Problems at the VA with transparency, efficiency
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A USA TODAY Network investigation revealed that for years, the Department of Veterans Affairs didn’t address misdeeds by staff members that put patients at risk.
Until our elected officials and all government employees have to use the VA for their health care, it will not change. The choice program is a joke. It’s not really a choice. Suzy Hurt
When you check in at the local VA, you’re slapped in the face with the inefficiency. You see three to four administrators with questionnaires, then you go get your vitals where they ask you even more personal questions. Then you may see a physician’s assistant or a nurse practitioner. And then, if they need to order a test, it’s just more waiting. Then the process starts over again. You may get to a real doctor in the next couple of visits, but you always have to wade through layers of red tape.
End this system and allow veterans to see the local doctor or medical professional. Matt Krutzfeldt
What you people call “layers of ridiculous bureaucracy,” I read as being thorough. Why wouldn’t you have tests ordered before you see a doctor? He’s going to order the tests before giving a diagnosis anyway. He may order another test, depending on the findings of the initial consult. But that’s just wanting to get it right. The pa- perwork could be streamlined and we could hire more doctors to reduce wait time, but the process seems sound. Cynthia Queen
Not all VA treatment facilities are bad. And that all parts of a poor performing VA center are not bad, either!
I use a VA center that was great in some areas and horrible in others! George Smith
Government is not fit to run any business. Eliminate the medical part of the VA, just give us veterans a special Veterans Medicare Card and let us go to any doctor or hospital we want. In the end, the service will be much better, the doctors and facilities much closer to home, wait times for appointments will be much shorter, and probably the cost will be cheaper. Sal Maggiore