Army surgeon general (Kiley) scrutinized in Walter Reed case

[babylonsister]

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-veterans8mar08,1,3967071.story?coll=la-news-a_section

Army surgeon general scrutinized in Walter Reed case
Rep. Young and others cast blame on Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, a former head of the military hospital, and look to him for answers.
By Adam Schreck, Times Staff Writer
March 8, 2007

WASHINGTON — On frequent trips to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Rep. C.W. "Bill" Young said he and his wife found wounded soldiers who didn't have adequate clothes, even one doing his rehabilitation in the bloody boots he had on when he was injured.

One soldier, ashamed that his mattress was soaked with urine, tried to turn Young's wife away, the Florida Republican recalled Wednesday. Another with a serious brain injury fell out of bed and hit his head three times before someone was assigned to ensure it didn't happen again.

On the third day of hearings on Walter Reed, Young told Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, the Army's top medical officer, and other brass that he repeatedly took his concerns to officials. Young didn't raise them in public, he said, because he didn't want to undermine patients' confidence or the military. But now he and other lawmakers want answers.

And there's no one they hold more accountable than Kiley, who headed the U.S. military's premier hospital from 2002 to 2004. Last week, Kiley was appointed interim commander of Walter Reed but was removed a day later. He remains the Army's surgeon general.

"While we have dedicated people, they're working in a system that is failing our soldiers," Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said at the first of two hearings at which Kiley testified Wednesday. Calling Walter Reed "just the tip of the iceberg," Murray detailed fresh reports of poor treatment at a military hospital in Washington state. "Gen. Kiley, you're in charge of this system. I hold you accountable," she said. "I'm here today because I want answers."

more...

[salin]

1. read this TPM item from last weekend:

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/012762.php

esp the explanation as to why Kiley - at least temporarily was put in charge if WR.

Then recall his "defense" on Monday... "I wasn't aware..." "Poor communication/information prevented him from 'knowing' about the conditions". Claimed complete ignorance - making Young's testimony that much more significant.

[babylonsister]

2. I want to see Kiley go down for this; he's the pig that blamed the

infestation of rats and roaches on the soldiers because they ate in their rooms. :eyes:
He's a pro at trying to pass the buck; I hope it doesn't work.

[salin]

3. The issue is now too high profile

he will go down - in disgrace. But then he will certainly get a cushy, high paying corporate job - so no pain for him except a little bit of embarassment to suffer for a short period of time. Nothing compared to what he has allowed to happen to those under his care.