>>>There have been civilian hospitals, doctors and dentists who’ve had similar problems.<<<
Agreed - however, civilians could be held responsible in court.
Peacetime military medical services can leave a lot to be desired sometimes. I remember one base where I was stationed, there was a flap over 4 Doctors who were not normally required or called on for spinal taps - to maintain their rating/proficiency, they needed 6 each - you guessed it - next 24 people they saw suddenly needed spinal taps.
BUT, getting back on topic - Christine’s suggestion is for routine exams and treatments. That certainly makes a lot of sense. I know several who have to travel a couple of hours for routine follow-ups such as checking/removing stitches that entail a whole day - 2-2 1/2 hours each way and loooong waits when there. I know of one case where a relative went for a routine exam and upon getting there and spending two hours waiting, was finally told that his Doctor was on leave, it was rescheduled and when he went back, again Doctor wasn’t there - he had retired. Took two months for him to be reassigned to another Doctor. The voucher system would certainly have made this type of situation much more efficient and more readily available locally where we have 4 hospitals within 35 miles, and many hundred doctors, but the VA is all the way up in Wilmington, and appointments are months ahead.
Disclaimer - I have based this on my knowledge of others problems with it - while I am qualified for their services, based on my service in the very early ‘60’s, I have never had any need to turn to them for assistance as I have had other insurance coverages for medical, pharmaceutical and dental.
I can see considerable savings in the suggested system as well as much more timely care of high quality.
Delaware Ping!
Greta’s interview today in Wilmington with Christine O’Donnell - People beginning to see the depth and breadth of knowledge were definitely evident. It shows the insight she has and has exhibited in some of the times I have talked to her.
Go Christine!
I’ve only used the VA a few times in recent years, and have had coverage with employers most of my adult life. I did go to the VA in Birmingham enough to know how it operates in many areas. Their GPs, or primary care physicians are full time VA employees. But many of the specialists are UAB doctors who come to the VA a day or two per week. I saw specialists who came to the VA hospital to see patients only one day per week. And some patients are sent to specialists’ private, local clinics for treatment.
It does make sense to use local doctors for basic care. If I go to the VA, it is a 150 mile round trip. There is a VA clinic for basic care that is an 80 mile round trip. What I’ve actually done is go to my regular GP, and then to the VA when I needed diagnostic tests and a specialist.