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usually, I can make the drive, even the times I had to go to the emergency room.
A heart attack would be a big problem, and the VA might pay for local ER treatment, but if I broke my leg, I'm not sure they would pick up the local ambulance and ER tabs. The rules are a bit fuzzy.
I'm not complaining about the VA, much, anyway, and they have mostly done me right. But, the day I fell and got a big gash on my head, they threw me out of the local clinic and I drove to the VA ER 60 miles away. Did a great job stitching me up when I got there, but if I couldn't drive or beg a ride, how would I have gotten there?
Same thing when a cataract surgery caused some real problems. I couldn't see in the sunlight so managed to drive to the ER at 3 AM 'cause there were no other options.
I've got some friends and family here who can drive me, but they're not always available to kill a whole day at a moment's notice. There's also the DAV van, but you have to make an appointment in advance so they can find a volunteer driver, and it doesn't run in the afternoon.
There are trains and buses, but nothing direct and the connections are flaky. The trip by bus or train is at least two hours, often more.
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