Veterans' Health Care & Benefits

Three years ago I did not think about the VA hospital that is a mere 15 minutes away, or the veteran's benefits available there. I was aware of it's existence, of course, but I never gave a thought to what went on there, or how it got done. I knew that my tax dollars went to help support veteran's and the hospital's many programs and I knew that both my husband and I, as vets, were eligible to go there if we needed medical help. That was all I knew, and like many of you, I was content with that.

Fast forward. Today I know much more about the VA than I want to or ever thought I would. I spend a portion of my weeks down there with my husband trying to take care of his medical issues. His service related medical issues. During those hours I have seen some amazing people and heard some amazing stories. Most of all, I have been frustrated by the lack of funding and personnel to take care of the military men and women who faithfully served. I want to share some of what I have seen, not just our story but the other stories there because people in the United States need to be aware of what is, or is not happening. These men and women have given of themselves for a freedom that all too often we take for granted and yet it takes an average of 2 years for them to get rated for disability and start receiving payment. It takes an average of 6 months to get into a specialized clinic like orthopedics. And, when a suspicious spot was found on my own mammogram the followup sonogram was scheduled a full two months later.

Two months. Two months of a potential cancerous condition growing and gaining a foothold. In the civilian hospital breast cancer is treated more seriously. A questionable mammogram will get you a sonogram within days.

In my husband's case he was medically retired from the Marine Corps in 1981. He got out with a disability but because of some red tape and misplaced paperwork he was never paid. Not once. We fought for awhile and then let it go, chalking it up to government. Well, apparently the VA owes us 26 years of back disability. They know it, we know it and for 20 months we have pursued getting it. We have gotten senators and congressmen involved. The ratings boards are so backlogged that it is ridiculous. Everyone is overwhelmed it seems.

So how is the Veteran's Administration Hospital handling the millions of men and women that need health care? Very slowly. The primary care physicians are most concerned with making the patient comfortable as they wait for the specialists to be able to see them. This often means, as in my husband's case, large doses of narcotic painkillers for extended periods of time. For alot of our veteran's the problem could be fixed by a routine surgery but because the Veteran's Administration is limited in their ability to contract with private medical facilities and staff the veteran must wait months and even years for simple surgeries like knee replacements. Months and years on addictive pain-killers. An addiction to narcotics is a difficult thing to live with bith mentally and emotionally and it will drag you down. That's o.k..the Veteran's Administration can then put you on anti-depressants and get you into counseling to deal with it.

Since the VA Hospitals are not everywhere many veterans must drive long distances to a medical facility. They are reimbursed for this at 11 cents a mile. 11 cents. The reimbursement rate for federal employees is 48 cents per mile, over 4 times as much.

Funding is the issue. As I talked with a staff member at my local VA Hospital yesterday he said that staff is overwhelmed with the needs and becomes almost calloused. Because there are such shortages staff members that are not doing their jobs effectively do not get fired. Who, he asked me with a sad smile, would take their place?

In Texas and other states that border Mexico we have a large community of illegal aliens. These men and women, and their families, have access to timely, free healthcare supported by our tax dollars. Do our veterans deserve less?

If you are a vet, or the family member of one and you are finding yourself nodding to these words know that you are truly not alone! The hardest thing in struggling through the red tape is the overwhelming feeling of isolation and that no-one cares. Reach out to others as you wait for your appointments, talk to them. Over a period of time you will find that many of the same people come on the same days that you do. As you get to know each-other and share stories there is a support group created that, while not changing circumstances, will strengthen you emotionally.

Here are some other things you can do:

1. Research your ailment and the medications that you are taking. Know what the side effects are, what the dosages are, and the long term prognosis for what you have been diagnosed with. The more you know the better equipped you are to speak to your doctor and ask questions.

2. Keep a HIGH profile. Don't be afraid to ask for another appointment, or another opinion, or for the doctor to explain something more thoroughly. The Physicians at our VA Hospital have about 20 minutes allotted per patient. They will literally tell you your time is up. Make sure that they are listening to you and understand your questions.

3. Write it down! Make notes on the questions you want to ask so you can go through them quickly and succinctly. Make note of the answers that the doctor gives.

4. Don't give up! Sometimes you have to be continuous and firm ..keep asking for that appointment or that test you feel you need.

5. Have a family member with you if at all possible

6. Expect to spend the day

7. Take change. When you are there all day those coke machines start calling to you.

8. If you are getting put off contact the patient advocate at the hospital

9. If you are getting put off contact your local congressman and senator and ask for an inquiry.

10. Be persistent as long as it takes.

11. If you disagree with your rating protest it.

12. If you need more help contact the various veteran's organizations; Disabled American Vets, Swords to Plowshares, etc. Don't give up.

Most of all, thank you. Thank you for your service, your dedication and your sacrifice.

If you want to help good for you! There are many ways to do just that.

1. Go to the nearest Veteran's Administration Hospital and Volunteer. You can work in many areas of the hospital to make a real difference in the lives of these men and women.

2. The VA accepts monetary donation, gift cards, etc.

3.You can help provide transportation to vets that live in remote areas.

4. You can get together a corporate volunteer program at work and the VA can work with your company to tailor a program to benefit the veterans

5. Family volunteer programs allow your whole family to be involved! You can visit, read to, play a checkers game with, or just write a letter to a veteran. It will make his/her day.

6. What about a youth group or church group? Contact the chaplain and see what might be needed. The chaplains are as overwhelmed as everyone else.

As we take into consideration of our veterans we let them know that they are still valued, they are not forgotten. If you are skeptical of the truth of these words I challenge you to sit at one of the VA hospitals for a few hours. You will be changed.

Just by being aware of what is going on will make a difference. You can help with your words, with your time, with your letters, and with your compassion. Make sure that those around you are aware of the situation. Public outcry creates change in our country because men and women fought valiantly for that change. Fight for them, now. Thank you!