The Army's surgeon general yesterday criticized stories in The Washington Post disclosing problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, saying the series unfairly characterized the living conditions and care for soldiers recuperating from wounds at the hospital's facilities.
"I'm not sure it was an accurate representation," Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, chief of the Army Medical Command, told reporters during a news conference. "It was a one-sided representation."
The Medical Command oversees Walter Reed and all Army health care....
....In another development yesterday, the White House announced that President Bush plans to nominate S. Ward Casscells to replace William Winkenwerder as assistant defense secretary for health affairs. The Pentagon said Winkenwerder's departure was already planned and was not related to problems at Walter Reed.
Has this administration been fair to our soldiers and Marines? They put our fighting men and women in an unnecessary war that was based on lies. They sent our troops to war without adequate body armor and without armored vehicles. They forced members of our military to go on 2, 3, and even 4 tours of duty in Iraq. They couldn't even get the paychecks correct for our service members. Now, this administration cannot even give clean, healthy places for our injured to recover. This administration, that has claimed it supports the troops, has instead shown little regard for their welfare or that of their families.
