Sanders Joins Effort to Address Deficiencies at Walter Reed and Improve Care for Returning Service Members

Sanders Joins Effort to Address Deficiencies at Walter Reed and Improve Care for Returning Service Members

Washington DC--Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) today joined Senator Barack Obama and Senator Claire McCaskill in sponsoring the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act, legislation which would help to ensure that service members at Walter Reed and elsewhere receive the treatment, care, and services they deserve. The bill requires immediate improvements to the Walter Reed Medical Center and directs the DOD to slash red tape and reduce the logistical, financial and emotional burdens the current system places on recovering service members and their families. Sanders visited the Walter Reed facility, including Building 18, yesterday and met with soldiers, families, and officials.

Sanders, a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs said, "The conditions brought to light in the recent Washington Post series on the residential facilities are appalling and absolutely unacceptable. The brave men and women who have served this country deserve the best medical and mental health care available and this legislation will help ensure that they receive the treatment and services they deserve. Sadly, these problems at America's flagship military hospital are symptomatic of the absolute failure of the Administration to provide the care and benefits that our current service members and our veterans have earned through their sacrifice for the nation."

Specifically, the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act will require improvements to facilities and inspections; reduce paperwork and eliminate red tape for recovering service members; and improve counseling services for soldiers their families. The bill also provides for a Wounded Warrior Oversight Group to monitor progress and ensure that our recovering service members receive the highest quality of care.

Sanders said, "I am even more dismayed by today's Washington Post article, which concludes that high ranking officials in the Administration knew of the problems at Walter Reed and did nothing to rectify them. Our soldiers deserve better and we must act immediately to make sure the government stands by them throughout their recovery process at home."

During Sanders visit to the Walter Reed Medical Center, he examined the conditions at the center and visited with the wife of Sergeant Archie Benware, an injured service member from Bethel, Vermont who is currently receiving treatment at Walter Reed.

tp://www.sanders.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=269949