WASHINGTON (AP) – Lawmakers say they want to know why American troops returning from combat are being stuck in dilapidated housing and battling excessive red tape to get medical care.
“We want answers,” said Senator Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska. “We want to know why things were overlooked and why matters were not addressed when brought to the leadership’s attention.”

Mr. Nelson and other members of the Senate Armed Services Committee were expected to pepper Army officials Tuesday with questions about Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where wounded soldiers have said they experienced neglect and substandard living conditions.

Meanwhile, President Bush has decided to have former Senator Dole of Kansas and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala lead a White House investigation. Mr. Bush was to announce his appointments later Tuesday in a speech to the American Legion.

During a hearing Monday, two soldiers wounded in combat and a spouse of a wounded soldier recounted nightmarish stories of frustration as they tried to get medical attention and disability compensation.

Several lawmakers say they are concerned Walter Reed reflects a much broader problem of the nation’s ability to care for the thousands of soldiers gravely wounded from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I’m afraid this is just the tip of the iceberg, that, when we (get) out into the field, we may find more of this,” said Representative Tom Davis, Republican of Virginia, a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee that held the Monday session.

Veterans Affairs Secretary James Nicholson – who on Monday announced new measures to speed the processing of military benefit claims and cut through red tape for soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan – said Tuesday the horror stories emerging from the hearings were “unacceptable.”

“It breaks my heart,” Mr. Nicholson told CBS’ “The Early Show.” But he drew a distinction between the benefit claims backlog and the delivery of needed medical treatment. “If they come to us for health care they are admitted immediately,” he said.

Army officials said they accept responsibility but denied knowing about most of the problems.

“Simply put, I am in command,” said Lieutenant General Kevin C. Kiley, who was in charge of Walter Reed from 2000 until 2004, when he became Army surgeon general. “And as I share these failures, I also accept the responsibility and the challenge for rapid corrective action.”

General Kiley said he had been aware of some issues, including an October service assessment citing problems with Walter Reed staffing, medical evaluations and patient handling.

But when asked by Representative Christopher Shays, Republican of Connecticut, why he hadn’t acted or asked Congress for money to fix the problems, Kiley said he did not think money was the issue. The general said the system for outpatient care is “complex, confusing and frustrating” and that more doctors, nurses and other staff are being brought in to lower the case load and so speed the process.

Lawmakers said they were skeptical.

“What you’re saying though, under oath, is that you have all the resources necessary to you,” said Mr. Shays. “And I honestly don’t believe that. I don’t believe that.”

Democrats have vowed to add money to the Bush administration’s request for war spending to take care of wounded active-duty troops and improve health care for retired veterans.

“Our budget will make new or expanded investments in shared national priorities – from preparing our children for success to honoring our veterans with services worthy of their sacrifice – within the context of fiscal reality and reforms that will help ensure taxpayer dollars are wisely spent,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of Claiforniaf.