Cole's Statement on Conditions at Walter Reed

WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Congressman Tom Cole, a member of the House Armed Service Committee made the following statement regarding recent reports of substandard conditions at an outpatient facility at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The full Armed Services Committee will meet to hear testimony concerning the medical center on Thursday.

"Historically, Walter Reed has been known as a first-class medical facility. That is why my colleagues and I were shocked to learn of the squalid conditions that many of our wounded solders have been forced to endure while recovering there. This is an entirely unacceptable situation that must be corrected. I am encouraged to see that the Secretary of Defense has acted swiftly to put in place the personnel and protocols required to immediately address the issue. And I commend the Administration for creating a bipartisan commission to determine where similar problems exist at the other 154 military and VA hospitals across the country and to immediately correct these problems where they do exist."

"The brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces make enormous sacrifices for our citizens and our national security. When they are sick or wounded we owe them the very best health care and medical attention possible. Both the Senate and House will hold hearings today on the unacceptable conditions at Walter Reed, and I am confident we will work together to ensure our wounded soldiers are provided with the first-class medical care they deserve. "

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