Ask the Veterans how great their government treatment is....

My granddad suffered and died in a VA Hospital due to negligence. The VA Hospital has been notorious for bad treatment and worse service. It is government run health care for upstanding citizens.

Any vets on here have an opinion on the matter? Is this about to be our preview for American health care?

I'm glad u brought this up.

I had 3 uncles who served in WW2.
2 of them are dead now and 1 is in his late 80's
and has tons of problems with the VA Hosp.
They have screwed up his back and his knees
and he is an invalid and disabled due to negligence
of the VA. He has to make appointments 2 months
in advance. He is so frustrated and has stated several
times he wished he'd never joined the military.
One of my dead uncles lost his right hand while trying
to dismantle a field mine in France. He was lucky he wasn't
killed on the spot. But when he was alive years ago,
he complained about the VA as well. And some of
his benefits were dropped later on. Just my 2 cents

I had a stroke at 29 more than likely due to injuries I received in the military "whoops". I looked so bad the people in line at the ER made me go in front of them. The nurses treated were either treating like utter crap, like running me into walls in the wheelchair, at that point I didn't have really any control to my limbs and was trying jerk the chair out of the way. The facial expressions they wore too were horrible, there was disgust in most of the faces I saw in back.

They stuck me in a gurney took blood put an iv in and left me there for a while. They were gone long enough that I came too i guess, in enough time for them to come back say they found nothing, yelled at me for having pot in my system which is the ONLY thing that helps and released me.

Several months later I was sent down to the Palo Alto Va for the WRISC I'll have to look that up because I think I messed up on the acronym. That hospital is walking distance from Stanford and is not only the way all Va hospitals should be but all health care for that matter. The staff there was livid with the seattle Va because apparently if you come in with a stroke or anything that could possibly be a stroke they're supposed to immediately run an MRI on you.

Also the doctors at most Va's seem to be the bottom of the barrel, like the people that barely graduated med school. It's sad so far the only doctor I've met with a similar or higher IQ was at the Palo Alto va. They also hate to hear that any stress or depressions thats ongoing is because of the Va. I could go on but with Aphasia it'd be pointless. If you supported this government health care then I hope with all my heart "whats left of it" that you get the absolute worst care, from doctors that are hovering right above the mildly retarded level because well lets face it you deserve it.

And if you're not dirt poor you have to PAY FOR IT! For some strange reason $254.00 a month in income is not considered poor to the Va.

Generally, I get taken care of pretty well through the VA system. I have had some complaints.

1. About 14 1/2 years ago when I was admitted to the VA hospital to have the tubing necessary for my perotoneal dialysis, the curtain that was hanging next to my bed had human feces wiped on it. Yuck.

2. Earlier this month I was admitted to the hospital for acute failure of my transplant kidney, and was placed in a room with another patient. I don't think I am someone to be treated "special", but it's common for a transplant patient to be placed in a single room due to a compromised immune system from the anti-rejection medicines. The man in the bed next to me had an awful cold or something. After two days of care and getting my kidney failure under control, I was sent home where I became really sick. Much worse feeling than before I went into the hospital. I elected to isolate myself at home instead of returning to the hospital and treated myself with over the counter medicines and some herbs. Yes, I recovered from the "cold" or whatever it was, but it took 3 weeks.

3. Just today, I drove the 200 miles to the hospital where I had the actual transplant because I was scheduled for a kidney biopsy. Three days ago I received a telephone call to remind me of this appointment today, and to be sure not to miss it. When I showed up at nuclear medicine today, the clerk at the check in said to me, "I was afraid you would show up." Huh, I said? She then told me the procedure had been cancelled. Just today. I never received a message that this appointment was cancelled. The procedure might or might not be rescheduled.

4. I was going to quit at this. But I just recalled that 14 years ago when I was asked to select the type of dialysis I would receive, I was told, don't worry about money. I was injured and diseased in Desert Storm, so my care for my kidney failure is covered by the VA. Well, I chose the peritoneal type of dialysis. It provides more freedom for the patient, at least in my opinion. I was sent to a private clinic for this care. Oh, was I ever surprised when the bills began coming in the mail. 1400 dollars a month for the supplies, and that doesn't include the various charges for nursing and tests, etc. I was told I was being given a "reduced" rate because I had no insurance and was receiving just 770 dollars a month from SS. WTF? I eventually got the rather large and growing larger bills paid off after quite some time when I began receiving the VA disability payments. Lucky for me I had a live, related donor to give me a kidney within 8 months instead of having to wait for maybe years for a cadaver donor kidney.

Generally, I get good care from the VA, or at least acceptable care, but there have been some cases, 4 related above, where I wasn't exactly ecstatic about the government provided medical care. And, usually, the folks working at the VA are pretty much compassionate and friendly.

But, hey, it's better than NO care, eh?

Edited to add: Because I was given high doses of prednisone when I first received my transplant, I developed type 2 diabetes. So, I asked my doctor earlier this month, "If I have to have another transplant, will I be able to get a transplanted pancreas at the same time, since I am now diabetic?" The answer is, no. Because I was not diabetic at the time of my transplant, and instead became diabetic due to the medicine, nope, I cannot get a pancreas, which could cure my diabetes. Harumph!

[edit on 22-3-2010 by kyred]

[edit on 22-3-2010 by kyred]

I can honestly say I was treated like a guinea pig when they did a lower GI on me. Ouch!!!!!!!!

Another time I waited there from 6am till 5 PM to see a doctor, only to find out the doctor left at 10am.

I could go on, but you know the routine.

Hurry and wait!!!!!

if you are a veteran please read this thread i started many moons ago. It basically states that if you recieve healthcare from the VA your records can be used against you without your permission for any purposes they deem necessary....

"if you know a veteran please advise them of this change to the privacy act. I am a veteran receiving medical care and decided to read this pamphlet and I am amazed that this blurb is in the act!!!
LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUDICAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS, NATIONAL SECURITY MATTER may be disclosed without your permission!!!!!! "


www.abovetopsecret.com...

So...what does the health care reform passed on Sunday have to do with the VA?

As I understand it you stand to make money from the bill so you can afford private insurance and you won't have to go to the VA anymore.

If I'm missing something in the legislation that says veterans are exempt from any of the 'perks' the bill provides let me know. I didn't read anything about that.

Well,I spent 8 GLORIOUS hours at the West L.A. Medical Center a couple of weeks ago on the weekend.

What a fine example of the Federal governments involvement with health care.

Actually this is one of the better facilities because all the doctors are from UCLA medical center just across the freeway.

Did I mention there was only three of us in the triage center when I arrived at 12 noon and it took 2 HOURS just to see a doctor on the weekend?

But,it gets better.

After I was FINALLY seen by the triage doctor,he quickly decided maybe I should be seen in the EMERGENCY! Room.

No kidding! The right side of my face was numb and I was slurring my speech!

I was taken across the hallway to the EMERGENCY! Room and after being searched by the security guard,I was shown into the treatment room and was hooked up to a EKG machine.

I lay there for about an hour wondering what was up.

Finally a doctor came in(guess the basketball game was over)with his entourage of a half dozen interns and med students.

He had already determined I had a reaction to a previous problem that I had spent a couple of hours there before.

But,he asked if it would be alright if the students examined me and looked at my condition so they could better see how my condition manifests it self.

Being bored I said sure.So I let a group of 20 somethings paw and poke me in the name of science.

A couple of them were young and female and kind of cute.

When you are my age ,you'll do anything for a little touch from a woman,even if it is just,"take a deep breath and hold it."

So they decided I needed a CAT scan.

After unhooking all the wires from the EKG machine

off I went on a gurney to the imaging department.

After a quick scan and a trip back to the treatment room,I waited and waited and waited and waited.

It seems they were waiting for a Radiologist to come over from UCLA to read the scan.

At 4PM the doctor came in and said the CAT scan was good and I didn't have anything internally wrong with me.

But he wanted a specialist to check me out since my condition was his specialty.

So I waited and waited and waited,for another 2 hours in a cold treatment room.

I turned off the lights and tried to take a nap as I waited.

I asked the orderly who took me to the imaging department to tell my daughter in the triage waiting room,who had driven me there,I was still
alive and was just waiting.

Finally the Specialist followed by a half dozen of his doctors in training came in and checked me out and gave his approval of the treatment plan.

Then I waited and waited and waited while the prescriptions were entered in to the computer system and the nurse completed my discharge orders.

Finally at 7Pm they told me I could go down to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription.

I found my daughter in the waiting room and went down to the pharmacy and filled out a paper and waited and waited and waited.

After ringing the bell and yelling at the pharmacist to make her understand that I was extremely displeased with her facility,I received my medicine and walked out of there at 8PM.

It was an 8 hour experience.

On a weekend,3 of us in triage,1 other in the EMERGENCY! Room when I walked in and no one else at the pharmacy when I was there.

But it is the best medicine the government can provide for free.

I really can't complain though,it is my fault.

I should have realized that on a weekend when there was only 3 other people in the waiting room,I should have stopped and bought lunch and dinner and grabbed a book to read.

That is what you do if you have a appointment during the week!

Thank god I didn't go to the local hospital.

I live in a city with a HIGH percentage of "undocumented immigrants" that use our EMERGENCY! room for their free primary care facility.

It would have been at least 12 hours before I was even seen by a doctor there.

God bless America,home of free health care for disabled veterans and "Undocumented immigrants".

And you all will HAVE to pay for OBamacare.They will fine you if you do not do so.

It is now the law,whether you like it or not.

Welcome to the U.S.S.A."We will tell you what to do."

[edit on 23-3-2010 by Oneolddude]

The one thing I would like to point out with every post so far is that they got treatment and sure it may not have been the best ever but of course you will get more of those stories. Nobody tells stories of the great time they had at the doctor or rarely.


The other thing they all have in common is that got treatment, that's better then nothing at all. Imagine how bad it would have been if any of them would just have been left to rot and suffer?

Its like saying you would rather die a horrible painful death then possibly not get the best care in the world but still live and without nearly the amount of pain.

reply to post by links234


You actually read the entire bill? Amazing a speed reader on ATS!

The VA has treated me pretty well, better than active duty did. My original medical records say test subject on them...thanks army I appreciate it.

Originally posted by whoshotJR
The one thing I would like to point out with every post so far is that they got treatment and sure it may not have been the best ever but of course you will get more of those stories. Nobody tells stories of the great time they had at the doctor or rarely.


The other thing they all have in common is that got treatment, that's better then nothing at all. Imagine how bad it would have been if any of them would just have been left to rot and suffer?

Its like saying you would rather die a horrible painful death then possibly not get the best care in the world but still live and without nearly the amount of pain.

I got ZERO #ing treatment from my stroke, the only thing I got from the experience was aphasia. When they told the veterans they were going to finally take care of people with PTSD, give out purple hearts etc... Well they stopped dead in there tracks on that and vets started offing themselves in larger numbers. Myself reading medical instructions out of a book to my mentally disabled roommate would be more effective. Find your local Va hospital go in and sit down for awhile and watch.

The medical system in place was great until people got stupider and more complacent, allowing medical industrial complex to run wild. I'm dumbfounded by the pure idiocy of people that think tons of doctors and medical staff are going to work happily with pay cuts etc...

The craptastic care that people will start receiving will change their minds, but it'll be too late. Sorry if this doesn't make sense.

edit: Tripler Army hospital in Oahu is lauded as a great hospital etc... Everyone I met that had to get worked on there called it "crippler" army hospital because people generally had more problems leaving.

[edit on 23-3-2010 by Silverado292]

[edit on 23-3-2010 by Silverado292]

reply to post by xstealth


I apologize for what your grandparents went through but what do you exactly suggest? We have thousans of vets that depend on the governments assistance which is the least this country can do for their service. What should do? Leave it to the private insurance companies to take over? Aside from the cost do you think they'll take in these vets no problem? these vets who for the part are older, who have pre-existing conditions? Or do you suggest we put them on medicare, another form of government run healthcare?

Please, please let us know what your getting at here.

reply to post by whoshotJR


Well,you are correct sir or madam.I do not normally go to the facility I went to.I avoid it because of the long wait time.

The facility I go to is a shorter distance from my home and if I have an appointment I am usually seen and out in 20 minutes or so.

Pharmacy wait is about the same.

But they have no ER.

The only one is West L.A.

I truly believe service wise the one I normally go to is the best V.A. hospital in the country.

I also have a private doctor I go to near my home for conditions unrelated to my disability.

I could also receive health care for free at the nearby military base but choose not to.

But the issue actually not health care reform.

What the idiots should have been passing was Pharmaceutical Company reform and the over priced medicines they sell.

What they should have been passing was health insurance reform,so the for profit health company executives are not living like kings with multi-million dollar incomes while denying life saving treatment to average folks.

This bill was not about health care.YOU will pay for it.They are forcing you to do so.If you don't you WILL be fined.Even if you are healthy and don't need it.

It is about choice.

They did not legislate taking high fructose corn syrup out of EVERYTHING you eat.The number one cause of obesity and diabetes in this country.

They did not legislate anything to prevent the rampant unchecked billing fraud in Medicare or the V.A.

All they did was tell you is you must have health insurance and you must pay for it.

This will bankrupt this country.Those who are children today will not as adults have the luxuries we as adults have and had growing up.

They will be taxed to death and have NO disposable income to afford those luxuries.

The fraud is Obama and the witch just created 30,000 more federal jobs of which he promised to make the government smaller.




[edit on 23-3-2010 by Oneolddude]

Originally posted by xstealth
Any vets on here have an opinion on the matter? Is this about to be our preview for American health care?

I am not a vet, but the morality of any nation, and it's government can be very reliably judged by two simple measures:

1/ How it treats returned veterans, especially the disabled and incapacitated.

2/ How it treats prisoners of war, and the civilians of conquered nations.

America does not fare too well in either.





[edit on 23/3/2010 by Silver Shadow]

reply to post by Silver Shadow


Agreed, infact you'd be surprised how many homeless veterans there are out there with no healthcare:
www.nchv.org...

An estimated 260,000 of them. So what is th OP getting at really I ask? Government healthcare is horrible? Well these service men and women can't even get healthcare let alone stability in life because the government forgot about them. Whats the alternative?

Fixing the system and making sure the government 'cares' is the answer.

Originally posted by Southern Guardian
reply to post by xstealth

 

I apologize for what your grandparents went through but what do you exactly suggest? We have thousans of vets that depend on the governments assistance which is the least this country can do for their service. What should do? Leave it to the private insurance companies to take over? Aside from the cost do you think they'll take in these vets no problem? these vets who for the part are older, who have pre-existing conditions? Or do you suggest we put them on medicare, another form of government run healthcare?

Please, please let us know what your getting at here.

Excellent points, S.G.
I'd like to know as well.

My step-father who is disabled due to what he was exposed to in Vietnam eventually got taken care of quite well. It took a while to recognize his illness but they eventually did and he gets good treatment plus support.

He was one of the lucky ones.
Most of the homeless I came across in the city were Vets.

- Lee

I owe my life to the VA a few times over, but maneuvering through the system is a difficult challenge. The VA is run just like every other government bureaucracy that has little concern for its clients and has as its major goal its own preservation.

Thank God for the VA, but it has caused me much grief through the years. Fortunately, the VA decided to correct a wrong that had been perpetrated against me for nearly three decades.

Now, my life is stable and I am pretty well fixed until the day I draw my final breath, but those were some rough thirty years, while the bureaucracy finally came to its senses and granted me the compensation I deserved all along.

This post is not really meant to deride the VA. I survived and now things are as they should be, but I can tell you that when the only health care in America is on the same level as the VA is now, there are going to be very many very unhappy Americans.

But, I don't care, because they will be getting what they voted for.

[edit on 2010/3/23 by GradyPhilpott]

reply to post by Southern Guardian


As usual, instead of just reading and learning from the experiences of others, you are using this thread to spread your own nefarious agenda.

The OP asked for the veteran's experiences with the VA.

What's so difficult about that?

Maybe the OP is just interested in learning something new and not with some political agenda.

First i was a EMT for over 40 years and have seen many hospital ERs

I am also a 10% service connected veteran.

When i had insurance i would go to the local hospital and if they could not find the problem i would then go to the VA.

I found myself going to the VA more often over the years.

Till in 2002 i developed a painful body wide muscle pain condition and the local hospital claimed they could find nothing wrong and it must be all in my head.(mental)
I then went to the VA because i could hardly work from the pain and was only sleeping about 6 hours every third day due to the pain.

Where the local doctors claimed they could find nothing.
The VA ran a CT scan and did blood work they had me in for a surgical biopsy in less then a week and found I had sarcoidosis, this also caused neurosarcoidosis, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea. (the local non VA hospital never did a CT scan.)

In 2006 one day i was in LA calif doing some business and started to have strange symptoms that i did not understand.
I drove to the nearest VA hospital to go to urgent care to find out what it was.

By the time i parked and walked to the door of the VA hospital i knew i was having a heart attack and walked into the ER and told them i was having a heart attack.
The intern put a heart monitor on me and the next thing i had was a dozen ER personal working on me including one of cardiologist on duty that day at the VA (he was a professor of cardiology of at UCLA) and they loaded me in a ambulance and transported me a half mile to UCLA medical center and right into a angioplasty unit all within 30 minutes from me walking in the door.
Two weeks later i had 5 way bypass surgery(done by another professor from UCLA)
A week after the surgery i walked out of the hospital and drove myself 150 miles home.
And i have not had any heart problems since.

Yes i understand the VA does have some problems and had many more in the past in the 1970s and 80s.
But in the last 20 years they have went from bad to one of the best and most modern medical system in the US.

I can walk into any VA hospital in the US and in minutes they can have my medical records on there computer from my VA hospital.

What other hospital system can they get your medical records from any other hospital in there system within minutes.

Any of my doctors can go back and check a DX made by any of the VA specialist that have treated me and this in its self has made getting treatment easier and better.

reply to post by Oneolddude

Well,I spent 8 GLORIOUS hours at the West L.A. Medical Center a couple of weeks ago on the weekend.

After I was FINALLY seen by the triage doctor,he quickly decided maybe I should be seen in the EMERGENCY! Room.
No kidding! The right side of my face was numb and I was slurring my speech!

I knew to bypass triage when i had my heart attack(being a retired EMT)
don't be afraid to walk right into the ER if you feel you are having a real medical emergency.
"The right side of my face was numb and I was slurring my speech!"
signs of a stroke are a real medical emergency and i would have walked right in the ambulance door and bypassed triage.(its on the east side at the northeast corner at West LA, been there done that)

Finally the Specialist followed by a half dozen of his doctors in training came in and checked me out and gave his approval of the treatment plan.

I never turn down a resident and his interns checking me out its like getting a second third forth opinion.(this is common in a teaching hospital)
And you may get lucky and a intern may catch something the other doctors missed.(he will get points from the resident if he does)



[edit on 23-3-2010 by ANNED]