Statement of Subcommittee Chairman Vic Snyder
Military Personnel Subcommittee
Hearing on Walter Reed
June 26, 2007
"The purpose of today's hearing is for members to get an update on what has happened at Walter Reed since the full Armed Services Committee hearing in March.
"To refresh everybody's memory, in late February the Washington Post published a story titled, "Soldiers Face Neglect, Frustration at Army's Top Medical Facility." In the following weeks a series of shortcomings at Walter Reed were revealed, such as substandard living conditions, inadequate management of outpatient medical care, and poor follow-up from the wounded soldiers' chain of command.
"Many members were concerned that these problems were not limited to Walter Reed, but that this was actually a sentinel event that raised the possibility of similar failures across the military medical system. This concern was heightened by the fact that both this subcommittee and the full committee had expressed concern during earlier hearings, dating back to 2005, about many of the same issues found at Walter Reed.
"Since then, the Independent Review Group set up by Secretary of Defense Gates following the revelation at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center has completed its review and released its findings. We are fortunate to have both of the Independent Review Groups co-chairs with us today. Mr. Togo West is a former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as well as a former Secretary of the Army. Mr. John Marsh is also a former Secretary of the Army, as well as a former member of this body. Gentlemen, welcome.
"During this hearing we will also get an update on what steps the Army has taken to remedy conditions at Walter Reed, and to hear how the Army plans to address or preclude similar problems at other medical facilities.
"I should also mention that while we have had Army leaders testify about Walter Reed before the Committee previously, we have here today new leaders. With us are General Cody, Vice-Chief of Staff of the Army, who has been tasked by the Acting Secretary of the Army with oversight of the Army's Medical Action Plan; Major General Gale Pollock, the Acting Army Surgeon-General; Major General Eric Schoomaker, Commander of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Brigadier General Michael Tucker, Deputy Commander of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and; Colonel Terrence McKenrick, Commander of the Warrior Transition Brigade.
"This entire episode has demonstrated the power of focus. Throughout this process, virtually everyone, wounded soldiers, family members, commissioners, have had nothing but good things to say about the quality of inpatient care wounded soldiers have received at Army hospitals: our military hospitals are among the best in the world. However, once soldiers leave the focused care environment of the hospital and continue their treatment as outpatients, the system has appeared unable to provide the same level of support and focus.
"The challenge for all of us is to ensure that the military health care system remains focused on the recovery of our wounded soldiers across the continuum of care. They deserve no less."
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