Disturbing article of how vets are forced to wait for VA Care

[beachmom]

http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/327488.html

Veterans with severe ailments face long waits for care

VA is struggling to meet needs

Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffering traumatic brain injury, grave wounds or serious illnesses often wait longer for outpatient appointments than the 30-day VA standard, according to an Observer analysis of two internal VA reports.

The analysis of 283,000 recent outpatient appointments showed that the VA scheduled 93 percent within 30 days, a key measure of the agency's ability to meet demand. That left 20,500 waiting longer.

At issue: Patients needing critical care accounted for 10.5 percent of total appointments scheduled, but 20 percent of those with longer waits.

The Observer's findings could signal that the VA is struggling to care for the neediest of the new veterans. Critics and veterans advocates say the system is overwhelmed, poorly managed and lacks medical specialists.

Go to the link to read the rest.

[BOSSHOG]

1. This is very hard to believe

Surely patriotic americans with conservative values who support the troops and love george bush would have tackled this issue years ago and solved it. Apparently they hate the troops.

[beachmom]

3. Except that the VA is a government healthcare program. That goes

against their ideology. God have mercy on us all, if they start spouting to "privatize the VA". Hopefully, all such efforts would fail.

[Ezlivin]

2. This is why you'll NEVER see a Bush photo-op at a VA Hospital

Besides, if he tried he'd be beaten to death with canes, crutches and prothesises.

Soldiers are naive; veterans aren't.

[Democrafty]

4. K & R. n.t.

[MH1]

5. "Critical Care" - some people might think those would get higher priority

But rationality is not a highlight of life under *.

[Luftmensch067]

6. k&r n/t

[ProSense]

7. "system is overwhelmed"

This is just the beginning, or continuation, of the tragic consequences of Bush's failed policies in Iraq and Afghanistan. The aftermath is going to be devastating.