[advocate10]

Yes, VA health care can be likened to that provided in third-world countries. Indeed, that is where many VA doctors come from. They are willing to work cheap, and you get what you pay for. It's hard to even see a doctor. I have been on a waiting list for over two years to see a doctor at my local VA clinic.

Don't get me started on the supposed benifit of shopping at military BX/PX's where savings are a sham and service doesn't exist. The "deep discounts" at commissaries are a joke, too. Yes, prices seem low...until you get to checkout where they slap on a 10% surcharge!

[antidisestablishment]

VA medical has always been a problem, unless you were lucky enough to retire near a hospital. But now even active duty medical coverage is non-existent in many stations. My question is what the hell are they going to do for doctors when we go to war? I just can't see bringing your buddy with a sucking chest wound to the local HMO.

The commissary died when they consolidated it. Where did all the supposed savings go? (Which senator's cousin owns the wholesale distibutorships?) And let's talk about VA funding fees for mortagages. Hah! The level of benefits used to help offset many of the inequities. Today, they compare to a good corporate package—the problem is you rarely risk your life for a corporate job.