Addressing the Walter Reed Scandal

This week President Bush announced a new commission to investigate the appaling treatment of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The commission will be joint headed by former Veteran and Senator Bob Dole and Donna Shalala from the Clinton administration.

Thats nice, of course, but if the President hopes to get to the bottom of this national travesty, perhaps he could save some energy and take a look into the mirror.

The VA and military hopitals have always been underfunded, yet these problems were accelerated by a war that has created over 15,000 and counting life-long injuries. Because Bush, Rumsfeld, and Cheney always expected it to be quick and easy, the administration had no comprehensive plan to tend to the massive increase of injured soldiers that their war created. Instead, the task was out-sourced to private companies, concerned for profit rather quality.



Recent reports from the Washington Post suggest the administration's preference for contracting work to IAP Worldwide Service contributed to the decline in service. From January 2006 to January 2007, the number of facilities management workers at Walter Reed declined from 180 to 100. IAP has extensive connections to the Bush administration and (gasp) Halliburton. Former Treasury Secretary John Snow chairs the managment firm that owns IAP.

But enough finger pointing, we have one of the greatest embarassments in our nation's history staring us in the face. Democrats and Republicans alike need to address this moral challenge. Democrats in Congress plan to propose a $3.5 billion increase in Veterans funding in an upcoming war funding bill. Considering we spend have spent about $426.8 billion in Iraq, I find that number to be figure to be embarassingly small.

And problems of care transcend Walter Reed. Army hospitals across the country face similiar conditions. The VA's record is indeed far worse due to even greater neglect from Congress and the President in the Federal Budget.

Any efforts to improve conditions must be big and sweeping. They must represent the same magnitude of will and dedication that our brave servicemen and women have showed overseas. The VA's budget must increase tenfold and Bush's tax cuts ought to end to pay for this. Congressional oversight of the VA and DoD hospitals must ensure reform. It is a matter of national priorities. For too long, uniformed service men and women have payed the sole cost for Iraq and Afghanistan. If that doesn't change soon, America's moral integrity will cease to exist.