Nice Post Sis.
You make the point well. I may not be reading the signs so well, but it appears to me that the VA's located in high retiree areas, Florida, Arizona, California...seem to be better staffed and funded along with the one near DC.
I would think this is due to the fact that the politicians really count on those votes and since there is a higher concentration of Vets...their's is the loudest voice heard.
Unfortunately that is not the case in NY. I've worked as a volunteer at our local VA. I know first hand how understaffed they are and how their budget is always getting cut. Here in Albany NY the VA hospital is staffed by volunteers at a rate of 75%. That means that only 25% are professionally trained personel. There are 4 wings off the main building and it rises up about 12 floors. That is a whole lot of building for that small percentage of professionals to cover. And if you need anything like an MRI they have to send you to a civilian hospital because they don't even have one on site. Simple things like PT are outsourced as well.
Gimpy I don't doubt that there have been some great advances in care over the years. But from what I have witnessed, if this is advancement, then I truly feel sorry for those who were subject to care at the VA even 20 years ago.
And I have yet to see any women patients at our local VA. I have a feeling that if I ever walked in there they would fall apart and not know what to do with me. I'll keep my PPO plan from work thank you.
DL
__________________
DL
?Whatever else history may say about me when I?m gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears; to your confidence rather than your doubts. My dream is that you will travel the road ahead with liberty?s lamp guiding your steps and opportunity?s arm steadying your way.?
President Ronald Reagan
|