| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"Harry Hope" |
| Date: |
05 Mar 2007 08:57:49 AM |
| Object: |
Walter Reed Whitewash: Kiley Replacement "Demoralizing" To Hospital Staff |
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/02/kiley-demoralizing/
Walter Reed Whitewash: Kiley Replacement ‘Demoralizing’ To Hospital
Staff
Yesterday’s management shake-up at Walter Reed looks increasingly
suspect.
The Washington Post reports today that the hospital chief who was
relieved of duty, Army Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, is “well
respected in the military medical community and well liked among the
staff at Walter Reed.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/01/AR2007030100999.html
He had been at the hospital for just half a year, and “instituted some
changes to improve outpatient care.”
Weightman is being replaced for now by Army surgeon general Lt. Gen.
Kevin Kiley.
As ThinkProgress documented yesterday, Kiley has known for years about
the neglect and deplorable conditions at Walter Reed.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/kiley-walter-temporary/
Kiley was personally told about injured veterans who were “languishing
and lost on the grounds,” sharing drugs and “drinking themselves to
death,” and reportedly did nothing to address the problems.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/01/kiley-walter-temporary/
In one stunning case, Kiley took no action when personally informed
that a soldier was sleeping in his own urine.
http://americablog.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-head-of-walter-reed-let-soldier.html
The Post today cites a defense official saying that Weightman’s firing
and his replacement by Kiley “are likely to be demoralizing to the
staff at the medical center.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/01/AR2007030100999.html
The L.A. Times says Kiley may still be fired:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-walterreed2mar02,1,6080365,full.story?coll=la-headlines-frontpage&ctrack=1&cset=true
One military official said the Army was continuing to examine Kiley’s
oversight of Walter Reed to determine whether he knew of the problems
in the outpatient facilities.
“Those questions are being looked at,” said the official, who spoke on
condition on anonymity.
“Is this it? We don’t know. Potentially, there could be other heads
that roll.”
But in the meantime, why would this man with a long record of neglect
be placed back in charge of Walter Reed?
The Post’s answer: because “the Army’s reshuffle is really about
projecting the appearance of accountability, not punishing those most
responsible.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/01/AR2007030101516.html
UPDATE: Both Kiley and Weightman have been called to testify at a
hearing on Monday of the House Oversight and Government Reform
national security subcommittee. http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=81
_____________________________________________________
Should be interesting
Harry
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