I'm not sure what to think of VAs. I know that some provide very good care, but I've also heard some horror stories. I talk to cancer patients from all over the country all day long, and I've noticed some trends among those who rely on the VA for their care. Many of them complain that they can never see their doctors and such, but then, people complain about other hospitals too. The thing that scares me is that some of these people seem to be getting highly inadequate care and don't even realize that it isn't like that everywhere else. I spoke to one man who was diagnosed with lung cancer and told to come back for a checkup in 6 months. They didn't offer him any treatment, nor did they explain to him that there was no treatment available for him. It's like they were putting him out of sight and out of mind. That's just one example.
I realize I'm hearing it from the patient's point of view and I know there are good VA hospitals. There also seem to be some pretty terrible ones, though. This likely stems from the budget cuts. I find it funny that the author touts the efficiency of the VA, but it looks like efficiency for some is achieved by forsaking care for many others.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2005-04-13 07:37 pm (UTC)I realize I'm hearing it from the patient's point of view and I know there are good VA hospitals. There also seem to be some pretty terrible ones, though. This likely stems from the budget cuts. I find it funny that the author touts the efficiency of the VA, but it looks like efficiency for some is achieved by forsaking care for many others.