VA approved thousands of ineligible doctors — now lawmakers want changes

As a recipient of both Tricare and VA, I can say that I’ve had much better experiences with the VA. They aren’t perfect, but they do offer more choices (which I get to take part in) and more types of treatment. Like Tricare, my biggest beef is the administration side of getting appointments sorted out and ensuring the left hand is talking to the right.

I will not go tot he VA anywhere around me. I have TRICARE and a base medical facility I can use. The VA in Mississippi is nasty and mean and it has been that way since I was a kid. It has and never will change. I have used the Tuscaloosa a couple of times but after my last visit over there I won't be back. It is a clinic and not a Hosp...they use Birmingham as their hospital and it is the same or worse than Jackson MS. Memphis TN is much better. I had an appt with a mental health provider about some Disability issues. I went and the whole time the provider never once looked at me. Just kept working on their computer and asked me a couple of questions then said we were done and got up and walked out...I was pissed. The pulmonary clinic said that for them to get me my supplies for CPAP I had to use them as my primary care...they are 1.5 hours away. There is a VA clinic in my hometown but for me to use them I would have to enroll in the Jackson system even though Tuscaloosa is only a short drive across the state line but he state line is the dividing line between regions...whatever. I just stay with my primary care and Tricare and go on. If I had a facility like San Antonio then maybe but not anywhere around here.

You're going to make me say it, aren't you?