Bill Young draws fire in the Walter Reed debacle

Rep. C.W. Bill Young, the dean of the Florida congressional delegation, has drawn criticism in the blogosphere for his role in the burgeoning controversy over treatment of wounded vets at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The Washington Post reported Thursday that Young, R-St. Petersburg, and his wife, Beverly, stopped visiting the wounded at Walter Reed in 2004 because of frustration with conditions there. Stories in the Post have led to major upheavals, with the White House announcing Friday that  President Bush will name a commission to investigate the quality of care at the nation's military and veterans hospitals.

Young told the Post that he told commanders about incidents he witnessed, but to no avail. That prompted critics on the St. Petersburg Times political blog to ask why, as a powerful Republican and former appropriations chair, he hadn't done more.

In an interview in today's Times, Young said that his complaints were focused on inpatient care and that he notified Army officials about them.

He told the Times he was frustrated that some of those problems were not fixed, but  "I have never suggested that Walter Reed is in crisis."

The full article can be read here: www.sptimes.com/2007/03/02/Worldandnation/Young_faces_fury_in_v.shtml