How would you inspire veterans to support the VA Healthcare System and to understand that it protects us from predatory health services?

SSG William Jones I would not trade it for anything.

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin what you have described is 6 in one hand, half dozen in the other hand. In most events, we seem to be presented with tradeoffs.

Thank you for your thoughts and advice
I am experiencing the same thing

SFC Jo Ann Klawitter without being critical of any one aspect, I will say people make the difference. In the early years, for my life experience with the VA, in the 1990s when the VA was given a facelift and reorganized, the focus was on expert driven care and knowledgeable, qualified personnel. Anything less than putting effective people in any position is a disservice to the patients, the healthcare mission, and the under qualified person el delivering the services. This is why using the avenues that ignite the oversight, to get involved is important.

PO3 Phyllis Maynard I get that people are key. The problem is, if we can’t find those people who care and want to help or guide us, we can do country to complain at best. We have no other options if nothing is done. I can’t just go find another provider.

Cpl Vic Burk these are my very thoughts, about receiving my care at the VA. This is an entire Healthcare System put in place for us. Community Care is an alternative that contracts providers to render care. Again, we become an endless source of revenue for, yet again, contractors. They intentionally keep us lingering in unresolved care so they may keep getting reauthorizations to continue making money off us. In those instances, in the VA facilities where the care raises to the level of questionable there is the redress system VA OIG, Congressional Complaints, Justice Department, Civil Rights Department, Tort Claims, etc. The VA Healthcare System has checks and balances and oversight. Each VISN office has oversight of the VA Medical facilities, in its' region.

PO3 Phyllis Maynard I can verify what you are saying about Community Care providers wanting to stretch things out as much as they can to continue to keep the cash flowing. The V.A has been sending me to community care physical therapy for issues related to my cancer surgery. They wanted me to go three days a week but my schedule wouldn't permit that; I could only do two days (which they didn't like). So far, it hasn't helped a bit but they put in to get it reauthorized for fifteen additional visits. I even told the surgeon it wasn't helping and I felt like I was nothing more than their "cash cow." The V.A approved fifteen more visits but if I'm no better off after this round I'm going to stop going. I'm not going to continue to waste tax payer money on something that isn't helping. Each visit they charge the V.A between $290 and $360. The normal approved amount which they have to accept is around $68.00. I have wondered, why does community care providers try to charge to much when they know they will not get it and have to settle for less anyways?

Cpl Vic Burk spot on! They drag our care until we are exhausted and near dead because they want to revenue a certain amount off each patient and then (physical therapists are dangerous) just as in karate, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, physical therapists know how to manipulate the body to cause recurring pain and swelling, how to stop certain functions from functioning correctly. I know it was done to my right leg, I almost caused a deadly car accident when my leg went numb. The therapist created a congestion near my lymph nodes, in order for the VA to approve another 15 sessions, when my doctor sent me for e days of maintenance and new compression garments. This was done to me 8 years ago. I was sent to different lymphedema therapists. But, they all work in concert, as an industry, towards veterans, to keep the cash flow. Once I complained fiercely to my provider, I agreed to take different consults to different contractors, so she could see the pattern. She saw the pattern. But this is the problem. The way the legislation is written healthcare contractors can walk all over VA Administration. Even if the local VA Hospital Directors see suspicious behavior, they cannot override the policy and approved by Congress. So, unfortunately, VA OIG and Congressional complaints come into play. But, I work closely with my Care Providers, to give them the opportunity to see the pattern. I keep pictures and notes. When I file bigger complaints, they do not have my words, only.

SP5 Dennis Loberger well it seems you have found what works nicely, for you.

LTC Kevin B. you summed it up exquisitely with a piece of literature to back it up. I am an Amazon maniac. I am ordering the book, now.

LTC Kevin B. I tried to order 3 copies, the seller had only one copy left. I grabbed it! Thank you.