Congress is the one that is in charge of oversight. They should be dragged out and do sum' xplaining'.

[Freee-dame]

The VA hospitals are an example of government run health care. If you in America want universal health care, this is it."

Fred Barnes said about this exact thing tonight on Brity Hume's FoxNews 6 o'clock show. Mara Laison and Mort Kondrake almost jumped at him.

Their examples of well-run government medical care were Medicare and Medicare Part D. These, however, are just money-pass throughs. People get their medical care from private doctors.

Why can't some Republican stand up and say that the pictures were all taken in Building 18, which is NOT on the campus of Walter Reed, but located in an old motel across a main thoroughfare in DC. I think that its maintenance and cleaning are contracted out to DC union workers. No one mentioned that. Is Bush afraid he'll lose the DC union vote?

Now we have a commission headed by a tough Dem and a go-along Republican. It'll be disgusting.