My heart goes out to veterans, re Health Care

[CatWoman]

I'm recovering from a illness that had me laid up all last week.

I overcame my stubborness Wednesday and finally went to the doctor.

My first selection was the VA Hospital. I'm a disabled vet, and any treatment related to my disability is free. However, they were severely backed up and couldn't offer me an appointment until yesterday. If I elected to do a "walk-in" I was guaranteed to be there until 10 or 11 at night. Their pharmacy closes at 9, so I would have had to wait an additional day to get any prescriptions filled.

I was in so much pain that I decided to use my health insurance and go to my HMO.

I got in rather quickly and received prompt treatment. Only thing is my copayments for the visit and medication cost me around $50. I have a follow up on Monday that will cost an additional $15 for the visit, and any more prescriptions will cost about $10 - $12 more per item.

I say I feel bad for my fellow disabled vets because at least I had an alternative, even tho I had to pay. A lot of those guys not only don't have an alternative, the copayments for medicine is going up more and more by the day.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

1. In my opinion...

...the state of the VA hospitals is the best argument I have against nationalised healthcare in the US... unfortunately.

[CatWoman]

2. but it doesn't have to be that way

I've personally witnessed the deterioration of both service and availability.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

4. Yes, but the problem is...

...that whenever the Republicans are in power, they will intentionally turn nationalised healthcare into shit, in order to be able to point to its being shit as a reason for getting rid of it.

[0007]

11. In less than twenty four months, it has gotten pretty bad.

If it wasn't for my BlueCross BlueShield supplemental health insurance I'd be up shit creak without a paddle. And I'm on Medicare, so go figure! I get most of my meds at the VA hospital, and that's not good because they can't give a lot of the new meds, because they have a formulary pharmaceutical.

[CatWoman]

19. AGREED!!!!

like I said, I've personally witnessed the deterioration.

[0007]

21. I hope your feeling better!

[CatWoman]

22. Thanks, Doll

so much better. I had developed an infection and my foot swelled up three times its size. At one point, I could barely walk. They gave me a shot and I cried like a baby. LOL.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. I disagree

It's the best argument against legislators who seem to find enough money for useless wars that allow their profiteer buddies to loot the fed while fucking over vets

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

7. Yes, but...

...that argument is lost on most people. I'm convinced that the American people believe there is some sort of magical money pot from which all of this comes, that it's separate from their taxes, and that they're not beholden to it or responsible for it in any way.

[tokenlib]

10. Don't feed into the republican mind set...

The repukes have been SEEKING underfunding and understaffing of VA health care since Reagan. Clinton was able to stop the GOP leadership from making matters any worse. Since Bush the system has taken more hits from insufficient staffing and revenue.

To hear you say that the VA medical system is an object lesson to oppose National health insurance--is music to the GOP's ears.
If the system were funded and staffed adequately--things would be a lot better.

[Pinboy]

15. You're absolutely right...

Their continued underfunding creates problems that allow them to demonize the VA and characterize it as a welfare program. Ultimately, I think their objective is to privatize VA health care.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

28. Their ultimate objective is to destroy the federal government.

Under-funding is just one of the tools in their arsenal. Tax cuts are another. My point is that I really, really worry that they'd do to national healthcare exactly what they're doing to the VA. I know it's not the VA's fault. But do you really think that a GOP-dominated government would do right by any national healthcare system?

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

27. And my point again...

...is that the republicans would intentionally under-fund any national health system in order to demonstrate how bad national health care is. I still think it's as close to an ideal system as we'll ever get, but we need to be aware that they would dick around with it whenever they had the chance.

[tokenlib]

13. You can't blame the VA system...

..for understaffing and underfunding. The GOP leadership has been eroding the system SINCE Reagan. Clinton held back the worst impulses of the GOP..but now the need is greater and the funds and staff still get cut..

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

26. I'm not blaming the VA

They do what they can with limited funds. My point is that nationalised healthcare would be used as a tool of control whenever the GOP is in power.

[Joey Liberal]

5. I'm Afraid My Fellow Veterans Asked For This

I watched on C-SPAN as the Vietnam Veterans of America rallied on motorcycles in front of the White House in support of President Bush during the last election. I listened as their spokesman talked about what a great President Bush is, and how he has helped Veterans so much. So, I'm sorry, but I do not feel badly for my fellow Veterans, because so many of them voted for Bush and the republicans in Congress.

[CatWoman]

6. fucking shame, isn't it?

[Joey Liberal]

8. Yes, it is

And by the way, thank you for your service to this country, and may our fellow veterans get their heads out of their asses and quit voting republican. Otherwise, VA health care will NEVER improve.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. yep...you see lots of vet license plates with W stickers

[FreedomAngel82]

12. Has anybody tried to counterattack them?

Any other Veterans speak up about the health care they're getting? From what I've heard them being in the hospital can be pretty crappy.They have to pay a pretty pricy bill and pay for their own meals while they are there. :\ I hate how Bush is screwing them over so bad. Them and other armed forces such as firefighters and police. He claims to respect them and then turns around and does this crap. :grr: They are the one's who should be getting the tax cuts. Now Bush's buddies.

[Pinboy]

14. Vietnam Veterans of America is non-partisan...

It's a federally-chartered, tax-exempt veterans' service organization. That demo probably was a different group.

While many of our fellow and sister vets voted Bu$h, a lot of us voted for Kerry. W got 57% of the vet vote, a majority, but 43% went for Kerry. And more vets seem to be waking up now, after seeing how W's budget proposal screws them over.

[karynnj]

24. Wasn't Kerry involved with VVA with Bobby Muller in the 70s

after he left VVAW. It's sad that his committment to veterans was distorted by the swiftboat liars.

[LIBERALNAVYVET]

17. I'm A vet

and I'LL NEVER VOTE REPUBLICAN!!!!!!!!PERIOD.

[Pinboy]

18. Welcome to DU, LIBERALNAVYVET!

From one newbie to another.

[CatWoman]

20. and I'd like to extend a hearty welcome to both of you

:hi:

[0007]

23. How do you know they were Vietnam Vets?

The repukes had many tricks up their sleeves. I've yet to find a Korean war or a Vietnam that's for junior.

[Rowdyboy]

16. A major reason that the Bush's rule today is that veterans backed them

against their own self-interests. Same with the middle class who got a piddling tax cut that might but them a cheeseburger and a coke once a month, while the fat cats got fillet mignon and Dom Perignon EVERY night.

People must start voting for their own economic self-interest instead of side issues like abortion, gay-marriage and flag-burning. Vets and the middle class suffer from their own refusal to vote their pocketbooks.

[Elwood P Dowd]

25. I'm a Vet

US Army 1970-72. The other day in the mall parking lot I saw an old friend who is a disabled Vet. He is unemployed, so I'm pretty sure he has to use the VA. On the back of his truck was an American flag and two of those new post-election W stickers. Here is a man who needs the very social benefits and VA benefits Bush is gutting, yet he follows blindly along like a little trained animal being led to the slaughter.

Here is a Bush worshiping example even worse than the above. I have a sister that just started drawing Social Security. Her son is on Social Security Disability. She supports Bush's Social Security plan EVEN if it means reduced benefits for her and her son! She believes any and everything Bush says, has W stickers on her car, and even framed pictures of Bush in her house!