VA Health Care, do we still need it?

SFC Joseph Bosley — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 02:11:11 -0400

There has been lots of media coverage in the past few months on the problems within the VA medical systems. Many Vets I have talked with hate going to the VA because of the long delays experienced. Well what if we just do away with the VA Hospitals all together and use the funding for them to agument existing medical plans? This would allow people to go to whatever treatment facility they need and get the care they desire in a timely mannor.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 22 at 2014 2:42 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 02:42:25 -0400

Amen! I'm here in Phoenix! You know my life sucks!!!!!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 22 at 2014 2:48 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 02:48:03 -0400

I really only use them for meds but even that is a joke. AZ has NO neurosurgeon and I've been needing surgery for years. I won't waste your time with the details but even at 100% VA disability and Tricare for Life, I end up using Medicare to get anything done.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 22 at 2014 5:15 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 05:15:03 -0400

I still think the answer is to privatize the entire VHA system. Private corporations have been successfully managing large numbers of hospitals and medical centers efficiently (and at a much lower cost) for decades. Just another example of the government not being able to administer a program efficiently.
I don't think shutting all of these clinics and hospitals down is the answer. My vote is for privatization.

Response by SSgt Jenna Welch made Aug 22 at 2014 3:44 PM

SSgt Jenna Welch — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 15:44:33 -0400

As a vet who has used VA Medical and a member of the healthcare community, I think they should get rid of VA hospitals and funnel the funding into a comprehensive insurance plan with coverage based on disability and/or economic need. I frankly, don't use the VA much. I don't go to the Dr enough to quantify using a resource others need more than I do at this point. In my experience with the system, I will say this...those that are part of the VA Healthcare system who truly want to provide good quality medical care to veterans are vastly outnumbered by those who just want a government paycheck. I saw and experienced this most often with the VA Behavioral Health Clinic. They diagnosed and managed my ADD for a short time. I had an amazing psychiatrist who helped me manage my ADD issues and understood what my triggers were that broke down my control mechanisms. Every one of our sessions would bust the "allotted" time set forth by the VA system. She did this with all her patients bc she wanted to ensure they were getting the time and care they needed. In the long run, the VA ran her off. She left and went back to private practice. I was shuffled to another psychiatrist who was an arrogant asshole who has never served a lick of time in the military and said all I needed was an SSRI. He spent less than 5 minutes with me in office, didn't even review my chart prior to our appointment, and changed my meds when the prescription I had took months to balance the dosing and was working. I left the system and took myself off my meds. I figured I was better off managing my symptoms myself than to get subpar care from a shitty govt psychiatrist. My point is, the system is broken at more than one level and that money could be better put to use as privitized health coverage.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 24 at 2014 12:25 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:25:27 -0400

Why is this thread not circulating??!!

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Aug 24 at 2014 12:41 AM

SFC Stephen P. — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:41:35 -0400

There are injuries commonly incidental to military service which are uncommon outside of service.

It seems reasonable to me to have a hospital dedicated to those types if injuries if that care is not available in the open market.

I don't think wee need a VA hospital to give out flu shots or treat high blood pressure.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Aug 24 at 2014 1:24 AM

SPC Charles Brown — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 01:24:40 -0400

Yes, or I would be dead right now. The VA Medical center in Portland, OR literally saved my life in February of this year. I would honestly let a VA doctor treat me before I would a civilian. While the system is flawed it is salvageable. Shutting it down only puts more veterans out there scrambling for medical care and the money to pay for treatment.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Aug 25 at 2014 3:07 AM

CMC Robert Young — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 03:07:31 -0400

I heard an interesting proposal on a news/political talk show the several weeks ago. It made so much sense. The suggestion was to do away with the VA health care system, and issue every vet an insurance card which gave them the same insurance coverage that members of congress have. The vet could use any combination of doctors/specialist they needed without jumping through the hoops that the VA requires. If it's good enough for congress, why wouldn't it be good enough for us?

Additionally, there is more than a small indication that private practice physicians are better at their professions than VA doctors.

Better care. Less hassle. Something to think about.