Posted on Apr 19, 2016
What's your view on doing away with the VA health system?
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Would it be better to have all veterans choose their own provider?
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 94
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I think the VA needs to improve, yes. Does not need to be gotten rid of completely . That seems like throwing the baby out with the bath water.
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I'm not sure doing away with the VA is a viable solution. Allowing Vets to go to a civilian Doctor of their choice would be acceptable; or allowing them to enroll in Tri-Care would be a better option.
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The VA system has served millions of veterans for decades. The fact that many VA employees can't be fired is the probably cause of the lack of care we're seeing today. I've had a claim in for type two diabetes, and kidney failure for over 4 years. It wasn't until I went to my Congressmen's office that I got any response from the VA. If the problem is a lack of staff, than it has to be addressed. If its simply a clean out of bad apples, that is what has to be done. I know I'm treated very well in any VA office I go into. I don't think its the people, as much as the administrators. I would suggest an investigation of the supervisors would be the best way to start.
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There are some things the VA is more prepared to deal with than your average private provider. Now, if the VA could focus on those specific things alone (TBI, PTSD, Spinal Cord Damage) then they might be able to handle the load. Then, if the veteran could choose his or her own outside physicians, and just have THEM bill the VA, it might work. One issue I do see is medication. Right now, the VA gets to negotiate prices for medications (something Medicare cannot do), and so the agency spends far less on meds for us.
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I'm not in favor of doing away with the VA. I'd like the problems fixed and fire the screw ups.
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How many civilian providers have experience and training in dealing with PTSD from combat, EID wounds, and many of the other things that are unique to military service? There are a lot of times when it might be more convenient to go to a civilian doctor, but until we finally get a single-payer health care system, it'll always be a PITA for everyone concerned.
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Sgt Jerry Genesio
If the VA went away and those who used it turned to civilian care, it seems logical that the VA providers in every discipline would also become part of the civilian care system. In fact, many of them already are active in both systems.
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The entire healthcare system in the U.S. has a problem. As a Medic (Veteran), I learned a great deal over my career. There are not enough providers who can legally, hands-on treat every single person. There are over 319 million people in the U.S.; with at least 22 million Veterans in that number. The VA Healthcare system has long been short staffed; doctors, nurses, medical assistants, medical techs, surgeons, etc.
No one can force any healthcare professional to work for the VA. That is why the wait times are so long, even when you and I show up early (as much as half an hour) for your appointment. F/U appointments are at least 4 months or more. Getting more providers and such to work, long-term for the VA will help. Shuffling us out to 'contracted' providers outside the system isn't helping. Our Electronic Health Record, may not be in their system.
Another huge problem is the denial of Veterans who's MOS, like myself is in the Medical field. I could work for the VA, but there are senseless 'red tape' BS in the way. That is apparently more important than getting Veterans like myself the healthcare, mental and physical, that they need.
No one can force any healthcare professional to work for the VA. That is why the wait times are so long, even when you and I show up early (as much as half an hour) for your appointment. F/U appointments are at least 4 months or more. Getting more providers and such to work, long-term for the VA will help. Shuffling us out to 'contracted' providers outside the system isn't helping. Our Electronic Health Record, may not be in their system.
Another huge problem is the denial of Veterans who's MOS, like myself is in the Medical field. I could work for the VA, but there are senseless 'red tape' BS in the way. That is apparently more important than getting Veterans like myself the healthcare, mental and physical, that they need.
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SGT Eliyahu Rooff
Agreed. The VA needs some fixes, but it's gotten better. When I got out, it took just over thirteen years to get my disability app processed. Took four years to get hearing aids, and then they sent me someone else's. My experience with the current VA is that it's generally as good as or better than the private sector.
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No. It would be like asking doctor's who specialize in childcare illnesses to advance to military specific care overnight. Many veteran's are damaged more than others and may have a harder time manipulating the complex insurance paperwork (getting increasingly more complex) that civilian hospitals and insurance companies require. I will give one "attaboy" to the VA concerning their ability to generally make the payment for medical services a little easier...because, although not always...they do make it a bit easier than some. I do agree with the comment Capt Porter makes below though. The availability to get to the VA over long distances needs a close pragmatic look and if the veteran chooses to go to a local doctor or medical facility under those circumstances, the VA should accommodate it...including taking care of the paperwork! Increasingly, the VA is moving more and more in that directions simply because there isn't funding to build more VA facilities and attract physicians who are usually lower paid to begin with. There are always pro and con issues to consider.
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Sgt. I believe that as bad as the VA might be I don't know of any thing better the VA helps veterans share their stores and lives at our hospitals and outpatient clinic their not perfect but what could be better for military personal and vets
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And replaced with what? Private or public healthcare at their facilities? Nowhere near all veterans would benefit by such a drastic change. Perhaps even more than those who would.
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PO3 Donald Murphy
When you're thirsty, half a glass of water is better than no water at all. We drew down too quickly. I was medically retired (along with two guys that had just broken arms!) instead of being retained (as my condition was treatable/maintainable with medicine). But the Cold War was over and everyone wanted that peace dividend to spend. What they did was then flood CHAMPUS (which never recovered) and the VA. The VA was never able to influx and still - with the invention of electricity - is barely able. The people it attracts are mainly career GS level folk that "come to the VA to retire." Much like Pearl Harbor 1941 was a retirement post for flag officers.
Doctors likewise, use the VA's desperation as a way to do that three year internship in under a year. The doctors are overworked and as I said in my question to congress-girl "they've been working my case for over five years." No excuse. They're already ineffecient through no fault of their own. Gov dumped a load of people on them with little/no preparation. Civilian healthcare is a well oiled machine. Hey - here's a question - where do foreign service people go? Thats right - they don't have a VA style system. They use normal healthcare and gov foots the bill.
Doctors likewise, use the VA's desperation as a way to do that three year internship in under a year. The doctors are overworked and as I said in my question to congress-girl "they've been working my case for over five years." No excuse. They're already ineffecient through no fault of their own. Gov dumped a load of people on them with little/no preparation. Civilian healthcare is a well oiled machine. Hey - here's a question - where do foreign service people go? Thats right - they don't have a VA style system. They use normal healthcare and gov foots the bill.
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