Followup on Military Medicine Analysis (Walter Reed)

[KMATTOX at aol.com]

SIGNIFICANT dialogue has occurred up and down, and across both political  
parties, with a great deal of agreement and concordance.   Thanks to  everyone 
that participated in the conversations.    MUCH was  off line and to 
politicians, military friends, and professional  associations.  Leadership from the 
bottom up.   It worked  during Katrina, it is working now.     Top down management  
is often flawed.   
 
1.    "Some" committees in Congress are still enjoined  with the feeding 
frenzy of the press.  
2.    Many (MANY) are assured that "Walter Reed Leaking  Roof, and Mice" is a 
symptom of a much bigger issue and this event should open  an opportunity for 
such combined CIVILIAN, Congressional, Military, and  Executive Commission.   
 
 
3.    The principles of BRAC for peacetime were  probably true and 
acceptable, but during wartime continued or concepts beyond  BRAC should be discussed.  
This becomes very important and must NOT be  politicized. 
 
4.    Because of many of you, letters, experiences, and  recommendations have 
reached the ears and eyes of MANY in the House of  Representatives, Senate, 
White House, JCS, Health Affairs, GAO, USUHS, and other  places.  It does not 
matter that views are individualized are many  differ from mine, they are sound 
and have caused some secondary  thinking.   THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR 
LEADERSHIP, Vision and  Insight
 
5.    HUGE consensus that MG George Weightman was  relieved of his command as 
CO of Walter Reed Army hospital as a SCRAFICIAL  LAMB.   He was a SCAPEGOAT, 
to try to take the heat off of those  who did not provide the funding, did not 
react because a new WR was  going to be built , etc. etc. etc. etc.   At 
least 4 Army CO  of Walter Reed were aware of the problems.     MANY MANY people 
are of the opinion that he should be  REINSTATED.    
 
6.    I can find NO disagreement that (except for  special operations medical 
support) military medicine should be unified into a  Uniformed Service 
approach, built on the tremendous success of the unified  Uniformed Services 
University for the Health Sciences.   
 
7.    I find tremendous traction, including STRONG  support and 
recommendations from Dr. Michael E. DeBakey last evening at a Lasker  Board dinner, to 
ELEVATE the military "top doc" position from Assistant  Secretary of Defense for 
Health Affairs to Deputy Secretary of Defense for  Health Affairs (As it was 
when it was originally established at the time of Dr.  Berry).   
 
8.    Have a FOUR STAR General to head the UNIFORMED  Military Medical 
Support and that 4 star general sit on the Joint Chiefs of  Staff in the Pentagon    
 Concurrence that this action is  LONG overdue.    
 
9.    Spend research dollars for new knowledge for  appropriate things, not 
pork projects.  You cannot believe the support for  this logical concept
 
10.   Develop a MILITARY TRAUMA CENTER in Downtown Washington  DC.  It would 
be tri service and probably be best placed on the current  Walter Reed site.   
---- SIGNIFICANT support
 
Many many many representatives and senators have enjoined.    Check to see if 
yours has.   Help to direct them to what is good for  medicine in general and 
military medicine in particular, and especially in  support of the poor 
wounded fighting man.   
 
Kenneth L. Mattox, MD
Houston
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