I believe the initial intent was to give them facilities all their own where they would receive immediate and specialized treatment related to the injuries and maladies resulting from military service...bypassing hospital facilities that were/are not completely equipped to handle their specific needs. It was considered positive/preferential treatment.

The problem...as I see it...is that the needs became greater than the facilities in the last several years. More demand than supply. And...apparently, the funds necessary to match the demands just couldn't keep up.

Our veterans are insured...by the US government. The private sector could not begin to match or improve on the costs for their treatments. I have veteran friends who receive excellent treatment for practically no cost at all versus what I would have to pay for similar treatments/services in the private sector.

I don't think this current state of affairs reflects the governments desire...or any lack therein...to serve our veterans. I think it's currently a political football being tossed around as a pre-election tool...and perhaps...to encourage support for more funding. Personally, I think it's despicable the way it's being played out in the press...leading the public to believe that this government does not care for their own.

But...of course...that's JMHO!

Many Veteran's Hospitals are abysmal. Our Veterans deserve better - how about letting them in on the health care that Congress enjoys.

DH rotated through the Veteran's Hospital in Philadelphia when he was in training and he said that if he had to treat patients there for the rest of his life he'd quit medicine. The bureaucracy is overwhelming, many staff members are overworked, patients are just numbers, and you can only prescribe the medicine that's on the 'allowed' list which isn't always the best medicine for the diagnosis.

We have an acquaintance who is a Psychiatrist at the VA and quite honestly it's the only place that would hire him and keep him. He's just putting in his time.

Perhaps others have had a better experience - I can only hope.

Good question Chisue, I went looking and found somewhat of a brief history.
Your idea to just provide insurance and choice is terrific, it would eliminate so many of the problems we are seeing now.

Here is a link that might be useful: VA Health

The thing that really scares me is that, if the country goes to a single-payer system, as many in Congress hope, we will all be subject to the same type and availability of treatment as the vets are now experiencing.

That said, my father is 92 years old, and (because he has service-connected disabilities) receives most of his care at a VA facility. He has had no problems whatsoever, and receives wonderful care. So the problem, although widespread, is not at all facilities.

As for quilly's suggestion that veterans be let into the system that Congress enjoys, it is not the best system by any means. First of all, the Affordable Care Act states that Congress shall be covered by Obamacare; however, because they (illegally) chose to stay in the federal employees plan, their coverage is very good, but not complete. There are still significant copays and deductibles.

I think a lot of vets have other health insurance via Tri Care. I know my sister has Tri Care for herself and her daughter. But she is retired military so that may be the difference. I"m not sure that all vets can get Tri Care. Maybe a vet could clarify. I will say though that she goes to the VA for most of her care. Overall, she's received very good care, So not all VA hospitals/care centers are the same.

My brother in law got excellent care in ID at the VA hospital and everything was so clean. I agree with Anne--they are needed to handle the specialized treatments that our veterans need, but do need to be improved. My Granddaughter took her training at Walter Reed Army Hospital while in the Army and got excellent training and came back as a certified as a LPN.
Scissors, I believe that the Tri Care is available for retired members only. My DD and SIL have it, but they are both retired.

It's my belief that most VA hospitals have become very good -- after touching bottom when completely overwhelmed by patients who would not have survived in prior years.

I understand the original intent, but would like to see if, like people on Medicare, vets couldn't find good care where they choose -- if they were provided insurance for wider health care choices and hospitals were adequately paid for meeting their needs. Are most of their needs so unique to veterans?

Perhaps more general hospitals would improve, add trauma centers, add rehabilitation centers. Kind of a win/win/win for vets, the general population, and the hospital biz. There would at least be *competition*.

DS has worked in Chicago as a paramedic. The most prominent hospitals in the city have no or lesser-grade trauma centers. The University of Chicago hospital is located right in the gang infested area where 90% of gun deaths occur; no trauma center. (Sorry, getting off track.)

Before retiring 11 years ago I worked as an RN Case Manager. When a vet was admitted to the hospital he could only stay in our community hospital a day or 2, until stable, then had to transfer to a VA hospital for further care. Most of these vets also had Medicare, & thus could opt to stay locally. If they didn't have Medicare or other insurance, then they had no choice but to transfer to a VA facility, often far from home & family.

When we needed to set up home oxygen we had no problems or delays in doing so for anyone except VA patients. I remember calling the VA rep @ 10 a.m. about home O2 & he told me it was to late in the day to expect to accomplish it before tomorrow! The patient's dismissal was delayed because of the VA's inefficiency.

I have long thought that veterans' medical care should be incorporated into regular existing systems where possible, reducing duplication of services & inefficiencies, as well as costs and I believe in a lot of instances markedly improving quality of care.

I work in healthcare admin. I've seen the same thing as Bee. If a vet is admitted to the hospital, the VA will only authorize the stay until he is stable. Then he must be transferred to a VA hospital. It doesn't matter if they are local and the nearest VA hospital is hours away. There are only four VA hospitals in our state. The closest to our area is more than two hours away. Meanwhile, there are multiple local hospitals that are more than capable of providing treatment. And we are lucky. There are no VA hospitals even remotely close to the western part of our state. For the family of any veteran living there and forced to transfer to a VA hospital, the drive could easily be 5+ hours each way.

When we bill the VA, they usually ignore the claims. They don't send denials; they frequently just don't respond at all. If we do get a response, it typically takes app. one year. They have no online system for checking claims status. It is a miracle to get someone to answer the phone. Usually, it just rings multiple times, then you get a message saying all lines are busy and to call back later. There is no way to leave a message and ask for callback. The employees at the VA are rude when trying to check coverage. One day, when I finally reached someone, she was VERY rude.

The VA also has some insane rules about things like healthcare POA. Even if someone has a signed healthcare POA, prepared by an attorney, the VA refuses to recognize it. This situation happened a few weeks ago and I didn't even believe it until I spoke to someone at the VA local office who confirmed it. She was actually very nice, but explained that the VA doesn't recognize "state documents"; they have their own form (of course) that must be completed.

the sad thing is so many are "forgotten"and va hospitals are last chance...this whole situation isn't new either...dad's best pal's dw was at the los angeles va and it was overwhelming when the vn vets started returning, in the 70's..she stay because she couldn't bare to leave the patients...but hated everyday...now once again we have had a influx since 1990's after desert storm, and the aging babyboomers who are now returning...(vn vets all over again)
i think, too, some have been exposed to more than general population hospitals would have been able to deal with (remember agent orange?), but with any federal program, it's probably been tossed around like a football, with a losing team!

Thanks for the good response to my question. I think I will go ahead and contact my US Senator and Representative.

I know all such things take a minimum of twenty years to even 'catch on'. I will be long gone before that, but, you know, I still plant trees that I will never see mature.

I hate to see private campaigns to aid veterans and active servicemen when the whole nation should be behind improving conditions.