Posted on 09/18/2017 6:35:48 AM PDT by huldah1776
Internal Department of Veterans Affairs data provided by whistleblowers reveals the agency is only filling about half of its capacity to make medical appointments, even as veterans continue to wait an average of at least 30 days before a medical appointment can be scheduled.
The VA documents show that between July and September of 2017, the agency only used 51.44 percent of the appointments available across its healthcare system.
VA documents also show there are currently 184,520 veterans across the nation waiting longer than 30 days for an appointment and more than 45,000 new veteran patients waiting more than 90 days. Internal VA documents also indicate 479,239 veterans nationwide are waiting for physician requested follow-up appointments over 30 days for the period July to September 2017.
The VA says its times have improved over the last few years.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
That’s my question: Why?
My VA care at Mather outside Sacramento is the best care I ever had, or that anyone ever had.
First class everything. And timely too.
Vets: You don’t have to wait. Demand to be referred for outside care.
In my experience in the VA system most of the VA hospitals are severely understaffed. The one I’m presently in has one physician assistant, one doctor and one psychiatrist who serve about 400 people in their dorm program.
Welcome to Single Payer Health Care.
When ever a Lib gives me that Medicare For All line, I say - you mean VA care for All & it shuts them up.
My care is excellent as well. It’s too bad the VA hospitals can’t all be the same level of quality. :(
Having worked as a physician at a large VA hospital I can tell you the system has a hard time keeping good people. It’s an 80/20 organization where 20% of the people do 80% of the work, while the rest are mostly clock-watchers. Just barely good enough is enough to keep your job. The dedicated people burn out and leave since there is no reward for excellence. Indeed excellence can get you in trouble since the excellent people make everyone else look bad.
And when you get an appointment, the medical student “resident” or “intern” that sees you isn’t sure how to get you the care you need within the VA system, IF the care is available in the system, or how to follow up. BUT -— if they send you outside the system for care, they just don’t pay the bill anyway. Even though the VA makes the appointment and sends you there, who do you think they come to for payment??? And current rules say that if a Veteran pays even $1 toward the bill, they have assumed full responsibility for it. It makes a big hit on the credit report waiting for the VA to pay the bill.
Jimmy
VA care is PLATINUM for those in Tier 1 (50%+ Service Connected disability). World class.
For instance:
I needed some pre surgery phys therapy for a knee. VA couldn’t get me in in less than 30 days so they referred me outside.
To the Capital Athletic Club, which has a PT office onsite. Since it a wood-paneled high end Athletic club in downtown Sacramento, it’s the gym of Judges and Senators. Valet parking and all.
My surgery will be performed by teaching surgeons from UC San Francisco. They volunteer their time.
All at no cost to me.
You have care that good? Certainly Single Payer will not be that good for everyone. No nation could afford it.
But it’s not wise to hold up VA care as an example of what would be bad.
It’s the best care money can buy.
If you kept in touch with anyone in the hospital, ask if the new ROE for discipline and ease of firing (not a weapon) has improved care. Let me know. :)
I’ve pretty much lost touch as it’s been a while. I’ll just say that the revelations of the past several years have come as absolutely no surprise to me.
CHOICE Program available to vets if one lives 40 miles away from nearest VA Facility or has to wait more than 30 days for an apt. I’ve used it here in the Ozarks. Works fine. But prior enrollment in VA Healthcare required as is each and every appt. for CHOICE.
Overall, I get good care from the VA. However, I had a little problem with my heart condition back in April and they advised me to go to the hospital, which I did. In the hospital I saw a Physician’s Assistant (who was damned good). My follow-up appointment with a cardiologist for this April visit...is next week (Sept. 25th).
The horror stories come from vets that are in priority groups 5-8. I’m not even sure they should be in the system at all.
Groups 1 and 2 get the finest care money can buy. As they should.
https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/priority_groups.asp
Oh, because the media hates everything associated with the military, they don’t bother to tell you they people getting substandard care are in groups 5-8.
“Space available” medical care.
Vets: You don’t have to wait. Demand to be referred for outside care.
>><<
That’s correct, Mariner. Vets need use the Choice program if needed.
yikes. They don’t pay at all if sent outside? Do you think the private hospitals price gouge?
I’ve been to private providers multiple times.
I have never seen a bill.
It was amazing the attitude change when a lifer USAR E-6 crossed the 2nd time, I warned him not to. I took it to the top by not giving in, the guy left the unit (at the recommendation of the CSM). I have very few issues after that.
So get IG guys that will follow up, make waves, and get the oxygen thieves fired.
I am sure it is better now than it was under Hussein. DJT will not accept this level, however. Not good enough.
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