leevette wrote:
NOTE FROM THE "PAST": In 1946 right after I came home from the South Pacific during WW II and discharged from the Army, , I was living in Washington, D. C. I had a ruptured appendicitis. The VA sent me immediately to the U. S. Navy Hospital Bethesda, Md. The operation, treatment. after care and any required "services" was fantastic . I never had such wonderful medical care except when I broke my arm overseas! The gist of this "story" is that, at ONE time/period, VA was "on the ball" and did a great "job" --- for me! I immediately went back overseas for 25 years with the U. S. Government BUT during that period and since I started to hear that the VA was NOT doing a very good "job" for the benefit of U. S., veterans! Therefore, all the furor nowadays about VA's faults is NOT totally the fault of its current director ------ it has been a long-time "affair! And, as usual, the U. S. veterans are getting the "shaft"!!!!!!
NOTE FROM THE "PAST": In 1946 right aft... (
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I have been in the VA health care system for over 12 years. I have had two major surgeries, at least 50 eye treatments for macular degeneration, audiology treatments, exams, and hearing aids. I have a primary care physician who was with a highly rated, prestigious local clinic. He was encouraged to leave there because he was "taking too much time with his patients". They wanted him to produce six patient billings every hour.
The doctors, nurses, practicioners, technicians, orderlies, shuttle bus drivers, and clerks have exhibited the highest degree of professionalism, competence, caring, dedication, and jist plain respect for the veterans they serve.
As for "long waits" for appointments, if I believe I need attention before my next appointment, I can and have picked up my phone and requested and received an earlier appointment. There is also a 24/7 urgent care walk in clinic where attention, treatment, and timely referrals to oother needs are available. My eye doctors have told me that if I need immediate help, I can walk in and I will be taken care of.
I believe the current hoopla from news media and politicians is nothing more than a witch hunt, fueled by the media's quest for sensationalism and the politicians' quest for publicity and their desire for an image depicting them as "fighting for our veterans".
I readily admit that I have no experience with all the VA health facilities. Some may have some problems. I believe that these problems could be solved more quickly without the witch hunting by the news media and some politicians.
It should be pointed out that there are two main divisions of the VA. One is the health care division and the other is the benefits division. I have heard for several years that claims through the benefits division sometimes take an unacceptably long time. I would think part of that problem might be too many people who should not be receiving disability payments are clogging the system. PURE GUESSING ON MY PART. But the backlog of claims has been greatly reduced recently and work is continuing to speed up the process.