Should the VA be reorganized from the ground up?

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 12:19:02 -0500

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/12/04/4-quit-after-oklahoma-veteran-with-maggots-in-wound-dies.html

When is enough enough? As a health care provider (Paramedic), how in the blue hell do you allow this to happen to your patient?? The fact this person was in a VA facility makes it even worse! I hold the belief the VA administration should be fired en mass and just start from scratch.

4 quit after Oklahoma veteran with maggots in wound dies

Four staff members have resigned from a southeastern Oklahoma veterans facility rather than face the possibility of getting fired, after a resident was found to have maggots in a wound.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2016 12:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 12:48:38 -0500

recent article veteran commits suicide on va property in tn, on thanks giving after being released from treatment for PTSD and depression case is under investigation, why did this happen, since 2009 I've had 4 psych docs, the 4th after reviewing my record and really listened to me she put me on the right meds and doses and my life has significantly improved, but how long will she be there, 2 years move on, that's a real problem continuity of care, docs being rotated or fulfilling obligations, we vets are not experiments we deserve the same quality of care as the civi world minus the big bucks

Response by SSgt Bill Trevor made Dec 4 at 2016 1:24 PM

SSgt Bill Trevor — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 13:24:00 -0500

Yes. There is no excuse for this. The money is there. The need is there. People just don't seem to care. Job fair time. Hire qualified Veterans to staff as much of this as possible.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2016 2:09 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 14:09:42 -0500

Master Sergeant I would love for the VA to be burned to the ground and rebuilt. Go through and do mass reviews on staff, supervisors, and those in leadership positions. Then if and probably warranted mass firings then hirings, preferably Veterans because no one cares about us but us.

Preferably the VA should act as an administrator and direct the flow of traffic to Civilian counterparts with a voucher from the VA for costs. Of course legislation should be enacted to ensure Uncle Sugar and the DOD isn't getting fucked out of more money. We've all seen how much DOD pays for a computer.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2016 2:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 14:14:36 -0500

How would it be reorganized differently? I think it's fairly obvious that the bureaucracy needs to be heavily streamlined, however we also need to remember that all that bureaucracy was created as a way to manage costs. If all the processes are streamlined and everyone can walk in and get the care they need, the VA might require 30-60 billion more per year than it currently receives. Are we as a nation, prepared to pay?

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Dec 4 at 2016 3:14 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 15:14:05 -0500

Once again, I must respond. As posted before, I have had great care from the VA over the past 20 years. yes, it is sometimes slower than it should be, but given the vast size, that is understandable.
Articles like this just sensationalize the problems. However, I would wager the majority of Veterans that use the VAMC are satisfied. At least to a degree.
Does the VA need improvement? Absolutely. But, let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Let's work on the problems, correct them, and give our Veterans the best care possible.
Now, as to privatization, there are two major issues that need to be acknowledged. One, most civilian medical personal have no concept of the uniqueness of military service and any of the health problems which come from that service. Second, privatization would not reduce costs nor would it guarantee better care. Fraud would be rampant, requiring a huge monitoring agency.
So, I repeat; let's correct the problems and give our Veterans what they deserve; the best medical care possible.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Dec 5 at 2016 8:23 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 08:23:47 -0500

You are correct. We are well pass the time when enough is enough. I don't have the answers because I am not a medical professional, but even I can see there is a problem. A reorganization is definitely needed to overhaul this problematic institution.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Dec 5 at 2016 11:24 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 11:24:28 -0500

I've always assumed the VA would either be eliminated or consumed by whatever form of National Health Care the US eventually implements. It has never made sense to me that its OK to put Medicaid and Medicare patients in civilian hospitals, while veterans need their own government run facilities. It's not as though the VA Doctors and Nurses are trained differently than those in civilian facilities. I know for a fact that they are not.

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Dec 5 at 2016 1:51 PM

SSG Jeremy Sharp — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 13:51:04 -0500

If the entire system is fraught with systematic pitfalls that place the veteran in a position that is detrimental to obtaining relevant treatment in a timely manner, then the entire system needs to be evaluated and streamlined so that veterans are not suffering and dying while their name sits on a dormant waiting list for critical care. The hurry up and wait experienced in the military is often pervasive in VA health care. It should however be noted that treatment often varies from facility to facility.

Response by PO3 Michael James made Dec 5 at 2016 4:13 PM

PO3 Michael James — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 16:13:56 -0500

IT COULD SURELY USE AN ENEMA !!.. THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT OUR RETIRED MILITARY, OR OUR VETERANS..