Are you part of the 10% who has to wait over 30 days to see your doc?

2015-11-08T11:24:03-05:00

http://www.press.org/news-multimedia/news/va-secretary-mcdonald-touts-reforms-hes-implemented-during-press-club-luncheon

I can't seem to shake the old axiom that there are 3 sides to every story, his side, her side and then the truth. While touting the number of hires, he fails to address or correlate the number of "resignations." When he asserts almost 2300 employees terminated, some if not many of us interpret "terminate" as a forced action, an implication VA seems to relish in as an accomplishment. What this article doesn't seem to capture is that at this same event, he's beginning to challenge the need to provide care to veterans who have Medicare. These veterans can obtain care on the outside. A dramatic shift of VA policy that was established in the 80's, when Dr. Kizer, then Undersecretary for Health at VA fought to expand eligibility so that VA can treat the related health issues affecting the service connected conditions, to what we now know as Primary Care. What isn't highlighted in shifting these veterans to seek Medicare treatment is that under Medicare there is a co-pay. At this event, a knee replacement was referenced, where a veteran pays no co-pay in VA, there is a $5,000 co-pay under Medicare. Slippery slope if the movement is to push Medicare eligible veterans into the private sector. And let's not overlook the fact that as young veterans have little to no experience with Medicare, the prospect VA is hoping to change with these veterans' voices will haunt them once they become Medicare eligible. (Disclaimer: I am not Medicare eligible and won't be for maybe 7 years or so) Also, please don't misunderstand, there has been much done in the past few years, some happened naturally (evolution of the funding/grant program) and some were forced by legislation. Let's not fall into a false sense of significant improvement based on the "party" line he is preaching. Notice he references since 2010, he wasn't in charge in 2010. Some of VA accomplishments he highlights are things that were done well before his tenure. For example, Shingles vaccine was approved in 2006 and VA doesn't seem to even get a by-line for assisting in the development of this vaccine.

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VA Secretary McDonald touts reforms he's implemented during Press Club Luncheon

In the aftermath of a scandal involving long waiting lines at veterans hospitals and falsified records, progress is being made, but there is still lots of work to done, Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald repeatedly said during a Nov. 6 National Press Club Luncheon. The former CEO of Proctor & Gamble and graduate of the U.S.

Response by SFC Wade W. made Nov 8 at 2015 11:25 AM

2015-11-08T11:25:30-05:00

Yes. Unfortunately.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 11:25 AM

2015-11-08T11:25:57-05:00

Luckily, my doc has weekend hours and closely monitors Healthevet Secure Message.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Nov 8 at 2015 12:14 PM

2015-11-08T12:14:45-05:00

Sadly, there is a huge national shortage of doctors. Add to that the VA's failure to anticipate the demand from aging Vietnam vets and all the post 9/11 vets, and you have a huge crisis. It will take lots of work, and a little foresight, including programs to pay for doctor's medical school costs for a commitment to serve at VA for a minimum number of years.

The rub is that the VA has to request and then CONgress authorize such a program. In the anti-spending climate of the GOP right now that's not likely to happen...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 12:29 PM

2015-11-08T12:29:10-05:00

Not at all. My VA is prompt, courteous and timely for appointments.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 8 at 2015 2:58 PM

2015-11-08T14:58:07-05:00

Only 10% wait over 30 days? I waited 3 months in Phoenix. These numbers seem incredibly low to me.

Response by SGT C Mendez made May 23 at 2016 10:15 PM

2016-05-23T22:15:24-04:00

Yup...put on waiting list last month for ankle surgery. I got VA choice and so far it's working out well. But the VA has yet to pay that civilian doctor that I saw. (Maybe it changed and they got paid).