Should the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System be abolished?

2017-12-08T03:08:09-05:00

I think we can all agree that the VA is essentially useless as it stands currently with all of the problems they have. My question is should the VA be abolished all together? I think it should be abolished and anybody medically discharged for a service connected illness/injury, current SMs, or anybody discharged with an HD that has served at least their first enlistment, should qualify. These people should receive a card stating this person is a SM or Veteran of the US military and is entitled to free healthcare at any healthcare facility in the United States to be be paid for 100% by the government. I don't think we'd have to be concerned with wait times, suicide hotline hang-ups, negligent doctors/nurses, etc. What are your thoughts on this? Our SMs and Vets deserve better treatment and IMHO, if the VA was abolished....they/we would receive it.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Dec 8 at 2017 3:14 AM

2017-12-08T03:14:45-05:00

No way

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2017 3:40 AM

2017-12-08T03:40:16-05:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member as flawed and infuriating as the system is there is no better replacement for it until I hear of clear better replacement I would always say no.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 8 at 2017 4:10 AM

2017-12-08T04:10:50-05:00

I realize you are on active duty SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member so you have no first-hand experience with the VAMC system.
I have 4 years experience and I am generally pleased with my cardiac, gastroenterology, orthopedic, physical therapy, neurology, psychiatry and dermatology, etc. treatment by the VAMC system.
The VBA assessment system is problematic and needs work but the VAMC system provides needed care to millions of veterans with little other choice. In that are the VA is doing yeoman's work IMHO.
I am seen by both VAMC and military service medical personnel since I am now fully retired.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown Maj Marty Hogan SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt Private RallyPoint Member SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC Private RallyPoint Member SrA Christopher Wright PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Michael Thorin SPC Margaret Higgins SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Dec 8 at 2017 5:23 AM

2017-12-08T05:23:11-05:00

I haven't had to deal with V A health care yet, but the people I know that have gone to any of their facilities have had positive feed on their experiences.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Dec 8 at 2017 5:36 AM

2017-12-08T05:36:35-05:00

"I think we can all agree"....speak for yourself. I do not agree with that false inference.

I know a lot of great people who work in the VA who are committed to providing the best healthcare possible for our veterans. Plus, I know many veterans who have been very happy with the care they've received through the VA. Like any big organization, it does face its challenges. However, blowing it up and thinking that will solve the problem is an overly simplistic and intellectually weak (and naively Utopian) mindset. Leaders face challenges head-on by rolling up their sleeves and working to help solve the problem. Your approach is to avoid the problem and to push it off to someone else, thinking they'll solve it. Meanwhile, veterans would be forced to venture out into the private system and face the cost, quality and access constraints that many other private citizens face.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Dec 8 at 2017 6:19 AM

2017-12-08T06:19:45-05:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member: I have one hundred percent access to my local VA. Their motto is: "You served us; now let us serve you". I am treated so very fairly, kindly, lovingly and well; at my local VA. I Depend on my local VA; for the majority of my health care. (I receive acupuncture; thanks to the VA Choice Program). I would Never want the VA system to be abolished. -Most Sincerely, Margaret

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 8 at 2017 7:15 AM

2017-12-08T07:15:11-05:00

I know the VA gets a bad rap and in many cases may well deserve it. There are likely excellent hospitals and some that are not. I can tell you that my Dad who was career USAF and a disabled veteran used the VA hospital here in Tampa, Florida regularly.

I went there many times (as did my bothers and sister and mom) and interacted with the staff there many, many times when my Dad was hospitalized over the years. They have been nothing but professional and caring and have gone out of their way to talk with us, spend time with us etc. The care has been stellar.

My dad passed away at the end of October. We had him back in the VA and his condition had simply over taken him. We had to make the tough decision to cease the life support as a family. They VA had people there to help us through the decision making process, connecting us with the right resources to get through the process etc.

When we disconnected the life support, there were two nurses assigned to us to help ensure Dad was not in pain and to provide us anything we needed. They even set up their break room for us to use, set up refreshments etc.

When my Dad died, the nurses were upset as many had cared for him over the years. They handled him with respect and dignity. When the mortuary team came up, they asked us to step out of the room for a few minutes. They put his body on a gurney that has a box over it, they draped the flag over his body and escorted him to the morgue. It was solemn, professional and honorable. Going down the hallways and having other veterans stop to let us pass, placing a hand over their hear or rendering a salute was humbling. I don't mind telling you I tear up just typing this and thinking about the manner in which they handled everything.

Do we need to improve the VA, yes we do, but there are facilities that have it figured out we need to emulate. It is not perfect but I have been to civilian hospitals that could learn a lot from James A Haley Veterans Hospital here in Tampa.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Dec 8 at 2017 8:08 AM

2017-12-08T08:08:17-05:00

I've got some thoughts, OK? I entirely understand the criticisms, and why those criticisms exist, truly

Response by SGT David T. made Dec 8 at 2017 8:38 AM

2017-12-08T08:38:53-05:00

VA hospitals widely vary in their level of effectiveness. My grandfather uses one in Vermont and loves it. He wouldn't be able to get care at the level he does had it not been there. I think the issue isn't to abolish it, but to fix it. I firmly believe that funding is the biggest driver of why things get messed up. Combine that with not holding individuals accountable and the problem gets compounded. I personally no longer have a need to use the VA so I don't. If I need care, I use my health insurance. When I did use it, I had no issues with it.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Dec 8 at 2017 9:07 AM

2017-12-08T09:07:04-05:00

Been a client of the VA off & on for 40 years... it has been MUCH WORSE in the past. Thr improvement over the last 15 or so years is incredible.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2017 9:13 AM

2017-12-08T09:13:06-05:00

Absolutelly not, its not just for you , what about all other Veterans, they depend on it.

Response by SSG Mike Wyche made Dec 8 at 2017 9:41 AM

2017-12-08T09:41:19-05:00

While there will always be criticisms of the VA, they serve a purpose. Not many private institutions are setup to handle a veteran population. The VA is filled with veterans and caregivers who truly understand the population that they serve. I have worked in several hospitals in the private sector and none of them are staffed to handle the emotional and physical damage that our injured vets present with.
Yes the VA needs help, but the answer is not the nuclear option.

Response by SPC David Willis made Dec 8 at 2017 9:42 AM

2017-12-08T09:42:01-05:00

Not abolished, no. I believe they need to do an extensive review and perhaps some offices need to be abolished or built again from the ground up. They need to abolish certain programs and procedures that lead to medication first and treatment second. But the bones of the system can be saved.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Dec 8 at 2017 10:00 AM

2017-12-08T10:00:06-05:00

If the VA were abolished, veterans would be at the mercy of the civilian healthcare market, with providers who have no training whatsoever in veteran needs. The VA needs improvement, but that comes from two things: full funding from CONgress, and leadership who can improve operations and clear deadweight...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2017 10:27 AM

2017-12-08T10:27:21-05:00

There is a reason that the VA heathcare system remains relevant and something that should be retained and improved upon.
Servicemembers often deal with injuries and illnesses unique to their service. Everything from agent orange exposure to PTSD to amputations from IEDs or mines are injuries rarely seen in a civilian heathcare system. The expertise and specialists employed at VA know how to recognize, diagnose, and treat these issues much better than a conventional hospital.

Yes, there are problems. Some are systemic and others unique to a given location. But I think that the overwhelming majority of VAMC employees - more than half of them Veterans themselves - care deeply about our Veterans and want to provide the best care possible.

Abolishing the system altogether is wrongheaded.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Dec 8 at 2017 11:16 AM

2017-12-08T11:16:43-05:00

I, like the majority of response here, do not support your hypothesis. No, we all do not agree the VA is useless. I have been in the VAMC system for over 20 years now and have no complaint at all. I have been treated with the utmost respect and care.
I would oppose any action to shut down the system.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Dec 8 at 2017 11:33 AM

2017-12-08T11:33:38-05:00

They are trying to improve. I know that for a fact. Someone is turning the screws. I suspect, they had to due to death threats. But, I can not prove it.
That is a guess based on my limited knowledge of Marine Corp GySgts who are Vietnam veterans. There may have already been physical contact. Hence, increased change.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Dec 8 at 2017 1:47 PM

2017-12-08T13:47:33-05:00

I think that the VA should handle medicine the same way they handle education. Give the veteran a voucher to be used at any medical facility.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Dec 8 at 2017 1:57 PM

2017-12-08T13:57:27-05:00

You have no idea what you are talking about. "we can all agree.." completely irrational and incorrect. Here in Wichita the VA does a very good job and on any day you will find hundreds of satisfied vets wandering around.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Dec 9 at 2017 10:05 PM

2017-12-09T22:05:05-05:00

It's a systematic problem that has plagued the VA for decades. Our elected officials allowed this to happen. Mostly by not making it a priority. Let's think about this had it not been for the unfortunate things that happened in Phoenix it probably wouldn't be a headline issue right now. Phoenix is just the face of a broken neglected system for decades. I receive health care at the VA and I am satisfied with my treatment. I have private health care insurance also and I often compare them to each other. By far I have received better specialty care at the VA Martinez California. There is a lot of work yet to be done to upright the VA system. However for decades of neglect it won't happen no time soon.

Peace!

Response by CPL M Pickens made Dec 10 at 2017 7:50 PM

2017-12-10T19:50:25-05:00

I've been going to VA in Wichita, Kansas for years and I've always received top notch treatment and services.

Response by SPC Bobby Morton made Dec 11 at 2017 9:28 AM

2017-12-11T09:28:15-05:00

I almost completely disagree with you! No, we shouldn't have to deal with the negatives you spoke of, however, I've dealt with Civilian & VA healthcare... Been an inpatient multiple times in both. I've never waited an hour for treatment in a VA facility... Can't say that about Civilian facilities... Also, I work at a VA, & have worked at multiple Civilian healthcare facilities, hospitals, & nursing homes (Patient Care Tech, CNA, Medical Technician). Of course some people shouldn't be working in healthcare... But I've found there's more of them on the Civilian side than in the VA.

Response by SPC Diana D. made Dec 11 at 2017 9:40 AM

2017-12-11T09:40:09-05:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member I don't think it should be abolished but they certainly need to step up their game. I know the clinic where I see my PCP is awesome!!! When they send me to the main clinic, not so much. They have started to weed out the people at the VA that should have been gone a long time ago!!!!!

Response by CPL Luis Whetstine made Dec 11 at 2017 12:55 PM

2017-12-11T12:55:28-05:00

As a veteran and an employee of a VA hospital I can tell you that yes, there are some issues with the VA system, however, no system is without flaws. Should we abolish the system entirely, NO, but the system could use a good overhaul. I get so many thank you’s and keep doing what your doing from Veterans and family members. And yes, I do get some complaints or upset Veterans and even the occasional irate vet, but in my experience, these vets are upset because they’re not getting what they want exactly the way they want it. The majority of them are the 100%’s who feel the are entitled to everything. So here’s the thing, while the VA has its problems, those problems are outweighed by all the good it does.