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Woodruff Questions Bush Over Vets Care
July 25, 2007 5:49 PM
Bob Woodruff blogs about his Oval Office exchange with President Bush today:
VIDEO: Woodruff Questions Bush
Today, for the first time in over two years, I had the chance to join a group of reporters in the Oval Office for a briefing from President Bush, as he discussed the recommendations of his Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors. The President set up this panel in March to investigate the problems in the treatment of wounded veterans, and today the Commission issued its report [MS Word document] on how to improve care for the returning wounded, focusing on making sure the injured are taken care of every step of the way, rather than allowing them to slip through the cracks.
I was there this morning to ask the President the questions that are raised each time I meet injured soldiers and their families who have had difficulty getting the care they need -- namely, is the government working fast enough to help these families? Is it doing everything it can to make sure these soldiers get what they deserve?
But I was shocked when Bush took a moment in his statement to the press to acknowledge me in the crowd as an example of someone who has gone through the military health care system, and to welcome me back. It was nice of him to say that -- but it almost made me a little uncomfortable to be singled out like that amongst all of those who have been injured in this war. And when I tried to ask Bush if we were working quickly enough to improve the help for these veterans and their families, he told me he wouldn't take questions! But after the press conference we had the chance to talk for a few minutes, and he was very kind. (At right, co-chairs Bob Dole and Donna Shalala with Bush today.)
In any case, I can't tell you how great it feels to be back and working on a story like this. This afternoon I sat down with former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, one of the co-chairs of the Commission, to find out more about the Commission’s recommendations, and what kind of an effect he hopes this report to have on veterans' care.
I hope you'll watch my full report on today's events tonight on "World News."
A transcript of Bob's exchange with President Bush is after the jump...
Bush: I asked these two distinguished citizens [Donna
Shalala and Bob Dole] to lead an extensive search about how best for
this government to respond. We owe a wounded solider the very best care
and the very best benefits and the very easiest to understand system.
And so they took a very interesting approach. They took the perspective
from the patient, as the patient had to work his way through the
hospitals and bureaucracies. And they've come up with some very
interesting and important suggestions that they'll be voting on later,
and then will be holding a press conference about afterwards.
The reason I've asked you to come in is I do want to thank you on behalf of the nation for doing what's right.
I
also want to recognize Bob Woodruff here. He is a -- He himself was
wounded, severely wounded, and went through the system, to a certain
extent. And we welcome you back, and we're glad you're with us. And we
would hope that any wounded soldier, any person in uniform would
receive the kind of care and the ability to return to work, just like
you have done. And so we're glad you're with us, Bob. Congratulations
on the will to recover.
That will exist with our troops, as
well. It's amazing how courageous our men and women in uniform are, and
they deserve the best. And that's the spirit in which you analyzed the
system, and we welcome your recommendations and we thank you for your
service.
…
Woodruff: Do you think we are moving fast enough to help these families, these veterans?
Bush: Thank you Bob -- Just because I recognize you it doesn’t mean I'm going to answer your questions today.
July 25, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (12)
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WHAT IN THE NAME OF GOD IS A MATTER WITH YOU DAMN NEWS PEOPLE. THERE WILL NEVER BE A THING DONE FOR THE VETERANS NEVER HAS SO MUCH BULL BEEN SPREAD AS WE WILL HELP OUR TROOPS--- NEVER IN THIS NATIONS CAPITAL HAS ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS DONE CRAP BUT MOUTH MOVEMENTS IN REAL TERMS OF HELP WHAT DOES A VETERAN PAY FOR MEDS AT A VA WHAT WOULD BE THE SAME COST FOR MOST MEDS AT WALMART ABOUT 1/2 SO FOR GOD SAKES SHUT UP ABOUT HOW THERE WILL BE HELP AS A DISABLED VN VET I HAVE HAD ALL THIS I CAN LISTEN TO PLEASE SHUT UP ON THIS ISSUE
Posted by: lee hamre | Jul 25, 2007 7:13:24 PM
Begining 1Sept07 the DAV in Omaha, NE, is opening a Returning Veterans Information Network, we plan to open Chapter 2 every Monday night 7:00 PM,for returning Veterans and their families to visit, and recieve information. We have been preparing our resources tailored to wounded returning veterans. Many professional people have already jumped on as available resources. From our standpoint we are: Vets helping Vets.
Can you provide us with whatever information you have gathered?
I am also a 100 0/0 disabled Vet, we know where they have been. We have been there.
Posted by: Joel Schneider | Jul 25, 2007 9:06:43 PM
since I am unable to sleep since the story I talked about earlier I will make another observation about news people why the damn fuss over the DC madam hell the US congress and the other branches are the biggest callgirls and boys WE HAVE corperate america pays them and we pay them now whom is the real madams in DC funny thing is the good ones make you feel good after you have got screwed I dont feel good anymore thank you do YOU?????????
Posted by: lee hamre | Jul 25, 2007 11:35:27 PM
I think Bob Woodruff should set up a Bob Woodruff Foundation to aid returning veterans. Count me in for at least $1000
Posted by: Ed Bolger | Jul 26, 2007 10:58:50 AM
It almost seems as if the vets, among other groups, want an advocate in their corner to be anyone but the US news media. How we got to the point that the news media is so hated in this country is arguable, but it has nonethe less.
A greater question for you, Bob: What are you and your colleagues going to do to repair the damage to your credibility?
Posted by: Bob | Jul 26, 2007 11:25:01 AM
The president is a pompous jerk, who has given little thought to the what is really in the best interest of the U.S/Vets. Why should he change now? The Vets are the last thing on his mind, I know because I am one and I have been stuck in the system not getting treatment for 4 years now! The only way anything will ever get done is if the public starts to demand change!Make some noise! It is unfortunate that people don't take action until it directly affect them or their family. Bob, I hope you can get people stirred up enough to take action. Make them mad as hell! And thanks for what ever you are doing or have done!
Posted by: James | Jul 26, 2007 3:16:47 PM
Bob Woodruff has set up the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury. The Web site is www.bobwoodrufffamilyfund.org.
Posted by: Gordon | Jul 26, 2007 8:32:23 PM
Dear Bob,
The stars must be in alignment for me to find this article today. I have already read your book since many of the same things you have gone through my wife has experienced. I'm writing this because my wife two years ago was run over in a cross walk in downtown Houston by an oil executive. She has been determined to have MTBI & PTS by doctors hear locally and from the U of Cal in Berkley. Needles to say we are in a law suit with the other side claming no injury. We just found out they have been taping us like cheap rift raft yesterday. We have been married for 34 years and Linda "had" worked 23 years in a large law firm here. I am asking that you or Lee contact me to see if your experience and or a possible friend of the court filing could be developed. Our court date is set for August 13.
Linda and I would appreciate anything you could do to help us.
Jim
PS: Exploding hard boiled eggs in the freezer ....... sound familar?
Posted by: Jim Lein | Jul 26, 2007 11:30:44 PM
BOB: YOU SHOULD NEVER FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT BEING SINGLED OUT. YOU ARE A SHINING EXAMPLE OF HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION. MARIKAY
Posted by: MARIKAY JOHNSTON | Jul 27, 2007 1:04:48 PM
Mr. Woodruff, for let me tell you, I am soooo happy that you are back and are doing well. Don't scare us like that. Second, I don't believe he would have answered the question whether you would have asked it or another reporter would have asked it. There is something about this administration that thinks if you avoid it, then it is not there or true. I know first hand what can happen to a soldier when the have PTSD, that was the down fall to my marriage, and I am sure countless more. I have learned through my ex-husband that if you tell your commanding officer that there is something wrong with you mental state, they call you a pansey and tell you to get back out there, never once thinking that you could be suffering. It is about time that we stand up and demand answers, and you are the forerunner to that cause. You have help America see exactly what is going on, and how flawed the system is. Thank You!
Posted by: Amanda | Jul 27, 2007 1:20:17 PM
Bob,
Did you read your own blog?
Jim Lein
Posted by: Jim Lein | Jul 28, 2007 11:50:17 PM
Help. Cannot find info on VA benefits for wives of vets who have died. It was on TV last Sunday. Does anyone know?
Alston (Ms)
Posted by: Alston Laughlin | Mar 5, 2008 4:45:15 PM
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