Inadequate Care at Walter Reed

CONTACT: Chrissy Stevens (212) 982-9699 or chrissy@iava.orgIMMEDIATE RELEASE   Walter Reed Hospital Outpatients Receive Drastically Inadequate Care Iraq Vets Fight Back for Change and Accountability   NEW YORK - The nation's first and largest non-partisan organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, IAVA, has been leading the charge for action in response to recent media reports of drastically inadequate care for outpatients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The Washington Post reported Saturday that staffers responsible for managing outpatients at Walter Reed have had caseloads of more than 125 patients each. Recovering soldiers face bureaucratic delays, overworked case managers and appalling living conditions, including black mold, cheap mattresses and cockroaches.   Since that report, IAVA has been leading the charge to keep this critical story in the headlines and demand action from our elected officials. On Sunday, the Los Angeles Times quoted IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff in response to the situation at Walter Reed. On Monday, Rieckhoff appeared on MSNBC's "Hardball" to comment on the developing story.   Today Rieckhoff and his fellow Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans vowed to continue their fight for adequate care for this newest generation of American veterans.   "This news is an absolute outrage and it's shameful. It is inexcusable that our wounded troops are coming home to such an unprepared and overwhelmed health care system," said Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq War Veteran and the founder of IAVA: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. "Responsibility for this tragedy goes straight to the top. We demand swift action from the President, DoD and Congress to correct these problems. It is disgraceful that our country has sent troops to war without ensuring adequate care for the wounded."   "Last week IAVA member veterans met with dozens of members of Congress who pledged to do all they can to care for this newest generation of veterans," Rieckhoff said. "I hope I can count on them in the coming days to remedy the problems at Walter Reed. They must ensure that not another man or woman in uniform comes home to such an unacceptable standard of care."   IAVA: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, is the nation's first and largest organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, representing more than 60,000 members in all 50 states.   To arrange an interview with Paul Rieckhoff or any other IAVA member veterans, contact IAVA at (212) 982-9699, or email michael@iava.org.   # # #