U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-2nd, who visited the Walter Reed Army Medical Center this week, says he is pleased with the progress being made on repairs there.

In February, Donnelly was in the vanguard of House members concerned with conditions at the facility.

U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., also got into the fray, co-sponsoring legislation with Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., that was aimed at improving care and reducing red tape.

Most of the complaints centered on living conditions in buildings used as outpatient residential quarters.

Bayh and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., took on another aspect of the problems facing wounded military personnel last month when they introduced legislation to extend active duty status for soldiers suffering from traumatic brain injuries.

Following an inspection earlier this year, Donnelly said he found numerous problems, from mold to peeling paint and rusty pipes. Bayh also mentioned rodent droppings and cockroach infestations.

Things have gotten better since those early reports, according to Donnelly.

His most recent tour, Donnelly said, was guided by Gen. Eric Schoomaker, the new commander of Walter Reed.

"The fact that General Schoomaker personally guided my tour demonstrates to me that the Army is taking the situation at Walter Reed seriously," Donnelly said.

"It's unfortunate that the situation deteriorated as far as it did. But it's looking like the Army is working hard to correct the problems."

During the past month, Bayh and Clinton have rounded up eight co-sponsors for their bill and have asked the Defense Department to grant a one-year medical extension to cover treatment options for service members suffering from traumatic brain injuries.

Staff writer James Wensits:
jwensits@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6353