Walter Reed Hospital Essay Example

Walter Reed Hospital Essay The conditions in the Walter Reed Hospital have further pressed Washington to justify its military initiatives not just in Iraq but also in the home front. The issue has raised concerns for the welfare of American soldiers and the legitimacy of efforts in Iraq. However, the conditions in the Walter Reed Hospital also have an implication in the state of health and welfare in the country which has been another area of concern for the US (Blank, 2002).The issue broke at a critical time for the Bush administration as it is trying to justify the deployment of additional troops to Iraq amidst the British announcement of its gradual withdrawal and the strengthening political action against the initiatives (Hundley Sly, 2007; Cloud, 2007). The issue has resulted not only in the resignation of Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey but also the replacement of the hospital’s commander Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman and the launching of a federal investigation into the issue.Background of the ControversyThere have been several reports regarding soldiers raising concerns regarding the condition of hospitals but most of the concerns never materialized as issues. However, when concerns were raised regarding the Walter Reed Hospital, considered as one of the leading hospital in the Army, more investigation took notice (Associated Press, 2007). The initial reports were regarding mice and molds but further investigation primarily by journalists also revealed the extent of the problems the hospital was dealing due to lack of funding, shortage in health professionals and the volume of patients.Dr. Francis J. Harvey assumed office as the 19th Secretary of the US Army November 19, 2004, a position whose primary objectives are to ensure the welfare of soldiers and their families (Department of Defense, 2007a). When the controversy broke, President Bush ordered that a full investigation to review the condition of all military and veteran hospitals, particularly to those who were tre ating troops wounded from the recent conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq (Associated Press, 2007). Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, who was only assumed office last December expressed his belief that the problem in the hospital was not an endemic but were specific to the hospital (Department of Defense, 2007b). He said that, â€Å"problems at Walter Reed appear to be problems of leadership, and did not site any need for resignation among officials (Associated Press, 2007).However, some analysts believe that Harvey’s subsequent appointment of Army surgeon Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, a former Walter Reed commander who was also critiqued for mismanaging the facility, to replace Weightman prompted Gates to privately ask for the resignation of Harvey (Burns, 2007). Gates state to the press in a briefing that he was â€Å"disappointed that some in the Army have not adequately appreciated the seriousness of the situation pertaining to outpatient care at Walter Reed† (Cloud, 2007 ).ImplicationsThe issue of the Walter Reed is not just limited to the need to ensure that government facilities serve patients but also raises questions regarding the government’s regard for the welfare of its troops and the legitimacy of its bid to extend military operations in Iraq. There has been significant studies highlighting the deterioration of health services across the US but it has very rarely included an assessment of military health facilities (Blank, 2002).As the government is still trying to deal with the announcement that British troops will begin its withdrawal from Iraq, the government is in a very uncomfortable position having to deal with Walter Reed as well much less the resignation of Secretary Harvey. According to Harvey his resignation was a sign his remorse that the troops were not afforded the care that they deserved (Cloud, 2007). Representative Ike Skelton applauded Harvey’s move which he says is Harvey’s â€Å"taking responsibility for the problems at Walter Reed† (as cited in Associated Press, 2007).Thus, the resignation is a positive sign in terms of officials taking responsibility for their shortcomings. However, there is still need for the issue to be fully investigated and all officials that may be liable be brought to face charges, otherwise, the issue may very well be the end to Washington’s bid for further budget for Defense as well as its Iraq initiatives. It is to be expected that critiques of these initiatives will emphasize the issue and use it to argue that the US would be better off in dealing with its own internal issues first before deploying more troops in Iraq.ConclusionIn terms of military initiatives, the Walter Reed issue is one that will support opinions that the international efforts of the US have severely compromised its troops and services. The argument is that the US is not only over extending its military operations but more importantly the institutions itself. However, there is also the reality that withdrawal from Iraq has to be reflected in carefully because of its implications on the country and on the position of the US as a world leader (Associated Press, 2007). At the same time, the situation was brought into highlight health care a welfare issues that have been a sore issue for a long time. The inclusion of an institution such as Walter Reed among the institutions with such problems makes one wonder as to the conditions of lesser knows hospitals of the not only the Army but all other government hospitals in the US.The reality is that there is no simple solution to the issues. At the same time, despite the impact of the issue, it has to be dealt without as systematically possible so that the issue can be resolved not only in the context of Walter Reed but all other health institutions. More than anything else, the effect of Harvey’s resignation is that there are people that should be held accountable for the welfare of US troops. Thi s responsibility goes beyond the command of one’s office to the extent or personal responsibility in recognition of the troops’ defense of the country and what it stands for.ReferencesAssociated Press (2007). Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey Resigns amid Walter Reed Hospital Scandal.   FoxNews March 2, 2007. Retrieved on March 5, 2007 from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,256082,00.htmlBlank, R. (2002). Evaluating Welfare Reform in the United States. Journal of Economic Literature. pp. 1105-1166Burns, Robert (2007). Army Secretary Resigns in Scandals Wake. Breitbart March 2, 2007. Retrieved on March 5, 2007 from http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/03/02/D8NK9F000.htmlCloud, David S. (2007). Army Secretary Is Ousted in Furor Over Hospital Care. The New York Times   March 2, 2007. Retrieved on March 5, 2007 from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/washington/03veterans.htmlDepartment of Defense (2007a). Biography Dr. Francis J. Harvey. Retrieved on March 5, 2007 from www.defenselink.mil/bios/harvey_bio.htmlDepartment of Defense (2007b). Biography Dr. Robert M. Gates: Secretary Of Defense. Retrieved on March 5, 2007 from http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/secdef_bio.htmlHundley, Tom and Sly, Liz (2007). Blair plots Britain’s Iraq withdrawal. Chicago Tribune 22 February. Retrieved on March 5, 2007 from http://www.popmatters.com/pm/news/article/11695/blair-plots-britains-iraq-withdrawal;