[mbynack]

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.

[Palladin]

It's about time the shoddy care of our vets became front page news. This has been going on for decades, and everyone's been afraid to speak out about it.

But this is a new day. We have the internet, Thank God!

Kudos to Imus, even though he is a nut.

[Cailleach]

Ping...

But...memories stir...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1787177/posts

Strange how just a few weeks ago freepers were calling BS on this...

[miliantnutcase]

Yeah, thankfully my grandfather had good health insurance so we could get him out of the VA and into a real hospital.

I propose we shut down the whole VA system and let vets use whatever health care provider they like and then let the feds reimburse the provider.