Local Military Hospital Conditions Draw Attention
In the wake of the recent investigation by the Washington Post exposing poor living conditions and health care services at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, California newspapers have reported on conditions at Veterans Affairs facilities and military hospitals throughout the state.
Headlines and links appear below.
- "Valley Veterans Face Long, Long Road Getting Health Care" (Carlson, Modesto Bee, 3/11).
- "Fresno's VA Stays Out of D.C. Fray" (Boyles, Fresno Bee, 3/14).
- "At Medical Center, Healing is Marines' Only Duty" (Perry, Los Angeles Times, 3/10).
- "Balboa Naval Hospital Retreats" (Liewer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/13).
Broadcast Coverage
KQED's "The California Report" on Tuesday included a report on medical care for veterans at the VA medical center in Livermore, a division of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The segment includes comments from:
- Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.), chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee;
- Lisa Freeman, director of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System;
- Robert Geldman, an administrator at the Livermore hospital;
- Phillip Longman, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation; and
- Veterans receiving treatment at the facility (Campbell, "The California Report," KQED, 3/13).
In addition, "The California Report" on Tuesday included a report on how Naval Medical Center San Diego has responded to increased demand for rehabilitative care for injured service members. The segment includes comments from:
- Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, commander of the medical center; and
- An injured soldier receiving treatment at the facility (St. John, "The California Report," KQED, 3/13).
KPBS' "KPBS News" also recently reported on the expansion of Naval Medical Center San Diego. The segment includes comments from Hunter (St. John, "KPBS News," KPBS, 3/12).
Audio of the segment is available online. This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.