American Legion criticizes VA treatment of soldiers wounded in Iraq, Afghanistan

The Buffalo News ^ | 07/19/07 | By Bill Michelmore

[theBuckwheat]

If the Legion really wanted to help the vets, and throw a monkey wrench in the Democrat camp, they should loudly agitate for VOUCHERS to allow wounded vets to get the best care they could get, where they could get it.

Some conditions of vets requires specialized facilities and personnel, which only the VA can give. Most conditions could be handled by normal hospitals.

I live near a VA Hospital, and know some of the staff. They are very dedicated people, but the VA sucks. It has a horrid, self-important leadership that is more interested in covering up errors and mistakes than life itself.

Having been in the facility a number of times, I hate to think what it costs to perform even routine procedures. The staff are all GS-somethings, and operate under a giant set of work rules. Some DRGs must cost double or more than elsewhere.

[Inquisitive1]

...why doesn’t the govt either reimburse the veteran for private medical services, or why contract the services out?

For the same reason they won't 'reform' Social Security: POWER.

[soldier143]

So in other words, if the Legion points out the truth they are automatically the left? I am sorry but I disagree.

I am finding that there is a vast gulf of difference between those who say they support the troops and those who really do. If you support the war (as I do) you had better be supporting those of us who go fight it as well.

Don’t think for a minute that when this war is over you can just shove we veterans out of the way and tell us to take a hike. Part of the CONTRACT is that any injuries we suffer while in service to our nation are to be fixed, covered or repaired by those of you who didn’t go and serve (via the taxpayer supported VA “health care” system). It’s very telling that we go and give 100% only to return and find that some civilians who stayed behind could care less about ensuring that they (via the government and VA) are fulfilling their end of the bargain.

[jootz]

Funny how immediately after the democrats take power our VA hospitals start breaking down and are unable to support our troops...

[Danbert]

The US Army is giving soldiers a lower rated disability than before the war.

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Something they are also doing is reclassifying PTSD claims as
“personality disorders” which is ridiculous and avoids the claim entirely since a personality disorder existed prior to entry into the service. The VFW is looking into this.