WASHINGTON, March 16 (UPI) -- Congressional investigators are looking into whether a VIP ward at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington is draining resources from the hospital.
U.S. Rep. John Tierney, D-Mass., said investigators are looking into whether the suites on the top floor of the hospital, which are reserved for the president, the vice president, federal judges, federal lawmakers, Cabinet members, high-ranking military officials, foreign dignitaries and Medal of Honor recipients, receive a higher quality of treatment at the expense of wounded soldiers elsewhere in the facility, USA Today reported Friday.
In contrast to the reportedly substandard housing at most of the hospital, the six suites on the top floor are adorned with carpeted floors, antique furniture and dining rooms outfitted with fine china.
Tierney, who heads the House subcommittee investigating the alleged poor housing and care at Walter Reed, said Congress wants to know "if the allocations of resources is in any way adversely impacting the treatment of the troops."
