Charles Skelton: “The sad situation of Walter Reed hospital regarding the outpatients has alarmed all of us, whether we be in Congress or…”

“The sad situation of Walter Reed hospital regarding the outpatients has alarmed all of us, whether we be in Congress or not, and this bill has some excellent provisions. It is truly a bipartisan effort. I thank Mr. Hunter and Dr. Snyder, our chairman of our Subcommittee on Personnel, John McHugh from New York. All have done superb work on this bill. It makes some improvements to the medical and dental care for members in an outpatient status. It establishes a toll-free hotline for reporting deficiencies in medical-related support facilities. It requires Members of Congress to be notified of combat-wounded servicemembers who have been hospitalized. It creates an independent medical advocate for members undergoing a medical evaluation board. It improves the training and reduces the workload for Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers. It standardizes the training program and curriculum for the Department of Defense Disability Evaluation System. It enhances the training for health care professionals. It would improve the transition for servicemembers between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It provides a $50 million fund to support programs and activities related to medical treatment and care. It would create an Oversight Board for Wounded Warriors. It requires an annual report of the state of military medical facilities.”