Posted on 04/02/2016 10:13:30 AM PDT by SandRat
Seven of 15 outside health advisors appointed to recommend ways to improve veterans’ health services over the next two decades have proposed shutting down all VA medical centers and outpatient services, and having its nine million enrollees get their medical care in the private sector.
The 34-page “straw man” document released by the congressionally-created Commission on Care, calls for an immediate halt to construction of new VA hospitals and clinics, and launch of a “BRAC-like process” to begin closing existing facilities. Shuttering the largest medical system in the country would leave the VA to be “primarily a payor” for the care veterans would receive from civilian community doctors and health facilities.
To entice these physicians and facilities to accept more veterans as patients, the straw man document proposes that VA reimbursement rates be set five or 10 percent higher than Medicare pays.
Right, I understand that.
I meant the system needs to be fixed now (like they supposedly were doing when the $h!t hit the fan recently) as many of our veterans cannot wait two weeks, much less two years.
And speaking to your point, twenty years to make that kind of transition, knowing government, may be too optimistic.
And the craziest part of all is a bunch of folks on FR who have never served or never been to a VA facility pretending they know what’s wrong and how to fix it.
See my post #20.
See my post #20.
So, do VA docs have to buy malpractice insurance? Or are they protected. Been to some outside docs under the choice program and another one that is kinda sub-contracted to the VA. Strange set up indeed.
Healthcare has been the biggest contributor to the little increase we have had in GDP for the last few years.
Almost without exception government f**** up every single thing it touches. Veteran care is no exception.
Let the private sector handle it. At least most folks in the general public respect and honor our vets, unlike most of the VA.
L
The one in Milwaukee seems really good. My husband goes there. I do think they are in an older building and probably have to handle more than they should. My husband is able to see non-VA providers and the VA pays for it. We live about 30 miles from the hospital so that may be why it works this way for us. But, he does go there for most of his care.
Last year, he had a severe issue and was in the local hospital for a few weeks. They OK’d that rather than transfer him. Whatever Medicare did not cover, they did.
We are truly blessed that he is covered by the VA. I appreciate Tricare too!!
Same here at the VA facility in Gainesville, FL. It’s got to be in the top tier of the best run facilities in the country. Superb care, service and ease of access. No complaints here from my wife or I, both of us veterans.
You are exactly right. Exactly.
The Gubment obviously told the group and "coached" on what to "conclude" long before they started. Bunch of weak-kneed pukes.
“And the craziest part of all is a bunch of folks on FR who have never served or never been to a VA facility pretending they know what’s wrong and how to fix it.”
Amen to that.
Everyone should be reminded how the VA Hospital in Marion, Illinois was accused of causing the deaths of a number of veterans, and it was discovered one of their VA physicians was an imposter without a valid medical license to practice medicine. The VA had to stop providing medical services at that facility until they could recertify or review the medical staff at that hospital.
The Federal Employee Unions will NEVER allow 100% civilian hospital care for veterans. They just won’t.
Even the new “Choice Program” has more qualifiers and loopholes than Swiss Cheese. Ask me how I know....
If the substandard VAH’s are shut down, as you suggest, then what do vets in rural areas do? I’m currently 3 hours from the nearest VAH. Supposing it shuts down. Do I then drive 5 hours to the next?
Most of the Dr’s. I see at the V.A. are from Loyola Medical Center.
I went into the Army in 1969, my ex wife is a nurse at the local VA. Both my sister and my brother in-law retired from the same VA. My wife was the ER director and is now the OR director of the only hospital within 30 miles of the said VA. With all that said I might have a little knowledge of not just the military but the VA and it’s workings. This VA is swamped with veterans coming in for anything from a sore throat to aches and pains. A large number are being treated for alcoholism and drug addiction. Any actual medical procedure needs are sent to the local hospital, where the VA then may or may not pay due to budget conditions.
The VA is abused by Veterans and even more so by the personnel who work there. 95% of all Veteran needs can be handled by local hospitals, the others by specialty facilities. As a Veteran of 47 years I say shut them all down and allow the Vets to go to local civilian facilities instead of requiring them to travel 2 hours just to get treatment at a VA two to three cities over. The Vets will get much better and quicker treatment without unnecessary hardships. Reduce federal employee’s and boost local economies.
“If the substandard VAH’s are shut down, as you suggest, then what do vets in rural areas do? I’m currently 3 hours from the nearest VAH. Supposing it shuts down. Do I then drive 5 hours to the next?”
You should have to drive no further than your closest local hospital, show them your ID and get full treatment.
No one who is not an atheist/satanist queer should go into the military no matter what they do with the pitiful VA.
Our military took a walk to the evil side and is abusing soldiers sexually and otherwise and is hating on God.
Let the God hating global liberals fill the ranks of the military. Let normal people get ready to protect the US and our constitution.
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