On August 3, an article written by Tom Philpott appeared in The Herald’s Business section (“VA chief deplores gaps in the care for disabled”). The article raised some very good questions about the role of health care from the Veteran’s Administration. Anthony Principi, current secretary of Veterans Affairs states that funding is not the problem – but the passage of a law in 1995 opened up the gates to all veterans – thereby limiting access to the combat disabled vets.
After spending ten years in the service and having a service-related disability, I have utilized the VA health care system on an intermittent basis for the past 20 years. There are a few observations that should be reiterated once again. The number of veterans is definitely declining as the number of people serving in the military has declined. Once you get into the VA, the level of care is excellent and fairly quick. A triage system would work well, based on severity of injury or ailment.
I went to the VA on July 31 after having called to make an appointment during the first half of March. This was the first opportunity to get in. That works out to a four and a half-month wait. While I was there (as every other time) I saw some vets who need a great deal of help.
I suggest that we revise the current system to take care of all combat service connected disabilities first, then all service connected disabilities, and finally all other vets. I have seen many that have earned that care, but there are always a few taking advantage of the system. Anything short of this is a disservice to the people who have served their country when needed.
Tim Bond
Marysville
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