• Click here for a copy of the full report (PDF). 
• Click here to listen to Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff on NewsTalk, 1120 KMOX/St. Louis.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Contact: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or michael[at]iava.org

President Bush and Congress Dawdle While Veterans Continue to Suffer
GAO Report Reveals Little Progress Made Since Walter Reed Crisis

NEW YORK - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following statement in response to a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the inadequate response to revelations of shoddy outpatient treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center:

"This GAO report reveals that President Bush and Congress have yet to improve care for our nation's wounded veterans. The problems of Walter Reed have not been fixed. Officials pledged to take action after the deplorable conditions at Walter Reed were uncovered in February, but it has been more than seven months and veterans continue to wait for adequate care. Americans were outraged when they first saw the images from Walter Reed and it is infuriating that so little has changed. In many cases, it is a matter of life and death." said Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Executive Director. "The response has been unacceptable and our nation's heroes and their families deserve better."

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A non-profit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 60,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states. To arrange an interview with Paul Rieckhoff or any other IAVA member veterans, please contact Michael Houston at (212)-982-9699, or email michael[at]iava.org.

For more information, please visit www.iava.org.