Walter Reed woes bring turmoil at the top

....neglent,inadequate funding,and privatization.... :whipping: http://www.calnurse.org/media-center/in-the-news/2007/march/page.jsp?itemID=29839835

"The Bush Administration can fire a general or two, but until it shows the same commitment to caring for the war wounded and the rest of our nation's health that it does in waging war, Walter Reed will just be another name on a growing list of shame."

Deborah Burger, RN
Huffington Post
March 6, 2007

IMHO, Burger is another liberal democrat spouting anti-Bush sentiment and using the bad WRAMC publicity for a platform towards her own agenda.

Let me assure everyone the acute healthcare provided to active duty & their dependents, retirees & their dependents, as well as the medically boarded is TOP NOTCH, at least at Madigan Army Medical Center, Ft Lewis, WA. I have seen nothing but outstanding healthcare provided in the Intensive Care Units and Stepdown Units where my wife & I work.

I'm thankful not to be PCS at Walter Reed! WRAMC is slated under BRAC in the future to be dissolved and the area healthcare duties to be taken over by Bethesda [National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland]. IMHO, this dissolvement would be a huge mistake, but what do I know I'm just a Company Grade Army Nurse Corps officer. Anyway, it stands to reason, although not a legitimate alibi, that the barracks housing the medical hold Soldiers would get ignored of needed upgrades in lieu of pending dissolvement. Is this the direct fault of MG Weightman? I seriously doubt it! Is it not Congress that holds back $$$ for the DoD? Or, is it the liberal democrats that don't have a clue? IMHO, the VA system as a whole needs some looking into, as well.

In the wake of the continuing scandal over the housing and medical evaluation process for wounded service members at WRAMC, House and Senate Democrats have unveiled a sweeping bill promising comprehensive reforms of how combat veterans and their families are treated. The Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act; the bill would mandate housing standards for the wounded, overhaul disability review boards, require one caseworker for every 20 recovering service members, extend job protections for service members to include family members who are at their side during recovery, demand that an ombudsmen be available around the clock by phone and in any hospital with more than 100 patients, and create a new independent oversight board to monitor how recovering service members are treated.

The Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act is an opportunity for the Democrats to shine, or save face. I say save face because w/o the funds, or manpower we at the local level have our proverbial hands tied behind our back. Regardless, I do support such a bill, no matter who is doing the backing. However, the problem is not just at the Army Medical Centers! A shortage exist in being able to care for the medically discharged at the VA hospitals, too! The VA hospitals are understaffed and lack the funds to properly care for those medically boarded in need of long term care. IMHO, MG Weightman was probably the immediate fall guy for WRAMC.

Again, please don't think poorly of the Army Medical Department, at least at the acute level because we provide the upmost best healthcare to our Soldiers, as well as all other US Armed Forces troops!

Respectfully,
Cary James Barrett, 1LT(P) AN

P.S. My apologies to our members that follow the democratic party line. You are still Americans, for which I defend the right to free speech and the American way of life. Please, understand I believe very strongly in my career as an Army Nurse Corps officer. If, I seem on edge it is because I'm deploying to Iraq within the month with anticipated return in April 2008. My request, you may not support the Bush Administration, but please, please support the US Troops & their dependents. Thank you.

MagRedC5
:goodjob:

Before we go bashing whomever is in the White House, realize FDR did the same about PH. Regardless, without our troops and Constitution, we would NOT be able to post like we have been doing.

I just hope we all would stay united for our guys.

'Cat'

I understand MagRedC5 taking umbrage following the post by:
Deborah Burger, RN
Huffington Post
March 6, 2007

To me its all politics and about money. I'm glad this came to light so our troops can get better facilities for whatever the reason. I have no doubt the troops were and are receiving quality care at Walter Reed. My wife a critical care manager there from 1994 to 1998. I was at Bethesda and the Pentagon at the same time and visited regularly. Personally I think the general was scapegoated but the brass know if things go south they are likely to take the heat for the politicians. Part of the risk they take for the big responsibility.
thanks for listening.

....serving under leadership tainted by scandal .... :hung: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/03/tnsharvey070302/

Don't understand exactly where mared is coming from with the posts so far. Brass at both Walter Reed and the Pentagon have admitted that some mistakes were made and things should have been attended to earlier. It's normal for someone to take the fall and several have been axed. The problems being addressed at Walter Reed are mostly outpatient issues not in-patient hospital issues. The facilities at Walter Reed are old and barely being maintained. It would take billions of dollars to refurbish Walter Reed and keep it open. One of the biggest issues when I was in Washington was maintenance of the facility. The spotlight is on Walter Reed and that only means something good will happen for the troops whether its because some political party wants to get elected or wants to make the other party look bad.

Maj. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker will be good for Walter Reed and his retired brother Peter was a super supporter of Walter Reed. I assume mared is trying to make some postive statement and not just bashing the military. thanks for listening

:endof:

Consider this your LAST warning for inappropriate behavior. - MagRedC5

tell me something /you piece **** .....

Mared,

If you cannot voice your opinion in a civil manner, then you need to go somewhere else.

Your agenda with the Bush administration is apparent. That is fine. But don't carry it over to our soldiers and those DOING THEIR JOB, PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO SPOUT OFF NONSENSE.

If you cannot play nice, then you will not play at all.

We all have full time jobs to do, one of them is not babysitting posters on here who can't keep their political opinions out of the rest of their lives.

If you can't keep your political agenda to yourself, please refrain from posting. I will not allow you to attack others on here, ESPECIALLY someone who is about to go to Iraq for a year to defend your very right to free speech...which I should remind you does not pertain to posting on a privately owned message board.

Thanks.

thack you , aron