Waaaaaay off- topic... VA experience

[mpiersd]

Originally Posted by Spartan01

He is the one who instituted the colossally STUPID idea of giving everyone a beret.

First of all, traditionally, at least in the US military, the beret meant some kind of distinction of elite status, i.e. Green for Special forces, Black for Rangers, maroon for Airborne, Red for Air Force Combat Control.

So, then why break with tradition and give everyone a beret?
They look so stupid if everyone has them.
They require maintenance and form fitting.
They don't keep you warm.
Almost every pi$$ant army all over the globe, including the Iraqi's wears a beret-
see how dumb they look unless only a select few get them?

But, but, EVERYBODY GETS A TROPHY!!

I hated the switch to Berets. I wish they would get rid of it completely and just have it for the elite's.
But I really only have to wear mine once or twice more before my retirement.

[Spartan01]

Originally Posted by MagnumForceGB

See if you can contact your representatives, if they can get free TV time they will shine a light on that manager which is what Feds hate.

The VA hospital in Oklahoma City is actually good finally, the only wait time I have now is 3 months for a Retina specialist for my eyes. Seeing primary care last time only took 2 weeks, huge improvement over the 2 months a few years ago.

Still haven't figured out if these cards they sent us can be used in emergency rooms though.

You can use them at any VA emergency room.
In fact that's about the only way to get anything done-
a piece of advice- go around 10pm to midnight, they ER is usually less active and it only takes a few hours.

According to a letter the VA sent me, you can also use it at a non VA ER,
BUT
the condition HAS to be service connected, and it has to be life threatening to the point that transportation to a VA hospital would have resulted in death or serious injury, and that the non-VA hospital was the closest option.
Still, I found this out the hard way;
I have a lot of nerve damage from multiple hernia repairs (service-connected.)
I had a kidney stone in 2006, but thought it was a hernia rupture.
I went into shock and nearly died.
The ER doc admitted this,
The VA still refused to pay.
Cost me 2300 out of pocket.

[MagnumForceGB]

Originally Posted by Spartan01

You can use them at any VA emergency room.
In fact that's about the only way to get anything done-
a piece of advice- go around 10pm to midnight, they ER is usually less active and it only takes a few hours.

According to a letter the VA sent me, you can also use it at a non VA ER,
BUT
the condition HAS to be service connected, and it has to be life threatening to the point that transportation to a VA hospital would have resulted in death or serious injury, and that the non-VA hospital was the closest option.
Still, I found this out the hard way;
I have a lot of nerve damage from multiple hernia repairs (service-connected.)
I had a kidney stone in 2006, but thought it was a hernia rupture.
I went into shock and nearly died.
The ER doc admitted this,
The VA still refused to pay.
Cost me 2300 out of pocket.

Thanks for the info, sounds like the cards were some politicians feel good fix.

[Spartan01]

On the plus side, the card is now recognized as a federal ID.
It didn't used to be. Used to pi$$ me off when I'd try to get on base and the MP's/Civilian LE's would act like I hadn't earned that card.

[Blk-Ice]

Originally Posted by Spartan01

Yeah he was an A$$!
He is the one who instituted the collosally STUPID idea of giving everyone a beret.

First of all, traditionally, at least in the US military, the beret meant some kind of distinction of elite status, i.e. Green for Special forces, Black for Rangers, maroon for Airborne, Red for Air Force Combat Control.

So, then why break with tradition and give everyone a beret?
They look so stupid if everyone has them.
They require maintenance and form fitting.
They don't keep you warm.
Almost every pi$$ant army all over the globe, including the Iraqi's wears a beret-
see how dumb they look unless only a select few get them?

I agree with you totally because I was one of those "Select" that actually had to earn my beret.....most of us wanted to smack Tha dog $hit out of him for that a$$ed up decision!!!!

[BDBiker]

Guys I used to volunteer my dental services at the VA in Memphis and I can't begin to tell you how much it pissed me off to be told what I could or could not do for my patients. I got my butt chewed on a regular basis for providing MORE care than I was supposed to deliver. My standard response was 'Fire Me' since I was working totally for FREE, what could they do?

I have told the story of the injustice that our veterans receive at the hands of the VA for years and it doesn't sound like there has been improvement in the VA system since I was volunteering.

Contrast this to me volunteering at the Memphis Correctional System, where the absolute scum of society received free comprehensive dental care at taxpayer expense with NO restrictions. At the time that I was working there, the 'inmates' were treated FAR BETTER than I was allowed to treat our veterans at the VA.

To those of you who have served, I thank you for your service! I also am very unhappy with our current 'affordable health care'. Denial of care is a big part of making care affordable. We can only hope that the next election helps to straighten things out.

[Todd in Vancouver]

Its a universal thing in how veterans are treated and as a non military person it still boils my blood. While healthcare is not a service we worry about as Canadains the way we treat our Vets when they return broken from fighting for our country is just appalling. The issue is there is no profit in it for politicians so it gets shuffled to the back burner. They love to get a photo-op when govt. Money is spent on new planes trucks or other toys but nothing when it comes to pensions and care for our retired Vets. We've had protests in my town in front of our gov. reps office asking when is he going to stand up and make sure our Vets are going to be looked after? He actually ducked his office for the day so he didn't have to address a crowd of angry locals. Make this a issue when you have local elections of you govt. reps and hold their feet to the flames. Its the only way to effect change.

OP, hope you got looked after. Come for a visit, we look after all who come in to our system and as most already know our health care is some of the best in the world and you only pay what you can afford.

[Scalded Dog]

Originally Posted by BDBiker

Guys I used to volunteer my dental services at the VA in Memphis and I can't begin to tell you how much it pissed me off to be told what I could or could not do for my patients. I got my butt chewed on a regular basis for providing MORE care than I was supposed to deliver. My standard response was 'Fire Me' since I was working totally for FREE, what could they do?

I have told the story of the injustice that our veterans receive at the hands of the VA for years and it doesn't sound like there has been improvement in the VA system since I was volunteering.

Contrast this to me volunteering at the Memphis Correctional System, where the absolute scum of society received free comprehensive dental care at taxpayer expense with NO restrictions. At the time that I was working there, the 'inmates' were treated FAR BETTER than I was allowed to treat our veterans at the VA.

To those of you who have served, I thank you for your service! I also am very unhappy with our current 'affordable health care'. Denial of care is a big part of making care affordable. We can only hope that the next election helps to straighten things out.

BDBiker, it's not clear whether or not you ever wore a military uniform or not, but regardless, it is clear that you, too, have served. Thank- you for YOUR service!