Posted on May 26, 2016
How Congress And The VA Left Many Veterans Without A 'Choice'
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Do you believe that the Veterans' Health Administration, and all that they do, should be privatized? The fix needs a fix. Maybe the real choice should be a privatized VA and create a Veteran's Insurance that can be used at any Doctor's Office that is participating. There are troubles with the Veterans Choice program, a $10 billion plan created by Congress two years ago to squash long wait times veterans were encountering when going to see a doctor. As reported in March, this fix needs a fix. Congress and Department of Veterans Affairs officials are in the middle of overhauling the program.
How Congress And The VA Left Many Veterans Without A 'Choice'
Posted from npr.org
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Health
Insurance
Congress
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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In 13 years I have had only two bad experiences with the VA. Both of them recent.
I hear a lot of people complain about lack of care. I actually just got into a conversation about this the other day at the local watering hole. An older guy was complaining that he couldn't be seen. As I (nicely) ask about the specifics, it was the same story I've heard before. The guy did 4 years back in the 70's and then got out. He got a clean bill of health when he left and he went on to work in a variety of farm related jobs. Broke his leg a couple of times on the farm. Now he has medical issues (it's an old age thing) and he's pissed off because the VA wont treat him for his failing health and bum leg. After I explained the CAT system to him, he lightened up a bit about bad mouthing them. I'm a CAT 1, that means I go towards the front of the line. What pisses me off is a Medal of Honor Awardee automatically gets classified as a CAT 3. In my eyes his/her ass should be FIRST in line.
All kinds of people bitch that we should take care of all Vets. I respectfully disagree that anyone that does a few years should get free health care for life, free housing, Free money, free food, etc...
I think the hard truth needs to be emphasized more often. Everyone tells everyone to keep copies of everything yet, it still doesn't happen. When a person goes through ACAP it should be HAMMERED into their heads how the VA actually works. Get that documentation in the System. You can't come back after 5, 10, 20, 40 years later and demand they fix your broken leg from a car wreck that happened last week.
I hear a lot of people complain about lack of care. I actually just got into a conversation about this the other day at the local watering hole. An older guy was complaining that he couldn't be seen. As I (nicely) ask about the specifics, it was the same story I've heard before. The guy did 4 years back in the 70's and then got out. He got a clean bill of health when he left and he went on to work in a variety of farm related jobs. Broke his leg a couple of times on the farm. Now he has medical issues (it's an old age thing) and he's pissed off because the VA wont treat him for his failing health and bum leg. After I explained the CAT system to him, he lightened up a bit about bad mouthing them. I'm a CAT 1, that means I go towards the front of the line. What pisses me off is a Medal of Honor Awardee automatically gets classified as a CAT 3. In my eyes his/her ass should be FIRST in line.
All kinds of people bitch that we should take care of all Vets. I respectfully disagree that anyone that does a few years should get free health care for life, free housing, Free money, free food, etc...
I think the hard truth needs to be emphasized more often. Everyone tells everyone to keep copies of everything yet, it still doesn't happen. When a person goes through ACAP it should be HAMMERED into their heads how the VA actually works. Get that documentation in the System. You can't come back after 5, 10, 20, 40 years later and demand they fix your broken leg from a car wreck that happened last week.
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MSG Pat Colby
Good Point Sean! I don't remember why I did it but I'm guessing someone told me to burn a copy of my Med Records. Glad I did. I do remember the dude that helped me during final out-processing at Ft. Knox. This Saint went through every single page of my records, took copious notes and tied 24 years of injuries and ailments together. HE is the sole reason I received my 50% VA rating.
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MSG Pat Colby
SGT Sean Wike - I perforated an eardrum and went to the ER at Womak (In Bragg). Never did get a copy of that ER report. A week later, some Jerk-off threw a grenade simulator at me and it blew up 3 feet from my face. Got a copy of that Doc visit (and my ears have been ringing ever since). Had a Parachute jump a few weeks later and even the shitty low altitudes had me crying in pain. Got witness statements of me being a crying bitch on the floor of a C-130. Yes, I still jumped but DAMN!
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Regardless of what is done, the results will be expensive and inept. The VA is too big and needs to be broken up into manageable divisions.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Yeah, and those "divisions" are working so well we need to give them all a big bonus.
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MCPO Roger Collins
I don't use the VA, but do use TFL and Medicare. That means the same healthcare as the general public. If there is corporate greed, it has been caused by Obamacare destroying private practices. I choose my providers by checking them out carefully, that can not be done with the VA. BTW I am a Cat. 3.
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