WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell said poor conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center are no exception to the way the Bush administration treats U.S. veterans.
Mitchell, D-Ariz., used the Democrats' Saturday radio address to say his party has begun to take steps to correct the situation that allowed the outpatient areas of Walter Reed to deteriorate.
Media, including UPI four years ago, reported that conditions at the hospital's outpatient facilities were marked by mold on the walls, holes in the walls and other unsafe situations.
"These conditions are unacceptable and the Democratic Congress has acted quickly to hold the Bush administration accountable for the conditions at Walter Reed and the treatment of American soldiers," Mitchell said.
He later said, "Sadly, what is happening at Walter Reed is not an exception to the way this administration has treated our troops."
Mitchell said he was among several Democratic legislators sponsoring the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act. The bill would add $3.5 billion to Bush administration requests to improve healthcare for returning service members.
