I went to my little VA hospital.
I saw a female PA.
First time I’d ever seen her.
Here is the first thing she said to me.
“You see this button? It’s a panic button. If I press this button, an armed guard will rush to this room.”
I looked at her and said,
“Why? To collect a urine sample? Flashing a gun does make me pee.....sometimes. You’d have to ring out my pants to get the sample, though.”
I had a wonder Indian lady who was my VA Primary Care Provider (PCP) for over 10-years. Four years ago she told me I might not see her again because some grumpy guy complained about her for nearly two years.... After she was gone I have 8 different PCPs. In the past 3.5 years I have had 7 different PCPs or a new doctor every 6 month check up - just fricken unbelievable.
““You see this button? It’s a panic button. If I press this button, an armed guard will rush to this room.””
Is this for real? I do not know where to begin. I’d have just flipped her off and walked out. It’s a very cold and unfriendly thing to say if unprovoked. It’s actually a threat.
Since I am entitled to use VA medical, I am trying them out. I also have BC&BS with medicare. I’m gradually backing away from VA care, as civilian care is far better with zero paperwork. Meds are also cheaper under the civilian plans. If VA care worked out, I’d have cancelled medicare. There’s no way in hell I’d do that now.
I truly feel sorry for vets that have to use the VA for medical care.
Wow, I think I would have walked out at that point or, in today’s climate, demanded a third party to be in the room in any meeting with a woman.
“You see this button? It’s a panic button. If I press this button, an armed guard will rush to this room.”
You should have said: Booo! and laughed.
Than filed a complaint.
Ridiculous.
I was threatened with “involuntary commitment” in the Dallas VA because I would not answer the “do you have any firearms?” question.