Walter Reed Medical Center To Be Closed

[babylonsister]

http://www.sierratimes.com/rss/newswire.php?article=/news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050825/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/base_closings&time=1124977038&feed=us

Walter Reed Medical Center to Be Closed - Yahoo! News
Posted: Thursday August 25,2005 - 06:37:18 am

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer 2 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - A federal commission signed off Thursday on the Pentagon's plan to close the crown jewel of the Army hospital system as part of an effort streamline medical services across the armed forces.
Located in the nation's capital, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington has treated presidents and foreign leaders as well as soldiers and veterans.

Under the Pentagon plan, the hospital's staff and services would move from Walter Reed's historic main post to the National Naval Medical Center in nearby Bethesda, Md., to create an expanded facility, as well as a regional hospital at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

[opihimoimoi]

1. The price of war is such we close hospitals meant to heal our wounded and

SICK VETS???

WHAT THE FUCK is Wrong with this Picture?

BushCo is doing everything to Fuck this Nation.

He is SICK and wants to make this Nation Sick too.

Hitler did the same thing...had advanced syphilis, hid it from the public, but later medical records emerged to confirm...HITLER KNEW HE WAS DYING

I not suggesting Bush is dying...but his actions indicate something is amiss....

To close WRH is WRONG.....

[babylonsister]

2. Yes, this really emphasizes how they're supporting our

wounded and Vets... :banghead:

[kentuck]

42. Bingo !

That's the message encapsulated.

[northzax]

3. actually, it makes a lot of sense

the plan is to combine the Army Medical Corps with the Naval Medical Corps, to build one hospital for both (It really doesn't make sense to have an army hospital and a navy hospital any more) they're building a new campus in the burbs to combine Bethesda and Walter Reed. more beds, less overhead. it makes sense.

[Trevelyan]

17. Just how long will it take to build this combined hospital

What will happen to the wounded soldiers who need care in the meantime.

Who will build it, at what cost? When will it open?

Sounds like invading Iraq without a plan for the day after.

This is another busco shill game on our troops.

[northzax]

22. it;s not like they're shutting WRMC tommorow

it will take five years to make the transition to Bethesda and Ft. Belvoir.

The estimates I have seen are the whole process will cost about a billion dollars and save between 100 and 150 million a year. Retrofitting WRMC to modern standards would cost about 300 million. If you have the land, it's cheaper to build a modern facility than retrofit a 19th century one. And the Pentagon already owns the land in Bethesda and at Ft. Belvoir, indeed, the Bethesda construction is underway.

[LisaM]

28. So it costs a billion dollars, how many days of the Iraq invasion does

that equal? Seven?

[northzax]

29. relevance?

must we look at everything through the prism of Iraq?

[LisaM]

30. Well since that's where they treat the Iraq wounded

my answer to that would be YES.

[davepc]

36. And they still will be treated there until the new facility opens

so your point is meaningless.

Just because the commission voted today to close the facility and combine medical treatment at one modern facility thats currently under construction does not mean that wounded iraqi veterans are going to be dumped on the tarmac without care tomorrow.

[I concur]

32. yes, indeed...

...it makes sense. Walter Reed and Bethesda reportedly have a lot of empty beds, even with a war going on.

[UpInArms]

4. Walter Reed Medical Center to Be Closed

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/25/AR2005082500390.html?referrer=email

WASHINGTON -- A federal commission voted to close the crown jewel of Army hospitals as it began its second day of decision-making on sweeping plans to restructure military bases across the country.

Located in the nation's capital, century-old Walter Reed Army Medical Center has treated presidents and foreign leaders as well as veterans and soldiers, including those returning from the Iraq war.

Most of Walter Reed's work would be relocated to a more modern, expanded hospital in Bethesda, Md., that will be renamed Walter Reed in a nod to the old facility's heritage.

The nine-member panel was voting on a host of big-ticket items in its second day of votes. Later Thursday it was to begin debating the Air Force's plans, arguably the most contentious of the group, as it steamrolled through hundreds of Pentagon proposals at a brisk pace after four months of study and preparation.

Under the Walter Reed plan, most of the staff and services would move from the old hospital's main post to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, to create the expanded facility. The remaining personnel and operations would move to a community hospital at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

...more...

[calico1]

5. Unbelievable! n/t

[lonestarnot]

6. Once again through the looking glass!

[shoelace414]

7. who are they selling the "closed" Walter reed to?

[acmejack]

10. The military owns a lot of prime undeveloped sites.

Oahu is a fine example. Ever notice all the unlit swathes in the night skyline of the island?

[MildyRules]

12. I think it's

going to the city of DC.

[Todd B]

8. From the article:

It sounds like they are moving the current Walter Reed to a upgraded facility. If that is the case (and it saves money), then I think it is a good move. (I could be misunderstanding the issue, though).

Are they moving the entire hospital to a new location, or just renaming a wing of the Naval Medical Center?

[MildyRules]

11. Agree; they are closing an antiquated

facility and consolidating and upgrading. It's probably a good move. Let's see what the results are.

[jojo54]

9. Once again, screw the ones that do the actual fighting for

these war/money/power crazed Repukes.

[Todd B]

14. Usually that would be the case, but..

.. in this case, it sounds like they are closing an older medical facility and upgrading it in a better location.

If they were just closing the hospital and not setting up anything in it's place, then there would be reason for concern but let's see how these changes affect the quality of care for the veterans.

[Trevelyan]

18. The Veterans who need medical care NOW, can't afford to wait

We took and wait and see attitude to Iraq and look what happened.

People were more prepared for the assault on Social Security but has bush already embezzled the whole Trust Fund and not just the interest on the Trust which Sen. Reid was bold enough to tell the truth about and yes, Sen. Reid used the word EMBEZZLE. You say wait and trust these nutjobs when our troops don't have armor and there are waiting lines for the wounded?

Educate yourself - Go to a real veterans site and see their bush-made plight. Including the plight of their families.

[northzax]

23. to be fair, the VA medical system

ranks better, now, on almost every metric, than people with rivate sector HMOs. It has really been turned around in the past decade since the early-mid 90's when it was truely shameful.

[AzDar]

13. It's becoming more Orwellian every single day..."Support the

Troops", indeed!

[Kelvin Mace]

15. Read the story

They are combining the Army and Navy hospitals and upgrading the facility. Actually, more beds (+155), better care.

[Trevelyan]

19. HOW LONG WILL THE "UPGRADES" TAKE AND WHAT ARE THE WOUNDED TO DO IN THE

MEANTIME WHEN THERE IS ALREADY A WAIT LIST FOR THE WOUNDED ESP. THOSE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS.

JUST READ A VETERANS SITE WHERE A NEW PTSS FACILITY WAS GOING TO BE SHUT DOWN.

:mad:

[Kelvin Mace]

26. If I understand correctly, the hospital will not be closed until AFTER

the new facility is built.

Much to slam the government for on treatment of vets, but this actually not one.

[DrBloodmoney]

16. As an Army doc working at Walter Reed....

... I think it's a great thing. Aside from the fact that this is an old hospital in need of some updating, there is no reason to have both Bethesda and Walter Reed open and operating on separate campuses. Bethesda is the obvious choice being outside of DC proper, with plenty of room to expand, the Uniformed Services Med school is on its campus, and it's right across from NIH. It's a good for training too, because now most programs are integrated with Navy anyways so resident physicians must travel back and forth on a weekly basis to see patients.

All-in-all the majority consensus here is that it is a good decision.

The issue that isn't seeing light or coverage in the MSM is the de-facto killing stroke delivered to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (located on Walter Reed's campus). That is not a good thing. At all. So much history and science... all down the tubes because it is not "combat relevant."

[northzax]

24. they're not moving AFIP?

really? that's just stupid. I really should get up to the museum sometime soon, I hear it's fascinating.

is it still open to the public?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

40. AFIP has all those cool babies in jars too.

[theboss]

31. This is one of the closures that makes sense to me

If you can close two redundant aging facilities and build one modern facility, I think you have to do it.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

38. So what are they doing with AFIP?

There was a rumor a while back it was going to Mechanicsville PA or some place like that.

[burrowowl]

39. Welcome to DU, DrBloodmoney!

"The issue that isn't seeing light or coverage in the MSM is the de-facto killing stroke delivered to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (located on Walter Reed's campus). That is not a good thing. At all. So much history and science... all down the tubes because it is not "combat relevant."

Yes, that is sad whenever the quest for knowledge is quashed and especially now with questions on depleted uranium, toxins released during the Gulf War, etc. which affect the health of the soldier or the Vet.

[DrBloodmoney]

41. Exactly...

The AFIP houses samples on every Gulf War syndrome patient. The language that we have heard is 'all non-military related consults will be outsourced.' That is the killing stroke. The AFIP thrives on consult cases from around the world, the majority of which are not military.

[Trevelyan]

20. BUSHCO RECORD IN CARING FOR THE TROOPS IS NOT GOOD

congressman John B. Larson Tuesday called for an immediate Congressional investigation into the Pentagon’s procurement system that has led to more than a year’s delay in supplying improved body armor to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. As part of that investigation, Larson (CT-1) said that Pentagon officials, including Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, should be held liable for any findings of dereliction or wrongdoing.

“These delays are a disgrace,” Larson said. “The administration has repeatedly lapsed in its duty to provide the men and women it sends into war the best equipment possible. After two years and with all the appropriate funding levels, an investigation needs to be done into why this hasn’t been done. Our troops should not have to wait a day, let alone a year. Our men and women need all the protection we can offer them, and their families and the American people need to
know that we’re doing everything we can to protect them. If we can spend billions of dollars on the national missile defense program and the nuclear bunker buster program and tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, there’s no reason for this to be happening.”

Larson said that action should be taken against Pentagon officials if the investigations yield evidence of willful neglect or incompetence. If so, those officials should resign or be dismissed, he said. That wait for upgraded armor is symptomatic of the Pentagon’s failure since the war began to adequately outfit troops with body protection¸ Larson said. Despite complaints from troops, their family and Congress, the Administration has dragged in acquiring and distributing the armor, he added.

“The Administration has wanted to avoid talking about timetables, but giving our troops safer body armor is one timetable that cannot be put off. It is a top priority that needs to be acted on now. If those in charge aren’t standing up to that responsibility, then we need leaders who will. ”

A poorly-run procurement system has stalled the replacement of existing armor with thicker ceramic plates that could better protect military personnel from insurgent gunfire. Reports cited that gunfire has killed at least 325 troops, about half the number killed by bombs.

Larson has longstanding concerns about Pentagon’s record of supplying body armor throughout the Iraq war. He introduced an amendment, passed in the 2004 defense spending bill, requiring the Pentagon to reimburse military personnel and family members who spent their own money for protective gear that the Pentagon had failed to supply.

[Trevelyan]

21. BUSH SENT SOLDIERS TO WAR WITHOUT NEEDED EQUIPMENT

***http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/06/bush_offers_def.php


Soldiers Not Given Body Armor Needed. Over year after the beginning of the Iraq war soldiers being deployed to Iraq were still buying their own body armor. Responding to pressure from Senators, the Administration then sent soldiers to war with body armor they knew had failed ballistics tests, leading to a recall of more than 5000 armored vests in May 2005.

Army Study Suggests One-Fourth of Deaths in Iraq Could Have Been Prevented If Troops Were Properly-Equipped at Beginning of War. Newsweek reported that many U.S. deaths and wounds in Iraq simply did not need to occur. According to an unofficial study by a defense consultant, as of April 15, 2004, perhaps one in four of those killed in combat in Iraq might be alive if they had had stronger armor around them. Almost all those soldiers were killed while in unprotected vehicles.

Thousands more who were unprotected have suffered grievous wounds, such as the loss of limbs.

...AND THEY STILL DON'T HAVE WHAT THEY NEED

Marines Still Lack Equipment Necessary To Do Their Job In Iraq. A Marine Corps Inspector General report said that the estimated 30,000 Marines in Iraq need twice as many heavy machine guns, more fully protected armored vehicles, and more communications equipment to operate in a region the size of Utah. The Marine Corps leadership has "understated" the amount and types of ground equipment it needs, according to the investigation, concluding that all of its fighting units in Iraq "require ground equipment that exceeds" their current supplies, "particularly in mobility, engineering, communications, and heavy weapons."

National Guard Units In US Recently Forced To Give Up Equipment. Already suffering from manpower shortages, the National Guard's overstretched forces are being confronted with another problem: not enough equipment to supply Guard troops at home. "To fully equip troops in Iraq, the Pentagon has stripped local Guard units of about 24,000 pieces of equipment. That has left Guard units at home, already seriously short of gear."

Commanders Acknowledge Continuing Shortages In Iraq. Facing a shortage of helicopter squadrons in Iraq, the Pentagon announced plans for three navy helicopter squadrons to be transferred to Southern Iraq, though they are "more accustomed to plucking downed aviators out of the water." Commanders acknowledged the shortages on the ground. Navy officials would say only that the squadrons will augment Army air units because of an "emergent capability shortfall in Operation Iraqi Freedom."

REPUBLICANS VOTING AGAINST TROOPS AND VETERANS

Republican Senate Voted Against Improving Health Care for Veterans and Republican Congress Refused To Consider $2.6 Billion Increase in VA Health Care Funding. The Republican Senate voted against making a portion of VA funding mandatory or automatic, like other health related programs. They also repeatedly voted against efforts to increase overall funding for veterans' medical care by almost $2 billion. In addition, Republicans in the House repeatedly voted to block efforts to increase VA funding by about $2.5 billion. Just this week Republicans admitted that they had underfunded veterans health care by $3.7 billion over the next two years.
Washington Post 6/24/05; AP 6/28/05]

Republicans Opposed Expanding TRICARE to National Guard & Reserve Volunteers. Republicans voted against expanding access to the military's TRICARE health insurance program to all reservist and National Guard members.

The proposal would have expanded military health care to provide access to TRICARE to members of the Guard and Reserve and their families for a low fee.

Republicans Opposed $100 Million Increase for Military Personnel. Republicans voted against a proposal to the budget to increase funding for military health care by $100 million and transitional job training for military personnel by $50 million.

Republicans Voted Against Increased Funding for Humvee Armor For Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Republicans voted against an additional $213 million for armored Humvee production remains at its maximum level through the fiscal year.

BUSH PROPOSED TAXES ON VETERANS

Bush Proposed New $250 User Fees and Double Prescription Drug Co-Payments For Veterans. Bush's proposed 2006 budget would more than double the co-payment charged to veterans for prescription drugs and would require some to pay a new user fee of $250 a year for their health care. Bush would also increase the co-payment for a month's supply of a prescription drug to $15, from the current $7. Veterans' groups said that at least 200,000 veterans would be driven out of the system entirely, and would cost veterans remaining in the system more
than $2 billion over five years.
Leader Pelosi; www.va.gov/vetdata; Budget of the US Government, 2/05]

Bush Budget Retains Disabled Veterans' Tax, Does Not Do Enough For Troops And Families. The Bush 2006 budget includes no targeted pay raises for senior noncommissioned officers, petty officers and warrant officers; has no money to fund the 2006 costs of proposed increases in death benefits; and would make no further progress in eliminating the so-called disabled veterans' tax, which requires military retirees to forfeit a dollar of retired pay for every dollar they receive in veterans' disability compensation. "Simply put, this budget could do more for our troops and their families," Rep. Ike Skelton said.

***VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICES
Unfair treatment to VETERANS CLAIMS

[northzax]

25. while that may be true

it is completely irrelevant to the issue at hand. This is a military decision, something they have been working towards for years, not a political one.

if it was political, it would be moving to Virginia, not to the bluest county in the US.

[w8liftinglady]

27. My dad was at WR in 1971-

It was ancient then..I'm glad they are finally building some new facilities.The wounds that these soldiers are coming back with require very precise microsurgery.Hopefully,The new facilities will have this equipment as well.

[Not_Giving_Up]

33. Walter Reed Medical Center to be Closed

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050825/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/base_closings;_ylt=AuqYVBlzrFL4DMXitwEN._Ks0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

WASHINGTON - A federal commission voted Thursday to close Walter Reed Army Medical Center — the crown jewel of U.S. military hospitals — as part of the Pentagon's sweeping proposal to restructure bases across the country.

Located in the heart of the nation's capital, the century-old hospital has treated presidents and foreign leaders as well as veterans and soldiers, including those returning from the Iraq war.

Most of its work would be relocated to a more modern, expanded hospital in Bethesda, Md., to be renamed Walter Reed in a nod to the old facility's heritage.

The nine-member panel also was expected to start debating the Air Force's plans, arguably the most contentious of the group, as it steamrolled through hundreds of Pentagon proposals at a brisk pace after four months of study and preparation. Commissioners said it was unclear how many Air Force proposals they would consider Thursday, but they expected to finish by Friday.

[Kelvin Mace]

34. Dupe

[oscar111]

35. so, new casualties are few now?

or is bush cutting help to our troops again,

by cutting hospitals both in the military system and VA?

about five years ago there was IIRC, a round of closing a lot of VA hospitals, forcing sick vets to travel long distances for help.

Similarly, grade schools are being closed.. all so the taxcuts for the rich can be made permanent.

350 Billion was the total of bush taxcuts for the rich.. in wartime.

[moondust]

37. Delete.