Veterans can expect more bad health care from Obama’s VA

http://www.aim.org/guest-column/veterans-can-expect-more-bad-health-care-from-obamas-va/print/ ^ | December 29, 2015 | Betsy McCaughey

[detective]

Don't be fooled by last week's headlines about more money and greater accountability at the Veterans Affairs Department. It's the usual malarkey coming out of Washington. The prognosis for veterans who need health care remains poor, with vets likely to get the run-around and face delays again in 2016.

On Friday, Congress passed an omnibus spending bill for the coming year that allocates a whopping $163 billion to the Veterans Administration - even more than the department requested. But as long as the VA is riddled with corruption and saddled with job-protection rules that favor employees instead of vets, that's throwing good money after bad.

[detective]

The Obama administration's priority is providing welfare and health benefits to "refugees" and illegals.

They are making things difficult for our veterans.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

As a Veteran, I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to be signing up next year for my VA Benefits so I don’t have to go on 0bamacare.

*Rolleyes*

Thank goodness I’ve been healthy as a horse up until now.

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[hal ogen]

I believe they are still murdering Veterans through neglect. However, the lawns are trimmed and the office furniture for the executives is nice.

[DoodleDawg]

I think Santorum had the suggestion to close down most VA hospitals, keep the best open as specialty centers dealing with amputations, rehabilitation, PTSD, and other conditions more common to the military, and provide Medicare-type coverage to the other eligible veterans so they can be treated by private-sector doctors and hospitals. That sounds like a solution to me.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Yep. Our CongressLesbian Tammy Baldwin (D, WI) pretty much escaped unscathed in our recent Veteran Doping Scandal at one of our VA’s, up north.

The Wm. Middleton Hospital here in Madistan is nice, and there are some decent satellite clinics I’ll be able to use.

Still, not happy with the situation...

[DocJ69]

I go to the VA in Columbia and care is sorta adequate. However they are building a brand New parking facility. They have also remodeled the hospital and care has not Changed.Missouri.

[Old Sarge]

THIS IS MY SHOCKED FACE:

[Bruce Kurtz]

Was wondering why I was seeing signs and info at my local VA clinic about Hep C. I did not pay any attention to it, because I thought it was from shooting drugs. Turns out that veterans from the 60s and 70s were getting shots from contaminated air guns.

[libertylover]

Re #5, I’ve advocated that for years. My VA cardiologist is at the V.A. one day every 2 weeks.

[oh8eleven]

Why are you waiting until next year to sign up for VA benefits? What's happening to your current benefits?
You also understand that unless you have a service connected disability, you'll pay co-pays for treatments based on your current financial status.

[JPG]

I have read and am aware of all the stories about the shortcomings of care at the VA.

This veteran has no complaints. My care at the VA has always been timely. competent and thorough.

[jimbug]

Our son is getting excellent treatment at the VA in Philly. It’s important to remember that the ‘media’ are nothing but a tool for someone else who has an agenda, and probably sell their ‘reportage’ to the highest bidder. And yes, I am a retired journalist(advertising).

[Wolfie]

Nope, government healthcare is bad, you betcha.

[RaceBannon]

I still have not been seen, in a year and a half, for a cyst in my liver and a hernia. Been asking for a while.

I do have appts now, but that is because I complained to VA and my congressman.

my spinal issues are now assigned to a civilian doctor, and that is taking time.

3 MRI’s, 2 Ultrasounds, 3 CT scans, many blood tests, but NEVER a doctor until I complained.

criminal negligence. THEY found the things I mentioned.

[LTC.Ret]

The new head of the VA posted his cell number and invited Veterans who had issues with the VA Hospital to call him personally -— so I took him at his word and called him. He promised to personally get back with Veterans who called to address their situations. That was almost a year ago, and I’m STILL waiting for my return call . . .

[blueunicorn6]

For six years I asked to see a specialist.

They finally had me see an RN who asked me to spell my illness so she could look it up on the computer.

That was my specialist.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Yes, I do. I can’t sign up yet because I currently have coverage with my employer. I’m retiring in a few weeks, and I will have a gap between then and when I get married.

I won’t have an ‘income’ for a number of years while we get the farm set up and productive (Beau is still working for another year) so according to my VA Rep I can use those earned benefits as a stop-gap measure.

[oh8eleven]

I can't sign up yet because I currently have coverage with my employer.
I was already on Medicare (Medicare Advantage actually) when I signed up. Having insurance should not prevent you from applying.
In fact, I worked with a number of vets who had healthcare insurance, but used the VA for their prescription drugs. Much cheaper.
You mentioned your "VA rep." In my area, our county government has a small number of county employees whose responsibility it is to act as veterans' advocates, to represent and guide them in obtaining benefits and services.
I suggest you go to your local government's website to see if they offer the same/similar service.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Yep. Already have! :)