Noteboom The Law Firm

Privatizing Walter Reed May Have Harmed Thousands Of Soldiers

November 24, 2010 - Walter Reed Hospital may be in real trouble. Two weeks ago a series of media reports exposed Walter Reed Hospital for what were referred to as deplorable conditions. Aside from soldiers being forced to wait months for sometimes critical and necessary services, the reports detailed soldier-patients being forced to live in decrepit rooms lined with mold and rodent feces.

U.S. Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-CA.) subpoenaed Major General George Weightman, who was recently fired as the commander of Walter Reed. Questions put to Maj. Gen. Weightman will focus on a memo that was leaked. The memo apparently implicates Walter Reed being privatized as the cause of many of the hospital's problems. To make matters worse, that memo detailed how the highest ranking Army and Department of Defense (DoD) officials were aware of the shameful conditions existing at the hospital.

IAP Worldwide Services began to control the hospital's facilities management. Their contract was worth $120 million and the company is managed by a former Halliburton executive. In an attempt to cut costs, the memo details how 250 members of the Walter Reed staff were forced out and the facilities management staff consisted of only 50 employees. Those 50 employees, however, were privately employed.

Rep. Waxman chairs the House Government Oversight Committee. It is hoped the Committee will conduct a proper investigation and hold the responsible parties liable for the terrible conditions and injuries they have caused to our nation's soldiers.