It is appalling to learn wounded war veterans are not receiving proper treatment at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the nation’s capital.

The soldiers were hurt fighting for their country in a war that continues to drag on, but their country cannot even provide adequate rehabilitation. As reported by The Washington Post in a Feb. 18 article, parts of the Medical Center are infested with mice droppings and cockroaches, while also having flat mattresses and holes in walls. More than just having to live in sub-par living conditions, many soldiers are forced to wait for treatment, meals and other services that should be supplied to them.

But maybe the most alarming thing about Walter Reed is that President Bush and other prominent officials visited wounded soldiers there on many occasions, and the president failed to notice the run-down facilities and management problems. Bush said he learned of the troubles from newspapers. If the media were aware of the putrid conditions, the commander-in-chief has no excuse for his ignorance.

To help alleviate the problems at Walter Reed, Defense Secretary Robert Gates forced Army Secretary Francis Harvey to leave his post. Gates mandated Harvey’s resignation because the former secretary planned to replace the Walter Reed commander with Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, who had previously downplayed the problems at the rehabilitation facility, according to a March 3 New York Times article.

Gates’s aggressive actions show he wants to improve conditions. Harvey deserved to lose his job if he was not seriously working to fix the Center. But if firing Harvey is the extent of Gates’s actions, he only accomplished what Harvey accomplished: redistributing blame.

Pointing fingers is not an effective strategy. There were multiple problems at the Washington hospital, and more than one person is responsible. Instead of firing leaders, Gates and other officials must find real solutions. These troops deserve better care, and they deserve it as soon as possible.

Gates was swift to hire a new secretary, and the Army named Maj. Gen. Eric Schoomaker the head of Walter Reed, as reported by the Times. Although it is important not to make rash decisions, the military must be sure to quickly address problems with soldiers’ care.

Bush announced he will establish a board to look into veterans’ treatment sometime next week. Gates planned a similar committee that will make assessments within 45 days, according to the Times.

These panels must not dawdle. According to the Post, some soldiers have been living at the Center for two years in inadequate conditions. U.S. soldiers should not have to wait anywhere near this long for proper treatment.