WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, accused the Bush administration Thursday of ignoring its responsibility to servicemen and women before deployment, during service, and when they return to the United States.

"Our troops are stretched to the breaking point," Clinton said in an afternoon speech. "Everyone is falling into the same trap laid by a broken bureaucracy a strained military and presidential leadership that is missing in action."

Citing recent news reports and congressional hearings into poor conditions at Walter Reed Army Hosptial and other facilities for wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, Clinton proposed a new "GI Bill of Rights" that she said would: improve pre- and post deployment health screening procedures for soldiers; assist children who are orphaned when their single parent dies in conflict; and streamline the disabilities claims process for service members.

"I'm here to say that the buck does stop with this president and if he doesn't take responsibility I can assure you that the next president will," said New York senator, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.

Clinton also urged Defense officials to revisit the decision to close Walter Reed. "I am not convinced now given the increase in numbers of people who are being treated and will be treated for a long time that it makes sense to just shut it down completely so I'm asking that we take a look at that," she said.

Watch Clinton discuss Walter Reed, Iraq