[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 10 (Monday, March 12, 2007)]
[Page 271]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With Cochairs of the President's Commission 
on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors

March 7, 2007

    I am concerned that our soldiers and their families are not getting 
the treatment that they deserve, having volunteered to defend our 
country. Any report of medical neglect will be taken seriously by this 
administration, and I'm confident by the Congress, and we will address 
problems quickly.
    I've asked two of America's fine public servants, Senator Dole and 
Secretary Shalala, to chair a Commission that will analyze our health 
care both at the Defense Department and at the Veterans Department, to 
ensure that not only our soldiers but their families have complete 
confidence in the Government's upholding its responsibility to treat 
those who have been wounded.
    I am concerned that there may be flaws in the system between when a 
soldier is on the battlefield, through the Defense Department, through 
the Veterans Administration, and finally to the community. I can't think 
of two better people to analyze the situation and to make 
recommendations, two people to lead a Commission of probably nine 
people, and that would be Senator Dole, who is himself a veteran, and a 
wounded veteran at that, a former distinguished Senator, a man who knows 
Washington well, but more importantly, he knows the kind of questions to 
ask; and Secretary Shalala, who is an expert on health. She lived after 
8 years in President Clinton's administration; she knows what to look 
for; she knows the questions to ask.
    And I'm confident that this Commission will bring forth the truth. 
And as I assured the Chairmen, I am confident that there will be a quick 
response to any problems that you may find. So I can't thank you enough 
for taking time, and to serve your nation once again. God bless. Thank 
you.

Note: The President spoke at 10:12 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to former Senator Bob Dole; and 
former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna E. Shalala.