In a downsizing Army, do you think twice before seeking health care?

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 16:42:03 -0400

Do you think twice about seeking medical care? How about mental health care? Do you worry that, because we are downsizing, the medical professionals have been directed to seek opportunities to weed people out? Are the DOD's interests (downsizing) at odds with giving you the best care?

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 23 at 2015 5:39 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 17:39:07 -0400

I don't have an answer for this, being retired now, but I do remember the push to get AD military in all branches to "seek help" and to help reduce the stigma surrounding seeking help for injuries, illnesses and MH issues. Since my retirement, I've noticed that, with downsizing in all branches, and through still working/communicating with AD through my job, that many are actually "seeking care" for many things elsewhere when they can for this reason, going so far as to take leave if necessary to prevent flying above the radar. I'm curious to hear some of the AD responses to this to see if what I've notice is affecting the entire force, or just my observation from my neck of the woods... I think this is a great question that many could be concerned about as from my POV, there seems to be an "undoing" of something that took a while to be considered "ok"...

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 23 at 2015 5:56 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 17:56:42 -0400

I remember when seeking any kind of help for "mental" was stigmatized in regards to Security Clearances.

I have full faith in our Medical Professionals. I don't think any of our PEOPLE would ever actively try to weed someone out. I do however think they may have their hands tied by the system for keeping someone in.

If someone had a specific type of injury, and during a reenlistment physical it came up, I don't think they would be able to ignore it.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Aug 24 at 2015 11:20 AM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:20:34 -0400

I had so many things wrong with me that are untreated and misdiagnosed that I definitely think twice before going to another useless doctor's appointment. I should have gone through a MEB by now, and will probably get fucked out of getting medically retired when I get out in a few months because they refused to process the paperwork for one. The doctors appointments I have gone to, the doctors primarily use wedmd to diagnosis or find tests. When wedmd fails, my doctors give up. Half of the treatments I could benefit from aren't even offered in a MTF, but are offered at the VA. It's extremely disheartening to be denied a MEB, when it could have resulted in a PEB that would allow me to seek treatment at the VA. Not that I trust the VA to treat me, but at least they would authorize the treatments that could help. From my perspective, they are only weeding out people who have simple cases because the doctors are too lazy to do the paperwork and testing required for the most complex cases.