Posted on 08/24/2016 7:27:18 PM PDT by combat_boots
A 76-year-old veteran committed suicide on Sunday in the parking lot of the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Long Island, where he had been a patient, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Peter A. Kaisen, of Islip, was pronounced dead after he shot himself outside Building 92, the nursing home at the medical center.
The hospital is part of the Veterans Affairs medical system, the nation’s largest integrated health care organization, which has been under scrutiny since 2014, when the department confirmed that numerous patients had died awaiting treatment at a V.A. hospital in Phoenix. Officials there had tried to cover up long waiting times for 1,700 veterans seeking medical care. A study released by the Government Accountability Office in April indicated that the system had yet to fix its scheduling problems.
Why Mr. Kaisen decided to end his life was not immediately known, but two people connected to the hospital who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss his death said that he had been frustrated that he was unable to see an emergency-room physician for reasons related to his mental health. “He went to the E.R. and was denied service,” one of the people, who currently works at the hospital, said. “And then he went to his car and shot himself.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
My husband is a vet and has had wonderful care. In addition, when he has been treated in other medical facilities, they covered it. But, I know it is otherwise in many places.
“Unless this is an attempt to discredit those who did not receive top shelf treatment like you.”
There are multiple sides to every issue. You apparently don’t want to know experiences other than negative with the VA. I can’t help you with that.
Was he a combat veteran?
.
I don’t want people getting, and giving, the wrong impression of VA care.
Heh. I consider the lab people ‘brusque’ too, and the admin people take a little smoozing...
It’s just like the Army!
Again, what has that has to do with those who have received substandard treatment? And why would you attempt to discredit those folks by pointing to someone who might have received better treatment?
“I have had nothing but stellar care through my VA.”
I don’t doubt your word. For myself, the phrase that leaps to mind is “kicked around like a mangy dog.”
They have behaved abominably, in ways that should see them fired, if not prosecuted.
May God have mercy on Mr. Kaisen’s soul, and may he be better treated in the next world than he was by the criminals at the VA.
That’s understandable. I have no doubt many veterans receive great care. But it’s no secret there are issues and room for much improvement. Right?
Sad, but predictable.
So then you are saying that I intend by my post to “discredit” the negative positions of others about the VA.
“Discredit” is the keyword you are pressing me with as obviously you wish to challenge somebody, anybody to make your evening.
You go on, and find somebody that wants to play your game. I will not.
I didn't take it that way at all. And I'd bet most others didn't either.
Thank you. Over the years one develops insight of fellow freepers by interaction, and commentary. I would never have considered dragnet12 to be as contrary as we see him tonight.
BTW I’ve noted many of your postings over time, and thank you for your participation here at FR. Your documentation of issues is appreciated.
God rest his soul. Prayers for his friends and family; and caregivers.
Were veterans better taken care of before 1989, or now?
Same here they have been my go to for years, Wife works with them and knows the ropes.
Sad to say but always depends on the Facility, a lot of them out there are bad stuff. I happen to have a good advocate with the wife she has been on board since I was drafted in 66, Some are Hell Holes, and even the good ones have some bad apples, but learn to work around them or REPORT them, and she does that also. Have Buddies that have horrendous stories.
“two people connected to the hospital... said that he had been frustrated that he was unable to see an emergency-room physician for reasons related to his mental health. “He went to the E.R. and was denied service,” ... “And then he went to his car and shot himself.”
“Someone dropped the ball,” the worker said. “They should not have turned him away.”
DUH! EPIC FAIL
“the employees here at Northport feel this loss deeply and extend their thoughts and prayers to all those impacted by this tragedy.”
Oh well then, your feelings, thoughts, and prayers make all the difference..... but wait... I”M DEAD!!!
“The Northport hospital has been under scrutiny for mismanagement and poor care ...”
” ...it had closed all five of its operating rooms for months after sand-size black particles began falling from air ducts.”
“... Representative Lee Zeldin, a Republican whose First Congressional District includes Northport, had been looking into the allegations, Eric Amidon, Mr. Zeldin’s chief of staff, said in an email to The Times in June.”
JUNE???? How long does it take to FIRE someones A$$?
The V.A., a national DISGRACE.
Help is on it’s way, Trump to the rescue, but sadly not soon enough for Mr. Kaisen. How many more of our veterans will die, waiting in line, before Trump is elected and fixes this mess?
I worked in a big city ER (civilian) for years.This doesn't sound right.Even if he was,in fact,not eligible for VA treatment they should have arranged for him to be transferred to a civilian hospital.He certainly would have seen a "triage" nurse first and he/she would have determined why he was there and how urgent his complaint could be considered.And if,then,a clerk told the nurse that he was,somehow,ineligible,transfer arrangements would have been made.
76? Probably Vietnam.
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