Posted on 07/08/2017 12:34:00 AM PDT by GonzoII
all good ides bet as in lots of things there are problems. The VA system that was set up at the start was designed to only serve those veterans who were in the service and injured as a a result of service connected injuries. Pretty soon after the medicare set in around 1965 the mission changed; one only needed to have been IN one of the armed services to receive treatment. So that means that that person who served two years in Omaha pushing paper for the Air Force (no combat zone) had the same or similar treatment capabilities a bronze star veteran. Close the VA facilities and let them all go to their own MD’s and watch what happens. We’ll be broke in a week.
Accountable or else is a good rule.
From:
https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/archives/docs/history_in_brief.pdf
The new agency was responsible for medical services for war veterans; disability compensation and allowances for World War I veterans; life insurance; bonus certificates; retirement payments for emergency officers; Army and Navy pensions; and retirement payments for civilian employees.
No service-connectedness.
“Close the VA as much of the employment there is make work for Veteran haters. Give the Veterans good insurance coverage so they can go to the doctor of their choice in the facilities of their choice. Sell the properties to private investors.”
No, not only no, but hell no. I used to have your same attitude due to negative interaction with the VA.
However over the last few months, I have learned I have had Agent Orange diseases since I was in Vietnam. My private practice med people never had a clue.
I am now in counseling for PTSD. I’ve spent good dollars over the decades seeing private shrinks that had no clue. They do not have the experience, the training or the inclination.
There are certain services the VA provides that are exclusive to war veterans. To send them to a doctor downtown would be a huge injustice to the veterans.
Now for routine care, yes the Choice program works.
But the VA needs to keep alive to serve the special vet needs.
Parts of the VA is infected with the same serpents that are in the DC swamp. Trump and VA Scty Shulkin are doing the right thing, which is firing inept employees.
At a minimum downsize the VA, making it speciality practices (agent orange etc.)
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