Aa
The Washington Post lauds VA health care
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/in-the-va-system-the-future-of-primary-health-care/2012/11/30/c10d5cf0-3b2e-11e2-8a97-363b0f9a0ab3_story.html?hpid=z3
I wonder what Dennis thinks of this? The perception and the reality may be two different animals.
ess
I wonder what Dennis thinks of this? The perception and the reality may be two different animals.
ess
(cont).
If I remember correctly there are around 25 regions to the VA health care system. And each one runs things pretty much like they want to. I think the only real requirement is that they treat all of the Vets that get to use the system, but nothing about how well they are treated as far as I can tell.
I think the only rational for the different regional control is that it cost more for one VA center to be run over another (doctors pay, etc) is due to the different cost of living. This I do agree with but it shouldn't control the level of care we receive. There should be a national policy on what they level of care we get. If one Vet center gives those WalkAide foot drop systems to Vets with MS, why can't we get them at other VA center?
Dennis
If I remember correctly there are around 25 regions to the VA health care system. And each one runs things pretty much like they want to. I think the only real requirement is that they treat all of the Vets that get to use the system, but nothing about how well they are treated as far as I can tell.
I think the only rational for the different regional control is that it cost more for one VA center to be run over another (doctors pay, etc) is due to the different cost of living. This I do agree with but it shouldn't control the level of care we receive. There should be a national policy on what they level of care we get. If one Vet center gives those WalkAide foot drop systems to Vets with MS, why can't we get them at other VA center?
Dennis
Shell,
Actually the reporting probably wasn't false in that it probably was very good care for Vets in the area of the country where they looked. The problem is that the care at all VA Centers is not the same as at those that do give Vets good care.
On the other MS board I belong to one vet in NC told about how his doctor felt he was a fall risk patient so the next thing he knew he was given a scooter and modification for his vehicle in order to carry it without ever asking about a scooter. While here at my VA my doctor will ask if I have fallen any since the last visit (which is always yes), but nothing is done about it.
Another vet in Mich. just told recently about how his kidney function has been declining rapidly due to bladder problems. He had gotten 2 referrals to urology but both times they wouldn't even do any testing. A week after the last urology appointment he was in a civilian hospital getting tested, RX for self cath, instructions on how to do it. So now he has bad kidneys because the VA would do nothing. Kind of like my experience with my VA and bladder problems. It took me almost 2 years to get a referral for my bladder problems from my PC. It then took 4 months to actually get seen in urology, and I still have a 6 month wait to have the testing done.
Actually the reporting probably wasn't false in that it probably was very good care for Vets in the area of the country where they looked. The problem is that the care at all VA Centers is not the same as at those that do give Vets good care.
On the other MS board I belong to one vet in NC told about how his doctor felt he was a fall risk patient so the next thing he knew he was given a scooter and modification for his vehicle in order to carry it without ever asking about a scooter. While here at my VA my doctor will ask if I have fallen any since the last visit (which is always yes), but nothing is done about it.
Another vet in Mich. just told recently about how his kidney function has been declining rapidly due to bladder problems. He had gotten 2 referrals to urology but both times they wouldn't even do any testing. A week after the last urology appointment he was in a civilian hospital getting tested, RX for self cath, instructions on how to do it. So now he has bad kidneys because the VA would do nothing. Kind of like my experience with my VA and bladder problems. It took me almost 2 years to get a referral for my bladder problems from my PC. It then took 4 months to actually get seen in urology, and I still have a 6 month wait to have the testing done.
There should be consequence for false reporting of this magnitude.
Dennis - I echo what has been said. It's nothing less than negligent for those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. I cannot say anything more heartfelt than Ess (by way of einstein - brilliant), and Pastor D. Thank you for all you do,have done, and know there are many of us, including myself who are so proud and grateful.
I too pray for the day when our government gets it's priorities straight. Gov't run healthcare has sank many a country, ours has clearly failed you and many others.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank you :)
-Shell
Dennis - I echo what has been said. It's nothing less than negligent for those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. I cannot say anything more heartfelt than Ess (by way of einstein - brilliant), and Pastor D. Thank you for all you do,have done, and know there are many of us, including myself who are so proud and grateful.
I too pray for the day when our government gets it's priorities straight. Gov't run healthcare has sank many a country, ours has clearly failed you and many others.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank you :)
-Shell
Dennis, I would simply like to say that there are many, many Americans who have some inkling of the sacrifices you and your brothers and sisters have made for our freedom and that of others around the world. We know that you deserve far better care in recompense. I pray for the day when our government gets its' priorities straight.
It is pure propaganda and spin. Sure there are some good care at some VA hospitals and medical centers, but from what I have read on-line from other Vets there are a lot that are just as bad or worse than the VA I go to. This article is based solely on what is happening at one of those GOOD VA centers.
They have signs all of the VA Hospital about how they have implements the program this article talks about here, but there has been no change in how things are done. It is just basically filling out on-line forms but doing nothing about it.
When I go in for an appointment with my PC the nurse that does the vitals also sit there and asks if you are depressed (Yes mark it on the form). Do you have any pain (Yes mark it on the form). But is anything done for the depression or pain. NOT AT ALL.
The hydrocodone I use for MS HUG expired almost a year ago but my PC will not give me any more. Even when she did give me some she limited it to 30 pills per year. Even though I complain about pain every time I see my PC I have never gotten a referral to a pain clinic.
I suffer from PTSD but have never been seen at the PTSD clinic. Instead they have me see a shrink in the geriatrics clinic. But the shrink spends most of the appointment time just going over what medication I am taking. This is just a Is this medication working is that medication working type of thing. And if he thinks there is a problem all he does is send a note to my PC to have her make adjustments when I see her again 3 months later.
Yes I said 3 months later! The bit about not having to wait 90 days is just a trick in statistics and number crunching. You have to show up at the VA by 7:30AM in order to get seen the same day (usually around 4PM before your are seen) and it is not with your PC. The VA still insists that you can not see your PC under any circumstance in less that 90 days from your last appointment.
Dennis
They have signs all of the VA Hospital about how they have implements the program this article talks about here, but there has been no change in how things are done. It is just basically filling out on-line forms but doing nothing about it.
When I go in for an appointment with my PC the nurse that does the vitals also sit there and asks if you are depressed (Yes mark it on the form). Do you have any pain (Yes mark it on the form). But is anything done for the depression or pain. NOT AT ALL.
The hydrocodone I use for MS HUG expired almost a year ago but my PC will not give me any more. Even when she did give me some she limited it to 30 pills per year. Even though I complain about pain every time I see my PC I have never gotten a referral to a pain clinic.
I suffer from PTSD but have never been seen at the PTSD clinic. Instead they have me see a shrink in the geriatrics clinic. But the shrink spends most of the appointment time just going over what medication I am taking. This is just a Is this medication working is that medication working type of thing. And if he thinks there is a problem all he does is send a note to my PC to have her make adjustments when I see her again 3 months later.
Yes I said 3 months later! The bit about not having to wait 90 days is just a trick in statistics and number crunching. You have to show up at the VA by 7:30AM in order to get seen the same day (usually around 4PM before your are seen) and it is not with your PC. The VA still insists that you can not see your PC under any circumstance in less that 90 days from your last appointment.
Dennis
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