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I go to the Dallas VA. I am a disabled VET. I wish they would close that place.

Why? Because I'd much rather be rolled up in "private" health care. It takes me hours to be seen even with an appointment. The distances that need driven to get to a VA hospital are ridiculous (But of course they will claim you can get reimbursed for the expenses IF you're willing to stand in another line!). The quality of care is OK, but it is very evident that a patient is not a customer. Capitalism works, and the VA does not work, in fact it never has worked well because it fails at the most basic concept of economics and human nature. It's not the fault of the head of the VA, it's a fault of the design of system. It's a socialist system that is massively abused, inefficient, and the patient can't vote with his money, so service sucks.

Because I'd much rather be rolled up in "private" health care. It takes me hours to be seen even with an appointment. The distances that need driven to get to a VA hospital are ridiculous (But of course they will claim you can get reimbursed for the expenses IF you're willing to stand in another line!). The quality of care is OK, but it is very evident that a patient is not a customer. Capitalism works, and the VA does not work, in fact it never has worked well because it fails at the most basic concept of economics and human nature. It's not the fault of the head of the VA, it's a fault of the design of system. It's a socialist system that is massively abused, inefficient, and the patient can't vote with his money, so service sucks.

I'm a 40% disabled vet. I work across the street from the VA clinic and still elect not to use it. I agree with everything you said. I tried using the VA a few years ago and it took me six months to get an appointment. I had a reaction to the medication they put me on and tried to get back in to see the doctor and it was going to take six more months to be seen.

I've heard similar complaints from other vets. I wonder if a better solution might be to give grants or big tax incentives to private doctors, nurses, philanthropic organizations, and volunteers to provide care for vets. That way you'd have people who truly care running the show, rather than a bunch of bureaucrats and the indifference and inefficiency that come with them.

I hitchhiked around the country for a year after being discharged from the Army in 1971.

As I was winding it up heading to LA, a guy who had picked me up got into a bad accident outside Terrell, and I spent a month at Dallas VA.

They took really good care of me. Of course, that was 36 years ago. But I'll always be grateful.

I hitchhiked around the country for a year after being discharged from the Army in 1971.

As I was winding it up heading to LA, a guy who had picked me up got into a bad accident outside Terrell, and I spent a month at Dallas VA.

They took really good care of me. Of course, that was 36 years ago. But I'll always be grateful.

I agree on the Dallas VA center.I was sent there for a hepatitis C clinic[550 miles away],and they did not have a clue as to why I was there.It is a pig with lipstick.I was told not to venture out at night,even outside the door for a smoke.I did learn some interesting facts while there.Sixty eight percent of Viet Nam combat era veterans have Hep.C.I even received a notice from the state of Texas verifying that same fact.I am sure other Veterans have gotten the same notice.
The nurse also informed me that the VA wants all Veterans from that era to be checked as the multiple shots from the dreaded injectors were never cleaned between administrations.Check it out for yourself.The female nurse who told me this was a Viet Nam veteran.I have no reason to doubt her.I felt somewhat betrayed as it seemed to me that it was a hush type of alert.I felt every Veteran should be aware of it.