Congressman Cummings: Health Care for Wounded Soldiers Must be Equal to Their Sacrifices

Congressman Cummings: Health Care for Wounded Soldiers Must be Equal to Their Sacrifices

Today, U.S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, applauded the decision to relieve the commanding general of Walter Reed Army Medical Center of his command but expressed concern about continuing substandard care for wounded veterans.

He released the following statement:

"The decision to relieve Major General George W. Weightman of his command of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center is a step in the right direction to improve military care, but I fear that the problems uncovered at Walter Reed are not the only instances in which military health care is falling short of the needs of those returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Today, during a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, I questioned Donald C. Winter, the Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations, and General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, about the actions being taken to treat soldiers with traumatic brain injuries and other serious combat wounds.

"The recent ABC-news special report with Bob Woodruff, 'To Iraq and Back,' highlighted the challenges faced by soldiers with brain injuries face, particularly if they reside in locations that are not located close to advanced Veterans Administration (VA) facilities. The special also examined the extent of traumatic brain injury - which in many cases goes unrecognized until a soldier returns to the United States and finds himself or herself experiencing disturbing and unexplained symptoms.

"In response to my question specifically on the treatment of soldiers and marines with traumatic brain injury, General Conway confirmed that there are difficulties delivering services to those who did not live near large VA facilities. He also indicated that no specific plans have been developed to ensure that all soldiers with traumatic brain injuries get all of the rehabilitative services they require.

"Other recent reports highlight the unacceptable bureaucratic challenges some in the military have faced in obtaining health care services or in securing disability benefits.

"As a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I too often encounter instances in which the military has not done all that needs to be done to provide the best possible care to our soldiers and marines - and I am deeply troubled that the Armed Services are now restricting the access of soldiers and marines not only to the media but even to their own Members of Congress.

"The media uncovered the details of the circumstances under which veterans receiving treatment at Walter Reed were living in unacceptable conditions and facing obstacles to obtain care. If soldiers and marines face such conditions in any U.S. military health facility, they need to be able to bring their experiences to the attention of at least those who represent them in Congress.

"Echoing Abraham Lincoln, our nation's duty is 'to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.' Any time our nation fails to meet this duty by neglecting to provide the best possible care to wounded soldiers, we deprive these brave men and women of the chance to fully recover from their injuries and to resume their lives.

"Further, those who have suffered traumatic brain injuries and other injuries whose effects will last a life time must, as Mr. Woodruff said, receive 'support that matches their sacrifice.' These soldiers have earned this support, and those who volunteer for our Armed Forces now need to know that we will keep our promises to them both while they are in the fight and if they return from the fight wounded - and that this promise will last their entire lives.

http://www.house.gov/cummings/press/07mar01b.htm