April 16, 2007 --In view of the shameful situation which has come to light at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the international Executive Committee of Democrats Abroad has passed a resolution calling for a review of conditions in all military medical facilities, urgent rectification of unsatisfactory conditions and increased funding of military and veterans' health care. Thanks to Gilbert Wells and DA Portugal for raising this issue and drafting the original proposal and Warren Furth of DA Switzerland for the final language.

Resolution on military and veterans' health care

Adopted by the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party Committee Abroad, April 3, 2007, by telephone conference.

WHEREAS the men and women of the armed services of the United States put their lives and limbs at risk in the service and defense of our country;

WHEREAS it is only fitting that a grateful nation demonstrate its deep appreciation to active duty personnel and veterans of the armed services by providing health care services of the highest quality;

WHEREAS military personnel and veterans who have been physically wounded or psychologically damaged in battle or in the course of other service to our country are especially entitled to the best possible health care that our government can provide;

WHEREAS it has been widely reported by the media and confirmed by the president, administration officials and senior military chiefs that deplorable conditions prevail at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC, and other military and veterans' hospitals;

WHEREAS physically wounded and psychologically damaged military personnel and veterans have been deprived of the prompt and comprehensive medical and rehabilitation care and treatment as well as other benefits which they need and deserve, and veterans living abroad may not have access to on-base military hospitals in locations where VA facilities are not available;

WHEREAS one of the principal causes of this disgraceful situation has been insufficient funding of military and veterans' health care facilities by the current Republican administration and the previous Republican-controlled Congress;

WHEREAS during the 109th session of Congress the Senate rejected on five occasions Democratic initiatives to provide increased funding of military and veterans' health care;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party Committee Abroad request the Democratic leadership in the Senate and the House of Representatives to:(1) urge the bipartisan Commission on Care for America's Wounded Warriors to review conditions not only at home but abroad;(2) press upon the administration the urgent need to take all necessary steps to rectify the unsatisfactory conditions noted above; and(3) introduce and adopt legislation during the current session of Congress to increase funding of military and veterans' health care facilities to the extent required to ensure the quality of medical care, treatment and rehabilitation to which military members and veterans are entitled.