Legislation Would Repeal Walter Reed Closure

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/06/AR2007030600603.html

Legislation Would Repeal Walter Reed Closure

By Steve Vogel
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 7, 2007; Page A05

Revelations of shoddy facilities and bureaucratic nightmares at Walter Reed Army Medical Center have tarnished the reputation of the renowned military hospital. But they may also have given the 98-year-old facility a second life.

The furor surrounding the treatment of wounded soldiers has prompted some lawmakers, veterans and Army officials to ask: Why is the Defense Department closing Walter Reed -- where more than 6,000 soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan have been treated since 2002 -- in the middle of a war with mounting casualties?

Congress approved and President Bush signed into law the recommendation of the federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission in 2005 that Walter Reed be closed and consolidated with the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, where a $2 billion expansion is being planned.

The debate has been fueled by testimony from Army officials that the problems in outpatient care have been exacerbated, in part, by the planned closure in 2011. Commanders said this has created "instability" at the hospital and made it difficult to keep a good work force, which is two-thirds civilian.

"The BRAC pressure is clear," agreed Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.). "What it does is send the signal to everybody: Go look for another job because we think it's going to close down." Norton said she will introduce legislation seeking to repeal the planned closure of Walter Reed.

The issue also arose at a hearing yesterday before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I have concerns, as we go through this long war, about taking down capacity that may be needed," testified Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, the Army chief of staff.

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[MADem]

1. They need BOTH facilities, IMO.

A lot of retired people in the metro DC area, who don't have cars, used to use WR for their care. As those folks die off, they're going to be replaced by these poor kids for now, and maybe later, if they stay in the area.

Now, they can't even handle their military acdu outpatients, as we've learned.

The Bethesda campus is not easily accessible, not like Walter Reed is. It's a haul to get there.

They were in the process of divvying up specialties before this BRAC shit went down, and what was happening is that each facility was excelling in particular medical areas. It has gone from good to horrible in six short years...

[Monkeyman]

2. One Reason Walter Reed is still in Trouble

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggs_e1uGxss

[Monkeyman]

3. And here is the reason every man and woman who served is in deep shit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia4PA5lam7s

[babylonsister]

4. HAs anyone posted those videos on DU? If you want them there

and need help, let me know.

[Monkeyman]

5. No I posted them as two reasons the Vets and troops are in deep shit