"I've had recent experiences with the VA. Strangely enough, saying this as a healthcare professional, I have had nothing but excellent service and treatment. The facilities have modern, up to date equipment and overall very clean and professionally managed. My disappointment comes from the fact 75% of the staff speaks english as a second language."
It REALLY varies a lot from locale to locale.
I've had the questionable "plus" of having been treated at Military/VA hospitals in Bremerton, WA, San Diego, CA Ft. Harrison, MT Denver, Co Salt Lake City, UT and East Orange, NJ.
This included three "experimental" heart operations for a rare condition...and stays up to 8 1/2 months. In general the nursing staff and such are VERY dedicated people...the doctors that are their on internships leave a bit to be desired in some instances...and the WORST of the lot seem to be the "mental health care professionals" who seem to speak English only at gunpoint.
Given the hundreds of thousands of dollars my emergency health care WOULD HAVE cost due to my being unemployed at the time due to my failing health.....I was 'LUCKY' to have gotten ANY care of the sort that saved my life....
But, I've ALSO seen rather dismal results in certain situations. Believe me, I do NOT relish the amount of experience I have had and do NOT enjoy becoming "institutionalized" by "the system".
But, I HAVE learned a few things about playing the game. One of which is that the "patient advocate" in ALL VA facilities is often a good place to start if you encounter particularly egregious behaviour. Another is to get a qualified Service Organization behind you.
After all is said and done, however...the LARGEST and DEEPEST problems come from the administrative side of the VA absolutely REFUSING to communicate with the medical side. This is NOT a "joke". The lack of cooperation is STUNNING.
The major problem for many veterans is not getting "good health care"...it's getting ANY health care whatsoever.
Many get discouraged at the overburden of paperwork. Some of us have NO choice as most public concerns will NOT attend to you as a "charity" case....unless, of course, you snuck over the border at night.
Oh, and speaking from experience...you CAN get innefective or unprofessional parties REMOVED from the system...but THAT takes some congressional horsepower.
Which puts back where we started...
With an OPPORTUNITY to set off some alarm bells in the Public's mind. And, the BEST part of this is that the media coverage is FREE....!!!
I had excellent treatment as a dependent under Tricare while husband was stationed at Norfolk. Gave birth to a healthy baby at Langley AFB. No complaints.
Off topic, Whitefish, Mt.?