JMHO Loc: Utah

I agree with the writer. In addition, I believe Obamacare will mirror what is happening at the VA, once it is fully implemented.

http://townhall.com/columnists/monacharen/2014/05/30/why-va-service-wont-improve-n1845025?utm_source=thdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl

Kay Littrell

The ACA is already doing so.

leevette Loc: Florida

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"!!!!!!

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Yes and it will continue to get worse. God only knows how many will suffer under obamacare. It has already been an utterly complete failure. All of us will suffer beyond comprehension.
But for the vets, someone on here had an excellent idea. Provide our vets with ID cards with unlimited health benefits and allow them to use them any where to their choosing with all cost covered. They deserve this.

leevette Loc: Florida

An outstanding suggestion!!! BUT the so-called appropriate U. S. Government officials will find some way or excuse to say ---- it is not practical or too expensive or not necessary as VA "care is available" etc. etc. Any excuse to screw or "cut-off" services and/or benefits to and for U. S. Veterans!!!!

hprinze Loc: Central Florida

==================================

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.

Thunder

The 4 star Gen. VA Sec. had to take the fall for Obumer Remember he only JUST found out about it by watching the news . Ya Ok --- The Boy has total disconnect and could care less . 30 hrs. on A/F 1 to Afgan. stayed 4 hrs. cost about 20,000+ gal jet fuel at $6 a gal.
Question -- Did he get to play golf there on that trip or was he to busy dodging sniper fire like Hilabe said she was at one overseas trip . More BS from the same bunch . Go figure .

Kay Littrell

There are two VA health care systems, A regular VA hospital or clinic staffed with SEIU employees, and the Triad Health Insurance System.

Regardless of what some here report, VA hospitals have more in common with a Charles Dickens novel than they do with the hospital on the TV show HOUSE.

Kevyn

I think the question to ask is wether the VA is funded at the same level per patient as would be paid for people with similar needs in the private sector. I am wiling to bet that with the care needs of WWII, Korean War and Vietnam vets as they age combined with the number of horribly injured vets from Iraq and Afganistan that the VA budget is insufficient to provide the care. If this is the case give the VA the resources to provide the care our Vets deserve, and raise taxes to pay the bill. The men and women of our military earned this benefit. Are we as a nation really so cheep and selfish that we will refuse to pay for it?

JMHO Loc: Utah

Throwing money at it does not solve the problem. The VA budget has been doubled since 2005, so there is plenty of money. Having said that, a lot of that money has been bonus money paid to VA administrators. Another problem is the shortage of doctors, which will also be the problem when Obamacare is fully implemented.

Kevyn

To solve the shortage of Doctors you simply hire or contract for more Doctors. To do this you need money, this is not throwing money at a problem it is spending what is necessary to address the problem. Doubleing the budget over a decade is not enough when the demand is quadrupeled. The VA in 05 was not set up for the demands from the Wars in Iraq and Afganistan. We owe it to our service members to provide this care, it is time to pay whatever it costs and increase our taxes to pay the bill. Outside of the Vetrans and their family's the American people have not sacrificed a thing to fight these wars and many corporations have made billions, the bill is overdue and now it is time to pony up.

JMHO Loc: Utah

Absolutely clueless!!!! What planet do you spend most of your time on??????

Kevyn

You sir are obviously a cheep selfish prick who is unwilling to pay for the care of our sick and wounded Vetrans. This is about as un American as you can get. What the hell is wrong with you?

JMHO Loc: Utah

Don't lay this guilt trip off on me, jerkoff. I happen to be a veteran. You're even more clueless AND IGNORANT than I originally thought. I am not going to waste my time debating an absolute moron. Have a good day, and try and stay off the drugs.

hprinze Loc: Central Florida

================================

You're wasting your time trying to reason with someone who can't or won't listen to common sense. Someone who doesn't understand what government does with money.