Things aren't all bad at Walter Reed -- dignitaries get top care

[Newsjock]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/307540_reed15.html

By JULIA MALONE
COX NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress decried the shabby outpatient treatment and squalid living conditions vividly described by wounded soldiers earlier this month at a hearing inside Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

What lawmakers did not mention at the March 5th hearing or in other discussions of the military care scandal is the very different world at Walter Reed, just down the hall and an elevator ride up to the seventh floor.

Ward 72, as it is called at the hospital, is the supersecure VIP quarters reserved for dignitaries, including members of Congress. Here, not far from the presidential suite once used by President Eisenhower, lawmakers can check in for what in some cases have been long stays.

... Public information officials at Walter Reed and Bethesda hospitals did not provide answers e-mailed or telephoned inquiries about their VIP services.

An article defending the so-called "Executive Healthcare" department, posted on the Internet in 2004 by the Naval medical center, asserted that "there is no difference in the quality of care provided" VIPs and other patients.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. VIP care I shudder

Why?

It can either be top notch or so bad it is not even funny

VIPs are always a nightmare at any hospital

But I am sure these folks do get the better end of VIP care

[w8liftinglady]

2. pardon me for saying at this late hour...

Fuck them...call me,bastards-i'll tell you how they treat our wounded soldiers

[tblue]

3. Boils your blood, don't it?

:mad: :mad:

[izzie]

5. When my husband was at Bethesda years ago I recall this.

A women I knew worked at the dental place for a job so her kids could get braces, out side the service as it did not come within service, and she said big wigs used to have their wifes come in and get extra pair of false teeth. It used to drive her nuts as they were not even giving care under the law. No one dare not give it to them. I also sat waiting while two young doctors hash over what to do with a Gen. 6 year old daughter. Seems not a thing was wrong with her but he was going to Europe for 3 months and his wife wanted to go so they needed a baby sister. Three dollars a day and good care. The doctors finally figured that as Lt. they would have to put the poor kid in the hospital as she had been put her whole life over and over, so they Gen. and his wife could go to Europe. Yar it is unfair but also as staff the care was very good. Your records were always stamped as staff. Money and rates talk in any hospital.

[KT2000]

4. Didn't Strom Thurmond

even live there for quite a while? Can't imagine they would put him in a room with vermin and mold.

[izzie]

6. And I am sure the Vice gets good care. It really gets to one.

--

[spiderpig]

7. Imagine my surprise!

I'd say "let it be on their conscience", but we know they have none.

Bastards.