Report Uncovered Walter Reed Problems in 2004

The mess at Walter Reed was detailed in a damning task force report in 2004, obtained by Salon, in which soldiers described their frustrations with outpatient care and bureaucratic nightmares. Not only was the report ignored, but the official who sat on it for three years is now up for a promotion to undersecretary for health at the VA.

President Bush has just announced plans to nominate the co-chair of the task force, Michael Kussman, to run all of the VA's health services. "Kussman knew in 2004 that Walter Reed was a disaster, and thousands and thousands of veterans have needlessly suffered long delays," says former VA manager Paul Sullivan. (More Michael Kussman stories.)