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In a special town hall event, VA Secretary Denis McDonough addressed questions from Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Health
Benefits
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Caregiver
Responses: 201
Why does my dog receive better medical care than I do at the VA? I was discharged with a 100% rating and I have been treated like a burden, a beggar, a junkie, or a liar when I talk about my condition with VA "doctors." My heathcare is being gatekept from me by jaded, inconsiderate, unprofessional hacks, why? They treat me like dirt, and all I want is the healthcare I sacrificed nearly everything for and was promised. The Birmingham Alabama VA needs to be investigated, because it took me contacting Gary Palmer (congress) to even get their attention and enact the Mission Act.... which the patient advocate had no idea what it was. I'm falling apart and the VA has actively made it worse through egregious negligence. Why?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
While VA continues to provide access to community care, VA care is proven to be the best and most affordable care for our nation’s Veterans. So, we are making sure Veterans have the option to choose VA for their care. We are also expanding access to VA care whenever possible by opening new facilities or expanding our services. Right now, Veterans trust VA outpatient care at 91.8% – an all-time record high – and we continue working to build trust with all those we serve.
First is shouldn't be this hard to ask a question, log in create a account, upload profile and confirm email very discouraging
Queation: That are the plan to fix Community Care. I have to wait weeks a d even months for approval. A simple continuation of physical therapy took a month, resulting in a month with no physical therapy. This needs to be streamed lined.
Queation: That are the plan to fix Community Care. I have to wait weeks a d even months for approval. A simple continuation of physical therapy took a month, resulting in a month with no physical therapy. This needs to be streamed lined.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
We are sorry to hear about your experience. VA works to continually improve the care provided by partner community care providers. We are committed to ensuring Veterans can get the care they need, when they need it.
Regardless of where Veterans choose to receive care, VA is working to proactively coordinate Veterans’ needs throughout their healthcare journey. VA recently launched software that allows VA schedulers to view and schedule directly into community provider appointment slots. This time-saving approach means less phone calls between the VA scheduler, Veteran, and community provider when scheduling appointments—a win all around, especially for Veterans in rural areas who depend on community care. While not yet available everywhere, this program is approved for future nationwide use.
If you are having problems getting the top-notch care that you deserve as a Veteran, please contact your local VA or call MyVA411 at [login to see] . You can also ask to speak to a patient advocate or use Ask VA (https://ask.va.gov) to send a secure message. We will work with you to address your individual circumstances and concerns.
Regardless of where Veterans choose to receive care, VA is working to proactively coordinate Veterans’ needs throughout their healthcare journey. VA recently launched software that allows VA schedulers to view and schedule directly into community provider appointment slots. This time-saving approach means less phone calls between the VA scheduler, Veteran, and community provider when scheduling appointments—a win all around, especially for Veterans in rural areas who depend on community care. While not yet available everywhere, this program is approved for future nationwide use.
If you are having problems getting the top-notch care that you deserve as a Veteran, please contact your local VA or call MyVA411 at [login to see] . You can also ask to speak to a patient advocate or use Ask VA (https://ask.va.gov) to send a secure message. We will work with you to address your individual circumstances and concerns.
How come the VA did not provide financial assistance to all Veteran's/Reserves/Active Duty and families financial assistance during COVID?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Every Veteran who is eligible for community care under the MISSION Act will continue to be offered community care. When Veterans can’t get the care they need at VA and meet eligibility standards for community care (Eligibility For Community Care Outside VA | Veterans Affairs), we work so that they can get care from a provider in VA’s Community Care Network . VA has actually delivered all-time record numbers of community care appointments to Veterans for the past six years.
My question, or Request, We Veterans should be allowed to visit any Dr or specialists that would be available to us through the VA Hospital system, It not only will lessen the burden and stress on the Va system Hospitals for scheduling and would allow Veterans Easier Access to a Dr visit that is most likely a lot closer to the patients home, Either way it still costs the VA system money weather we Visit a VA Hospital which in most cases is very inconvenient as distance and scheduling, So What's the Problem We Deserve it , We all Put Our Lives on the Line for America not knowing if we would be sent to war or Not.
JZ
JZ
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
We strive to ensure Veterans and their beneficiaries receive the high-quality, high-value care they have earned—whether in the direct VA care system or in the community. The health and wellbeing of Veterans are our driving imperatives at VA and we are delivering more care and more benefits to more Veterans than ever before.
Every Veteran who is eligible for community care under the MISSION Act will continue to be offered community care. When Veterans can’t get the care they need at VA and meet eligibility standards for community care (Eligibility For Community Care Outside VA | Veterans Affairs), we work so that they can get care from a provider in VA’s Community Care Network. VA has actually delivered all-time record numbers of community care appointments to Veterans for the past six years.
While VA continues to provide access to community care, VA care is proven to be the best and most affordable care for our nation’s Veterans. So, we are making sure Veterans have the option to choose VA for their care. We are also expanding access to VA care whenever possible by opening new facilities or expanding our services. Right now, Veterans trust VA outpatient care at 91.8% – an all-time record high – and we continue working to build trust with all those we serve.
If you are having problems getting the top-notch care that you deserve as a Veteran, please contact your local VA or call MyVA411 at [login to see] . You can also ask to speak to a patient advocate or use Ask VA (https://ask.va.gov) to send a secure message. We will work with you to address your individual circumstances and concerns.
Every Veteran who is eligible for community care under the MISSION Act will continue to be offered community care. When Veterans can’t get the care they need at VA and meet eligibility standards for community care (Eligibility For Community Care Outside VA | Veterans Affairs), we work so that they can get care from a provider in VA’s Community Care Network. VA has actually delivered all-time record numbers of community care appointments to Veterans for the past six years.
While VA continues to provide access to community care, VA care is proven to be the best and most affordable care for our nation’s Veterans. So, we are making sure Veterans have the option to choose VA for their care. We are also expanding access to VA care whenever possible by opening new facilities or expanding our services. Right now, Veterans trust VA outpatient care at 91.8% – an all-time record high – and we continue working to build trust with all those we serve.
If you are having problems getting the top-notch care that you deserve as a Veteran, please contact your local VA or call MyVA411 at [login to see] . You can also ask to speak to a patient advocate or use Ask VA (https://ask.va.gov) to send a secure message. We will work with you to address your individual circumstances and concerns.
15 April 1990, I got gay bashed by 5 sailors. Following the injury, I got Honorably discharged as a "4.0" E5 (PN2) with RE4 once I blew the whistle to SECDEF on my superior officer's harrassment (threats to "out" me). Reason for discharge (stated he is homosexual) was ruled unconstitutional in 1995, two years after I left the country. Discovery of my published hazing account (my 1993 biography is at the US Naval Academy, Naval War College, Harvard, Yale and other libraries worldwide) in 2007 blew up my European teaching career (624,000 Euros in lost income), resulting in an award of Permanent and Total Individual Unemployability adjudicated by the German government in 2014. I am seeking justice for both ruined careers, 30+ years of pain & suffering caused by that in-service gay bashing. My MST claim has been awaiting adjudication for 2 years now. I heard of others waiting 10+ years! My VSO (DAV) acts more like a navigator than advocate.
100 % disabled. Why has the travel pay not been increased to account for the massive amount of the cost of gas, especially since gas prices are unlikely to ever decrease?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA does not have statutory authority to raise the travel mileage rate above 41.5 cents per mile without congressional action. Under 38 U.S.C. Section 111, the VA Secretary has the authority to pay one of two rates. One is the mileage reimbursement rate of 41.5 cents set by statute, and the other is the statute for the rate for the use of privately owned vehicles by Government employees on official business, when a government vehicle is available, which is currently 21 cents per mile. VA pays the higher rate of these two options.
Why do you (Denis McDonough) continue to refuse to provide adequate care for transgender veterans?
The policy letter has been said to be sitting on your desk for multiple years now, yet you straight up refuse to sign it and provide potentially life saving care to transgender veterans.
The policy letter has been said to be sitting on your desk for multiple years now, yet you straight up refuse to sign it and provide potentially life saving care to transgender veterans.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Treatments must comply with FDA regulations and VA policies to ensure safety and efficacy for Veterans.
I am a 100% VA disabled veteran. I struggle with severe ADHD. The only medication that really works for me is a combination of Adderall (short-acting) and Vyvanse (long-acting). However, the Cleveland VA has denied me the ability to use the only drug that works for me. The argument has been that there's no clinical proof that Vyvanse works better than Adderall. Well, now Vyvanse is in the national formulary. And so the generic version is available. However, the Cleveland VA continues to deny my mental health provider the ability to prescribe me Vyvanse. They currently have to write me a handwritten prescription that I have to take out into the community and pay out of pocket. Something that is offered that other VAs I have no access to. And nobody will tell me why.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Northeast Ohio follows national VA pharmacy criteria for use for Vyvanse. In order to be prescribed this medication, Veterans need to complete a formal appeal process through the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Veterans can work with their local facility to complete this process.
Mr McDonough,
I have stage 2 CLL from the burn pits in Iraq, AfGhanistan, Jordan, and many other AORs in my 20+ years served. Why does our Phoenix VA not send CLL stage 2 patients to MAYO cancer clinics for aid? I’m left to fend for myself with Leukemia… are we joking about this???
my treatment is: blood draw every few months, and oncologist follow-up a few weeks later, last two years, no change in process. i inquired, was told, sorry, VA had a falling out with Local Arizona MAYO clinic’s…this is all we can offer you until you hit stage three with higher white blood cell counts!
rediculous.
I have stage 2 CLL from the burn pits in Iraq, AfGhanistan, Jordan, and many other AORs in my 20+ years served. Why does our Phoenix VA not send CLL stage 2 patients to MAYO cancer clinics for aid? I’m left to fend for myself with Leukemia… are we joking about this???
my treatment is: blood draw every few months, and oncologist follow-up a few weeks later, last two years, no change in process. i inquired, was told, sorry, VA had a falling out with Local Arizona MAYO clinic’s…this is all we can offer you until you hit stage three with higher white blood cell counts!
rediculous.
Sgt Robert Beverly
Apparently the VA has had a falling out with the Mayo Clinic. I was in Minneapolis VA for AO caused throat cancer, total laryngectomy, for 8 mos., returned home to Thailand in very late July. Some of the doctors and nurses were also affiliated with the Mayo. I don't know the story behind the falling out but I heard there was one from more than one. BTW my care was excellent. I highly recommend if you have need of cancer operation etc. Minneapolis VA.
TSgt J E
I heard that too, and being the VA, they should “Mend the Fall”, as treatment is Needed by many. That sounds like the VA needed to fire someone and apologize. More care and better care at MAYO clinic’s would be a HUGE +++ to Burn Pit victims like me and so many other Cancer related veterans.
Hence the popping Question to the VA’s head guy.
Hence the popping Question to the VA’s head guy.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Phoenix VA Healthcare System (PVAHCS) offers a comprehensive range of care for CLL patients, covering most management needs, but does not perform stem cell transplants or CAR-T therapy. When a referral for community care is necessary, Phoenix VAHCS primarily sends patients to Banner MD Anderson, as Mayo Clinic is not a standard referral destination. VA has an agreement with Mayo to accept referrals for highly specialized, highly complex, difficult to diagnose (or treat) conditions and requires specific approval. Veterans must work with their local facility to explore options for referral to Mayo to ensure they meet the conditions under the agreement with Mayo.
Please explain how are all the vets they died from delays in treatment and the 30 day community care law the the move team in west la can tell me I have to wait until April to have a video appointment to get the medication I need perceived. Also they are the only ones allowed in Va to prescribe.
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