delta1 wrote:As for Shulkin, I've had a change of heart...it seems that many vets and veteran's associations supported him...he had a great reputation at the VA when Trump nominated him for the top job...he was confirmed by the Senate 100-0, unanimous, a rarity for any Trump nominee...
The allegations of Shulkin's family's traveling on the public dime and accepting "gifts" while abroad were over-blown and exaggerated by opponents appointed by Trump to the VA Commission...these commissioners are supported by the Kochs, who have advocated privatizing the VA...
The Trump appointees appeared to have an agenda to accelerate the privatization of the VA, which was at odds with Shulkin's agenda to do limited privatization, only where they could improve efficiency and effectiveness of the organization, like where there are long wait times, waiting lists for service, long distances to nearest VA facility, etc. The Koch appointees advocate total privatization, which our vets oppose.
Does anybody think for profit medical care for our vets will result in lower costs and better care? Make the case...
Saw some info this past week that indicated that the wait times have not improved during the past year and that there is evidence that the numbers were fudged to show some improvement when there was none. If this is true and add on the public dime paying for some of his personnel expenses, then he should be shown the door. Don't care who he was appointed by or his political lean.
As far as the VA goes, I probably would not use unless it was my only option. Being a retiree I'm covered by Tri-Care and can go pretty much where ever I chose. Most non-retiree's don't have that option. From where I sit there is no excuse for a 30 day wait for initial visits. Maybe for specialty in some cases but not initial visits. I don't have the answer to the extent that privatization should take place but we should give it a try. The present system is bogged down in bureaucracy and is not working. At worse it is no better but on the other hand it may just improve service times and I guarantee it will improve quality of care.
When I left active duty I did the routine VA screening to determine overall health. During the process I was seen by three different Dr's and I could not clearly understand any of the three. All tech's and others I could understand but not the Dr's. Had to wait a couple of months for the printed report to see what the hell was going on. From my stand point I would not consider this quality care if I can't understand what they are saying.
Current golfing buddy of mine has been using nearest VA for several years. He is a Vietnam era vet and he kept asking his VA Dr about a PSA test. Dr kept telling him he did not believe in the PSA it was not needed. Buddy started having some problems and decided to get a second opinion. New Dr ordered PSA and results came back 40.0. For any of you not in the know, anything over 4.5 is considered high. Luckily the cancer had not spread and the prognoses seems to be good.
These situations may not seem that big a deal but they are not that uncommon. So, from my stand point I can't help but think privatization will help, especially the quality of care.
