Is it time to shut down the VA?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 14:18:10 -0400

It is time to shut down the VA?

RP Members what do you think? There are some points that the author makes that really hit home with me. Just looking for your feedback on this one!

LET ME CLARIFY THAT I'M NOT PERSONALLY RECOMMENDING THIS COURSE OF ACTION - THIS IS AN ARTICLE ONLY TO CREATE DISCUSSION, IDEAS, AND RESPONSES.

http://nypost.com/2015/09/24/a-permanent-solution-to-the-va-problem/

There is only one guaranteed way to get fired from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Falsifying records won’t do it. Prescribing obsolete drugs won’t do it. Cutting all manner of corners on health and safety is, at worst, going to get you a reprimand. No, the only sure-fire way to get canned at the VA is to report any of these matters to authorities who might do something about it.

That, at least, is what the US Office of Special Counsel recently reported to the president of the United States. The Special Counsel’s Office is the agency to which government whistleblowers go to report wrongdoing.

“Our concern is really about the pattern that we’re seeing, where whistleblowers who disclose wrongdoing are facing trumped-up punishment, but the employees who put veterans’ health at risk are going unpunished,” Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner recently told National Public Radio.

Now, obviously, this shouldn’t happen. Everyone, except perhaps the managers at the VA, probably agrees with that. So by all means, let’s have some reforms and further protections for whistleblowers.

But that’s not a real solution. The real fix is to get rid of the VA entirely.

It's time to shut down the VA

There is only one guaranteed way to get fired from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Falsifying records won’t do it. Prescribing obsolete drugs won’t do it. Cutting all manner of corners on healt...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 27 at 2015 2:21 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 14:21:01 -0400

No it is not time to shut down the VA COL Mikel J. Burroughs.
I would like to see HHS and VA administrative executive positions right-sized though :-)
The points the author makes could apply to any executive branch secretariat agency. It is very difficult to fire civil servants who have not been charged and convicted. We all know people who were promoted out of a place where they were causing problems because of inefficiency, etc.

Response by PFC Robert Falk made Sep 27 at 2015 2:21 PM

PFC Robert Falk — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 14:21:58 -0400

The V.A. is the only health care the wife and I have.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 27 at 2015 2:33 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 14:33:04 -0400

Shutting the VA down would be extreme,some real changes need to be made instead of talking about how bad it is.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 27 at 2015 2:50 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 14:50:17 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I don't think so, inspite of Obama care. My view of the VA health care is the motto:
"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan" (Abraham Lincoln-the 16th President of the United States)

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 27 at 2015 2:53 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 14:53:02 -0400

A medical card good in any civilian or military facility should be enough to serve the need and would avoid the corruption.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Sep 27 at 2015 3:02 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 15:02:29 -0400

The VA has to be fixed because it's broken. It's not working because of poor management. The VA should not be shut down, it should be revamped! When something that is good is broken you don't just throw it away, you fix it any way you can!

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Sep 27 at 2015 3:08 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 15:08:46 -0400

I don't think so. Casting aside the issue of taking cues from a non-veteran from the Upper West Side of Manhattan, shutting it down serves no purpose. What's the alternative? Overwhelming the Military Health System by combining the two? Who will have the priority...active duty, vets, retirees, family members? Or do we outsource everything to the private sector? Who would we hold accountable? The government would have to go after healthcare providers/organizations on an individual basis.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 27 at 2015 3:11 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 15:11:42 -0400

I've looked at this issue from a variety of angles.

First and foremost is the obligation which the government has for our service-members. As such, there must be a Dept of Veterans affairs in some form. That does not mean that the current form is correct, but that does not reduce the obligation.

Second is whether we have the capability. Since this is America, I have no doubt we do. It's just a case of whether we have developed the correct structure.

Since the VA is a Social Program, this is something we will struggle with. Our government, as a machine, is ill suited for Social Programs. It's a conceptual issue we just aren't good at. But that doesn't mean we can't evolve, and get better at it, and eventually get good at it.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 27 at 2015 4:42 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 16:42:44 -0400

What would the alternative be? Vouchers? As well as the Choice Card system has worked? I don't think so. It's damn near impossible in many places to find doctors that take Medicare or Tricare. What would veterans do?

Response by MAJ Danny Clark made Sep 27 at 2015 5:50 PM

MAJ Danny Clark — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 17:50:26 -0400

No, shutting down the VA is not the answer. We look at this article and forget VA home loans, education benefits, burials, and the myriad of other services the VA performs. We also forget the VA led the nation in medical development of hearing aids and proththesises. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 5:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 17:53:48 -0400

Only a fool would think of shutting down the VA! I don't know where anyone else goes to get their VA care, but mine is Excellent! I have been going there for almost 10 years, no real problems. Of course I might have to wait a little bit longer to see the Dr. or wait a few extra minutes for my prescriptions but BIG DEAL. These people are human, the system isn't perfect and things don't run at the speed of snapping your fingers. What would the alternative be????? Exactly.....Nothing. So I am very thankful for any care that The VA provides!

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Sep 27 at 2015 8:11 PM

SPC George Rudenko — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 20:11:29 -0400

There are certain diseases and injuries only VA knows how to treat. Shutdown would kill veterans literally.

Response by SSG Jesus Sijalbo made Sep 28 at 2015 3:06 AM

SSG Jesus Sijalbo — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 03:06:50 -0400

All of the above are not enough reason to Shut VA Down. Down size if you have too.. The Crap will Really Hit the FAN........ Pissed Off Combat Veterans and Dysfunctional ones at that. The question is what will we do If and when that happens? FUBAR!!!!!!!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 28 at 2015 3:24 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 03:24:41 -0400

Like most other posters, I don't think the VA should be shut down.

Yes it's broken and yes it needs to be fixed, but there is just too many resources dedicated to it, not to mention too many veterans dependent upon it, to literally start from scratch.

I myself am lucky that all of my health care needs can be handled by any competent doctor and are not necessarily strictly military-related disabilities (bad knees, hearing loss/tinnitus in both ears, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and sleep apnea), but a lot of vets do have conditions that are best handled by VA docs.

There's also the fact that the VA is all many vets have in the way of health care and insurance. I'm lucky being retired Navy that I have Tricare Prime but not everyone is in that situation. I also make enough money where I could afford private health insurance if I needed it but again, I'm lucky in that regard and not all vets are.

Response by SSgt Dustin Coy made Sep 28 at 2015 4:38 AM

SSgt Dustin Coy — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 04:38:08 -0400

First, I realize that the VA can definitely be a screwed up. That said, I don't believe that it is the right thing to do to completely shut it down. Especially without a real and valid replacement ready to roll. Far to many veterans would be impacted. You don't simply abandon those who gave you their everything in your hour of need. Instead, you take care of them in theirs.

My concern is that if it's shut down, without a valid, consistent replacement program already up and running, it simply makes things worse, not better in the short term at a bare minimum. Since it is a cabinet level position, it is the responsibility of the Veterans Affairs Secretary. That office needs to exercise a little more initiative and do the hard work to fix the root cause of the problem. We all recognize that it's systemic, and a change in the "culture" of the VA is what is needed to fix it. Change the culture from the top down, force feed ethical behavior if needed, those who can't or won't comply should be eliminated. Start by actually rewarding the whistle blowers and give further incentives for blowing the whistle to eliminate FWA. Do everything you can legally do to make it uncomfortable for those who are "slackers" to continue working there and are providing substandard services. Furthermore, don't just fire those who are found guilty of fraud, but actually send them to prison. And finally, use a measurement system that includes the actual veterans, where the veterans rate the care received, and in turn, use that to determine pay for performance for the local and regional managers. If they fail, adjust the individual manager's pay scale down...yeah, I said down... Make them compete for better ratings from the veterans they serve to create any increase in pay. Ultimately, if the Veterans Affairs Secretary really can't do anything to fix the problem, fire their ass, and bring in somebody who will.

That, or simply tie Congressmen to exactly the same level of benefits and care that veterans get. You do that, and something tells me that you'll have a lot of problems fixed in a real hurry.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 7:13 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 07:13:28 -0400

only fool that don't consider shut down the VA is an option. Catch my word? "Consider" Why? just think that disbanding the VA and distribute the funding like an allotment to the Vet and they seek out services or insurance will actually do more good to the Vet. As of right now, many die just on the waiting line. There are many more option to consider, by not consider new option, you are putting yourselves in a limited field of solution.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 28 at 2015 7:57 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 07:57:07 -0400

It needs reorganization

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Sep 28 at 2015 8:30 AM

SPC Nathan Freeman — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 08:30:31 -0400

I think Tricare for life would be a better solution

Response by SFC Walt Littleton made Sep 28 at 2015 9:37 AM

SFC Walt Littleton — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:37:47 -0400

I agree with the closing of the VA as it is being managed so far. These problems are nothing new and have been gong on before my time and probably since the early days. Most veterans use the facilities to treat normal age related illnesses and injuries which could be managed by local health clinics. Create one large facility located in the central US and ship war veterans with combat related injuries that would be difficult to find in their local civilian hospital. Issue a Choice Card for them to use local medical services and cost paid through VA funding. Keep the best of the best doctors and staff from around the country to staff the new facility. The facility could also be used for combat medical training and how to programs to face the new problems vets are coming home with.

Remember, Doctors and Nurses know they can make much more working in the private sector than they do in the VA. The VA has trouble trying to find quality, trained and professional employed due to the pay scales. So the VA gets the doctors and staff who are not able find suitable work or have issues in their bacgrounds keeping them from finding work in the field.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Sep 28 at 2015 12:00 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:00:21 -0400

COL Burroughs. Seriously?

Response by COL Ted Mc made Sep 28 at 2015 12:42 PM

COL Ted Mc — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:42:12 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Mikel; The VA does MUCH more than "health care" so it can't be scrapped.

HOWEVER, where there has been fraud and/or active concealing of mismanagement the people involved should be facing the judge (and pretty stiff sentences on top of that). Letting them bail out with a "golden parachute" is NOT the way to go.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 12:42 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:42:31 -0400

Well, what would the alternative be? I think the primary issue is with the Health Administration, not the other sections/benefits we receive through the Department itself... On the other hand, I am not familiar with some of the facts, but as in with any other large entity, off course there will be corruption and wasting funds, old systems that need to be replaced or phased out, etc...

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Sep 28 at 2015 12:49 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:49:01 -0400

If you shut down the VA, you will replace it with another system that will do the same because it is human nature to be selfish and lazy. Best thing is to imposes punishment of pay and prison at all levels and do away with bonuses that only feeds the selfish nature in us.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Sep 28 at 2015 12:54 PM

SA Harold Hansmann — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:54:28 -0400

Granted, some of the whistle blowers might be trying to get a fast promotion, but the rest are trying to be responsible adults who care. Each incident should be looked into, dealt with appropriately and moved on.
But, until we get a veteran (who gives a damn about his brothers and sisters) in charge of the va nothing is gonna change.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Sep 28 at 2015 2:52 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:52:20 -0400

The quick answer is a resounding YES.
But if you think about it then the answer is NO. And that is because even if you close the VA, then what is going to happen? Where will all the veterans who are receiving care and payments report to? Even if as some propose to reassign the VA under another government entity your only going to shift the current problems to another Department Head.
Someone really just needs to step up and start fixing the problems with the VA instead of smiling, frowning and giving speeches at the appropriate time.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 3:36 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:36:15 -0400

He looks like Gollum! What have you done?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 10:13 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 22:13:04 -0400

Of course, don't shut down the VA but here's something to throw out for discussion--combine the VA, military health care system/TRICARE into one system and one bureaucracy. Due to economies of scale you would have one bureaucracy instead of 2--and would facilitate coordination of care from recruit and veteran or retiree with one medical record system and one bureaucracy. As with any change you would have to work out the kinks, and set the procedures, benefits, but, while I am not claiming to be an expert, i'm wondering if it would save and enhance benefits in the long run. Combine the VA choice concept with TRICARE civilian care. Such merger shouldn't change benefits; if anything the savings from combining into one system should allow room to increase/enhance benefits. Both systems deal with people who are or who have been in the military; why have two systems? Interested to hear any input.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Sep 28 at 2015 10:30 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 22:30:52 -0400

The VA should not be shut down! Overhauled is a better answer. The VA is a cost the country must bear if it wants a viable military. I am sure that there is fat at the top that can be eliminated. Put the money where the vets are not in the top offices. Eliminate ways for the lazy and cheaters to not get caught and fired.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 12:23 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 00:23:22 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Every heard of a tear down? When it's more cost efficient to start completely over than to try to fix what is wrong. We may be at this point with the V.A. as it is right now.

Response by Cpl Chris Rice made Sep 29 at 2015 1:22 AM

Cpl Chris Rice — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 01:22:40 -0400

Actually this week I have an example of my Department of Veterans Affairs care, I just moved to the area and began a new job which offers medical insurance. I actually took this medical insurance, it’s great medical insurance, although the healthcare system that I’m able to access was not able to give me into a new patient appointment until November 2, 2015. On the other hand I went to the local VA, and they were able to give me a new patient appointment within a week for mental health services, and many of their services were available on a walk-in basis. For example the new patient appointment for primary care you simply showed up at 8 AM on any given day provided you had fasted the night before and you could accomplish your new patient in processing.

This afternoon after my appointment in which my physician and I decided to change one of my medications I had an adverse reaction and had to go to the emergency room. The wait in the emergency room was long, but one of the things I noticed is that veterans often use the emergency room inappropriately just as much a civilians do. The VA’s emergency room is the only one where I’ve ever seen the nurses calling patients back have to go outside and check the smoker’s area, I guess my problem as a nurse is that if you are so comfortable that you go outside and smoke, maybe you don’t need the emergency room. Please don’t take this as judgment on those of the veterans, there may not have been another service available that would’ve been more appropriate, although our hospital does have an urgent care.

There are people who need the VA more than I do, and as soon as available I will be switching out of the VA healthcare system to make room for those is more appropriate for. Primarily because I’m not actually treating any service-connected issues, but for all the years that I have been receiving VA care while they may not have been perfect they have taken care of me. I do think that sometimes veterans have poor expectations of what the healthcare system actually is capable of doing in the current healthcare climate.

Response by LTC Marc King made Sep 29 at 2015 12:59 PM

LTC Marc King — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 12:59:57 -0400

either shut it down or contract it out to industry -- big hospital group that will run it efficiently, close obsolete or underutilized facilities, hire competent medical and admin staff and treat veterans with the respect and dignity they have earned. Clearly running a big corporation does not qualify one to run a big government operation -- even if you did attend West Point!

Response by LCpl Adrian Ward made Sep 29 at 2015 6:17 PM

LCpl Adrian Ward — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 18:17:13 -0400

Please just pay all disabled vets 100% compensation and disband VA healthcare system

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 9:23 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 21:23:39 -0400

It will be a very egregious decision to close the VA since most private healthcare sectors find it difficult understanding the needs of the Veterans and how to meet these needs. There is obviously no doubt that re-engineering will bring significant pragmatic changes that will benefit our well-deserved heroes and heroines.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 11:07 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 23:07:10 -0400

I think the VA does a good job at some locations. From the little I've seen it seems to have a lot to do with the amount of resources available

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 1:21 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 01:21:06 -0400

No it's time to fund the VA

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 2:27 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 02:27:04 -0400

The VA (in the recent year or two) has done a huge turn around and excellent job at expediting Educational benefits and disability for many soldiers. I think the days of wait 3 years for a response are gone, and what I have heard lately are 3-6 months, which is understandable and acceptable to me considering the amount of VA employees versus the large amount of veterans they care for. They are also hiring at a large quantity.
With all of that being said, I question the way they provide CARE for the veterans who may suffer from mental health issues. My brother has been admitted several times to the VA Psych Hospitals and they usually let him go within days, but his mental health is far from acceptable to be out in the world on his own. I just do not understand it, but I could just as easily blame the ridiculous HIPAA rules and regulations, as I could blame the VA

Response by SSgt Tameka Peoples made Sep 30 at 2015 3:29 AM

SSgt Tameka Peoples — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 03:29:56 -0400

Okkk so lets first be honest about how the VA started..a Medical physician in the military and he began to form partnerships with "local" hospitals to augment the service that couldn't be provided at the Military facility. The rep. also realized that the hospitals could continue to support in some capacity and that the DoD needed to have a institution in charge of he aftercare of that Vet. Long story short…the VA and its woo's are one of the main reasons why: Joint Ethics Regulations (JER) exist today. It's storied history includes testing on veterans (namely african americans). It establishes relationships with hospitals to support, provide services and yes "code" (before the latest scandal) for the VA. It is able to do this because the VA inherently has a 501c3 arm to establish those support relationships--through concierge contracts. It needs to REVAMPED and that is an understatement. Also, lets be clear about "College EDU" benefits…The dirty little secret is College should be free for all.. Yes, they too are Non-Profits (Trustee/board of directors/boosters) making billions and charging our kids/families millions in student loans etc. Then the biggest insult is the military/vet. benefit smoke screen. They get a gov. kick back in via grants or reimbursement of fees to do so. What a faces, self licking ice cream coneI want my tax dollars back… ALL Non-profit Public benefit organizations should be looked at and revamped and ESPECIALLY the VA. Want your own proof..easy a trust is a contract between corporations. It's required for each "corporation" that has a trust (i.e. Non-Profits) in each state to register their trust with the state attorney general. Secondly all Non-profits have to report income/payouts via IRS form 990. Now go on IRS sit type form 990, and you can search the database, type your state and look for your favorite institution. now when you see it in that list it means its a non-profit. Now ask yourself how much they make in endorsements through their "boosters"/trustees and how much they pay their coaches a year and what's the coaches bonus if they get to a bowl game…Then ask yourself if anyone especially you and your children should be paying the type of tuition they do to go to hat school. secondly why we should give them a kickback for giving 75% off (Active duty TA) for the he military members to go there…hmm very fraud waste and abuse to me. REVAMP them all START with the VA

Response by SPC Nick Lai made Sep 30 at 2015 10:57 AM

SPC Nick Lai — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:57:53 -0400

Sometimes I wondered are these people hired to screw over the veterans or to solve the problems. Why aren't they getting the pay cut first, don't they have some other budgets to cut better than our veterans' benefits, nowadays illegals are having better benefits than we are, I really hope that People that sitting in DC stop thinking veterans are the threats to America.

Response by Sgt Ronnie Mack made Sep 30 at 2015 10:57 AM

Sgt Ronnie Mack — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:57:59 -0400

What kind of stupid question is this? It's bad enough that we don't get the respect that's due. Now u wanna take one of the most beneficial institutions from us?!

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Sep 30 at 2015 5:21 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 17:21:23 -0400

Well let me ask this...Is it time to shut down the military??? Or just bring all our troops home and worry about our own country??? This would abolish ever having to deal with a wounded soldier again, unless we were attacked of course. This would also increase the amount of money that this country has since the military is 2nd to welfare only in this country, think of how much we could use towards our national debit!!! Of course my comments are absurd, just as absurd as this notion. Do you really think that a person is going to serve this country knowing that when they get all FUBAR serving their country they are gonna get tossed to the side?

Response by 1SG James A. "Bud" Parker made Oct 1 at 2015 4:07 PM

1SG James A. "Bud" Parker — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 16:07:30 -0400

The Veteran's Administration is showing the same symptoms that the entire Federal Government is flaunting to the entire world. Graft, payola, corruption, and an in your face attitude illustrating that "they" know the citizens either can't, or won't do anything about it. "We, The People" have lost control of the government we created. Not entirely dissimilar to the story of Frankenstein's Monster.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 4:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 16:31:34 -0400

I think it is time. Outsource it.

Response by Cpl Chris Rice made Oct 1 at 2015 7:41 PM

Cpl Chris Rice — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:41:03 -0400

This article is adorably naïve, and the proposed solution does nothing more than to pass the problem to the states at an individual level. I am never for the federal government cutting checks to individual states for their local elected officials to handle, primarily because while those local people may be able to hold those elected officials accountable; it is actually my money as well, and I do not vote for the governor of other states, nor do I have an elected representative in their legislative body.

The issue in the United States is there is a provider gap, it’s great to want to reduce wait times for veterans to get into see a doctor, but if there is no doctor to see them it doesn’t matter how well the department is administered. I wrote earlier about how I needed to be seen and my local private healthcare system was unable to see me for almost two months, while the VA was able to get me in within a week. This is because in my local area the VA has a smaller provider gap than the local private healthcare system.

The best way to put this is that per every 100,000 people in the United States in 2015 5.2 will go to medical school, in the year 1980 7.3 went to medical school. In 1980 the population was also significantly younger on average, think about this in terms of the Department of Veterans Affairs which is dealing with veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, OIF, and OEF. So there are obvious reforms that need to happen, but the primary question that is not being addressed though is how do we get more doctors, physician’s assistants, and nurse practitioners as a ratio of our population. We see hospitals doing things such as hiring transcriptionists, using telemedicine, and some other things to extend the effectiveness of the provider, but it’s not enough we need more providers. Where I’m from people who complain the most about the VA have one of two things in common, they have never been to the VA, or they’ve never been somewhere other than the VA.

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Jun 16 at 2021 10:13 AM

LTC Ken Connolly — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 10:13:36 -0400

Read through the article. The presenter meanders a bit. For one thing, it is a fallacy that Federal employees can't be fired, it, just like even in today's commercial world, the supervisor has to have records of the employee's less than satisfactory performance, counselling records, etc. I have worked on both sides of the fence and HR is the same when it comes to firing an employee. On the other hand, there are ways to eliminate employees from and organization without "firing" them.

It appears, many complaints I read about the VA is its inability to meet the demands of the Veterans for medical treatment and disability compensation. The quality of medical care appears to be regional. Some VA hospitals do a more than satisfactory job, while others fall down on the job. Vets, could also be confused by which Vet. hospitals are run by the Feds and which are run by the States and therefore, maybe criticizing the wrong institution.

In any case, what is the solution...privatizing the hospitals?...and records processing?...reduce misuse of Vet resources? However, can't identify or solve the problem here. Keep on the VA and Congressional Reps to fix the problems.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2021 11:22 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 11:22:36 -0400

Shut down the VA medical care and allow us to go to outside doctors.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jun 16 at 2021 11:34 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 11:34:57 -0400

I believe shutting down the VA medical care portion is the right thing to do and to privatize it. I see my doctor who is a civilian and my specialists are civilian. When I needed care from the VA it was going to take months to get it if I got it at all. They providers at the VA clinics will tell you their hands are when it comes to medical care. I think the VA as a whole should stay, the compensation, the burial, the education benefits, home loans etc but I think it would be better for veterans to have private and continuous health care with a provider that understands them versus a cookie cutter approach to medicine.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 16 at 2021 1:58 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 13:58:08 -0400

I don't think killing the VA is the answer. I think we will end up with more inefficiency and lack of efficacy as we stand up 50 new bureaucratic organizations to support veterans. I love my VA Hospital. I think it is great, and I don't want it replaced.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Jun 16 at 2021 2:12 PM

SGT Herbert Bollum — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 14:12:54 -0400

FIX it up the way it is supposed to be run, throw out the bureaucrats and put in only the most capable persons in the positions.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2021 2:49 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 14:49:38 -0400

No system is perfect. The VA management system does need tweaking to make for a better operation. You run into "Rules" like having to justify continuing care with a community provider you were already seeing. This happened to me when I was finally ready to talk about my sexual assault to the one provider I trusted the male social worker said I had to talk to him first before he could forward my consult for continuing care. That triggered anxiety and several weeks of nightmares. Their rules can be quite harmful to veterans.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Jun 16 at 2021 3:52 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 15:52:42 -0400

YES!!! The disabled Vets deserve better. Put them under Tricare [or another insurance coverage] and set up 100% coverage for them. Most of their care can be handled locally. Should special care be needed, the Vet can be referred to a specialist. Travel cost and lodging, if required, would be included in the coverage for them. It has to be cheaper than the present system and provide better care.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Jun 16 at 2021 5:05 PM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 17:05:21 -0400

I love the VA. Yes, it could be better.

Response by SFC Chris Boston made Jun 16 at 2021 5:16 PM

SFC Chris Boston — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 17:16:13 -0400

What people fail to understand is that in general Americans are unhappy with their medical system. Dealing with insurance companies absolutely sucks! The VA isn't any different. I know several retirees/veterans that use the VA, none are unhappy. I don't because I earn too much. Whatever, I think the bad press the VA gets is partly political and partly a bunch of whiners.

Response by MSgt Robert Gazy made Jun 16 at 2021 8:37 PM

MSgt Robert Gazy — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 20:37:56 -0400

Jonah Golldberg's thesis is a laughable proposition, but not surprising considering his anti-government libertarian views. Remember, unlike most veterans Golberg comes from a family of considerable wealth and never passes an opportunity to declare how much better we would all be if there was little to no government involvement in anything. Well, sure, the rich would all be better off: they don't need Social Security, disability, Medicare, or any of the other social safety nets that require taxpayer support. The rich can pay whatever the market demands for housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and entertainment and still have plenty left over to invest, speculate, save, buy a boat, and leave a huge pile of cash to their children who will begin their life far ahead of most other American kids. But of course he might have to give up the boat and his fourth BMW if we ask him to pay extra taxes, and that is simply unacceptable to him.

He says instead of fixing the problems uncovered by the special counsel investigating the VA, we should abolish it. Really? Tell me, who investigates your local clinic or hospital's wrongdoing? They are sometimes guilty of malfeasance or malpractice that negatively affects their patients lives. If you or your family member are a patient there who has been harmed, who do you turn to for help? A lawyer? Who's going to pay for that? Will your local politician answer your call to investigate them? Maybe, but I doubt we will ever read about your case in the newspaper, and real changes will likely only be forced on them if you are awarded a large settlement that gets their attention. In contrast, the VA (just like the rest of the government) always seems to be in hot water. Why? Because they are a public agency subject to public scrutiny and disclosure. There are investigations, Inspectors General, and public committees that expose the problems, a news media that highlights them and makes everyone angry, and (in theory) politicians who respond with corrective legislation. This is an imperfect and frustrating system, but anyone who thinks that the private healthcare system is any better in terms of holding wrongdoing accountable should have to prove it, and Goldberg certainly doesn't in in his article.

Goldberg goes on to suggest the government pay veterans to get healthcare privately. This is such an obvious bait and switch: just look at what DoD did with TRICARE, promising free healthcare for life to retirees, then adding co-pays, raising deductibles, and now charging annual fees. Any good libertarian knows that dangling the cash carrot is better than guaranteeing service, because people like cash and the accountants can always find ways to reduce the future payouts by changing the math, just like they have changed the way Cost-of-Living increases for active duty, retirees, and Social Security recipients are calculated over the years as the natural course of inflation eats-up the value of each dollar.

While Goldberg makes great points about accountability for ineffectiveness at the VA, it might be important to remember that while we all "hate" bureaucracy, it bears reminding that bureaucracies exist to serve an important purpose: namely, longevity and existence over the long haul. The reason for all the rules, regulations, procedures, and controls is to make sure the institutions survive over time and continue to deliver service in the future. Bureaucracy is almost synonymous with institution. Businesses, on the other hand, must be efficient and flexible, taking risks to stay competitive and stay profitable. Because of this businesses often fail, even big ones. Institutions may be less efficient and even sometimes wasteful, but they are more stable, and that's important for a well-functioning society seeking to create some predictability for its future.

Goldberg suggests moving VA services to state control. In some ways this could have benefits from local accountability, but let's face it: decentralizing the VA would lose any economies of scale that they already get, like negotiating cheap prescription drug and medical equipment deals. When the VA seeks a contract, vendors pay attention. I wonder if Goldberg thinks that each National Guard should negotiate their own weapon contracts too. What a mess that would be! It seems like more efficiency could be gained by bringing VA healthcare and military healthcare closer together rather than fracturing the system further.

Goldberg ends his article with a rant about the EPA and complaints about government accountability in general, but provides no alternative method for how privatizing veteran health care would make it more accountable. I assume he would say the free market is accountable to customer choice, and that is true in general over the long term, as long as the playing field is level (a function the government has to referee). Unfortunately, the only thing certain is that the free market best serves those who can pay the most, which includes the rich like Goldberg and excludes most veterans. Abolishing the VA (and most other government functions) is a libertarian dream that simply leaves veterans with no guarantees, no advocate, and less power than they have already.