Well said Alison. As a former VA surgeon, now called a provider, I understand the particular needs of our veterans and care that VA hospitals and clinics can most properly provide. During my time at the West Roxbury VA Hospital we were the New England VA spinal cord injury center providing interdisciplinary care that no private institution in New England could provide. Our nurses and technicians, who were paid well below market rates were world class in both ability and dedication. The veterans who worked and volunteered at our hospital and clinic were essential, compassionate and passionate about their work. Additionally, my first four months at West Roxbury I and my staff were able to get clinic wait times down from 4 months to less than six weeks with cancer patients - think agent orange victims - to nearly 48 hours. As Lincoln wished, those who served and suffered while in harms way deserve the best possible care - not a hand wave or the need to fight another battle just to obtain the medical, surgical and psychological care they were promised. God bless you and all our veterans and current warriors.
🙏thank you, doc and also your fellow medical staff
I am retired health care administrator (board certified) so I know about health care delivery. I am also a public health grad.
My husband is neurologically disabled by agent orange. He finally got his benefits approved 55 years after his discharge. (Yes 55 years, thank you John Stewart)
He gets most of his care from VISN8 facility. His primary care doc is superior. Overall, services are excellent, expeditious, caring. (His facility gets low grade from HHS, but this is inconsistent with what satisfied local vets tell me.)
Not all VISNs are as well run as VISN8, but improving performance with established CQI methods is the place to start.
These vets are high need & high resource utilizers due to documented & real service related problems. As they age, chronic disease compounds other disabilities.
Reorganizing & changing the care model is not the way to go. IT AIN’T BROKE. IT IS NOT A BUSINESS!
VA needs resources & leadership, not MAGA know-it-all billionaires with trumpian politics. Our soldiers will still be here when trump sycophants are long gone. Plan accordingly.
I’m always raving about my allergist/immunologist at West Roxbury. The best! He’s a Harvard professor and works at Dana Faber and MGH/Brigham. I would have never found him if it weren’t for the VA.
I'm a VA RN 25yrs of service. They sent us the "fork" letter at my VA Hospital, I asked more questions, then declined immediately. If I'm not working for the VA but am still on the payroll, that means I'm working for tRump & Leon, IMO. I work for Veterans, not the tangerine tyrant. I was an Army Brat, we traveled. We lived in Germany for 3 years. The German citizens overall Hated the Nazis, & hate them now. Long story short, I personally know not one RN who took the resign option. Not one. Most Fed people see that the fork letter as just a tool to divert Fed employees to tRumps sycophant workforce, & to collapse US govt workforce infrastructure. He hates Veterans, he hates the United States. This is a coup. He wants to hold hands with putin.
WHEW!!! This guy's a MONSTER! Don't know why the media has pretty much ignored him. I know that there are a lot of bigger fish to fry us, but this is really serious!
I just read it (Air Force veteran) and I had the same reactions you did. "Choice" means "privatize" of course. I use the health care services quite a lot, and I'm scared.
This was helpful. The breakdown. Not the message from the POS. I'm worried about my brothers and sisters in arms. It's going to get so much worse. 😩 Seek out community.
As a disabled veteran and retired VA employee, I agree. Collins and the Republicans can talk a good game with their support of the troops and veterans. Words are only that, what are their actions? Stand strong and hold them accountable.
2-the private sector can’t just absorb more patients - wait times in private sector are months. Doctors overworked-can only spend 3 minutes with patients - can’t to complex without massive referrals to several specialist
3-Va does a huge amount of research that advance treatments for veteran diseases- Denmark developed Ozempic but the receptor target for Ozempic was discovered at the VA - VA had developed almost as much therapies as NIH with much smaller budget
4-the veteran population is older than civilian populations & needs more care
"Can't take this on." I'll reword that slightly: "WON'T take this on." So veterans have to wait a years, or two, for care? So what. "Research"? Who cares? (Don't forget: the shut down the NIH -- THE premiere national center for research.) PRIVATIZING DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH PROVIDING CARE.
Wow. 🤯 These guys just keep flooding the zone with more and more outlandish stuff. It makes it really hard to respond to any of it. It’s a propaganda ploy to make us want to keep our heads down and let them do whatever. TY for letting us know what’s happening to our beloved and honored vets. My head is NOT down.
I'm thinking, "This dude was chosen by the guy who lies to everyone and has the worst character references in the history of America." So, yeah, no thanks. We cannot trust anything this asshat says, and the VA, and the Americans its supports, could be in big trouble. I've never gone to the VA, having escaped into retirement unscathed. Maybe I should have, but I never did. Hoping for the best for those folks who rely on the VA, and we need to stay away of how things proceed so we'll know how we should. Thanks for putting that all out there. I think your comments are on the money.
That's absolutely disgusting!!! You, our veterans deserve so much better!!! Both of my grandfathers andthe brothers of one, served our beautiful and once proud country in WWII. One was a Captain in the Medical Corps., the other, a Lt. Colonel in the Engineer Corps. If I werent disabled, I might have joined, too. I have great respect and admiration for ALL of our military service members, and am disgusted and appalled at the crap this regime is pulling. Stay strong and be blessed.
Seems foolish to me to tick off the people who are trained how to use violence effectively for a living... I'm not a veteran, but I'd be so offended I'd feel like I'd need to take back my personal agency.
You sure you wanna put that kind of target on your own back, bucko? Seems... 🤔 unwise.
But again, am not a veteran, it just seems like a logical question.
Well said Alison. As a former VA surgeon, now called a provider, I understand the particular needs of our veterans and care that VA hospitals and clinics can most properly provide. During my time at the West Roxbury VA Hospital we were the New England VA spinal cord injury center providing interdisciplinary care that no private institution in New England could provide. Our nurses and technicians, who were paid well below market rates were world class in both ability and dedication. The veterans who worked and volunteered at our hospital and clinic were essential, compassionate and passionate about their work. Additionally, my first four months at West Roxbury I and my staff were able to get clinic wait times down from 4 months to less than six weeks with cancer patients - think agent orange victims - to nearly 48 hours. As Lincoln wished, those who served and suffered while in harms way deserve the best possible care - not a hand wave or the need to fight another battle just to obtain the medical, surgical and psychological care they were promised. God bless you and all our veterans and current warriors.
🙏thank you, doc and also your fellow medical staff
I am retired health care administrator (board certified) so I know about health care delivery. I am also a public health grad.
My husband is neurologically disabled by agent orange. He finally got his benefits approved 55 years after his discharge. (Yes 55 years, thank you John Stewart)
He gets most of his care from VISN8 facility. His primary care doc is superior. Overall, services are excellent, expeditious, caring. (His facility gets low grade from HHS, but this is inconsistent with what satisfied local vets tell me.)
Not all VISNs are as well run as VISN8, but improving performance with established CQI methods is the place to start.
These vets are high need & high resource utilizers due to documented & real service related problems. As they age, chronic disease compounds other disabilities.
Reorganizing & changing the care model is not the way to go. IT AIN’T BROKE. IT IS NOT A BUSINESS!
VA needs resources & leadership, not MAGA know-it-all billionaires with trumpian politics. Our soldiers will still be here when trump sycophants are long gone. Plan accordingly.
Thank you Dr. for your dedication 💙
I’m always raving about my allergist/immunologist at West Roxbury. The best! He’s a Harvard professor and works at Dana Faber and MGH/Brigham. I would have never found him if it weren’t for the VA.
As did I
My PCP is at West Rox. Love it!!!
Thank you!
And 22 Democrats voted for this piece of shit. Way to go! I’m still pissed about it.
Agree. I just laid into 3 of them today. Told them their careers in politics are done.
They are clueless about how VA healthcare works
I'm a VA RN 25yrs of service. They sent us the "fork" letter at my VA Hospital, I asked more questions, then declined immediately. If I'm not working for the VA but am still on the payroll, that means I'm working for tRump & Leon, IMO. I work for Veterans, not the tangerine tyrant. I was an Army Brat, we traveled. We lived in Germany for 3 years. The German citizens overall Hated the Nazis, & hate them now. Long story short, I personally know not one RN who took the resign option. Not one. Most Fed people see that the fork letter as just a tool to divert Fed employees to tRumps sycophant workforce, & to collapse US govt workforce infrastructure. He hates Veterans, he hates the United States. This is a coup. He wants to hold hands with putin.
Bless you all!
I'm glad my dad isn't here to see this bullshit. He was a Vietnam Vet who did 3 tours while Twitler sat home, hiding. 🤬🤬
Doug Collins is a freaking Chaplain and he lies like that. Unbelievable.
!!! I didn't know that !!!
If you haven't already, look it up. I just wonder how much money he is getting paid with all the double and triple dipping he is doing.
I will look it up. I've kept up with as many of the new federal criminals, but this guy slipped past me, somehow. Thanks.
WHEW!!! This guy's a MONSTER! Don't know why the media has pretty much ignored him. I know that there are a lot of bigger fish to fry us, but this is really serious!
I just read it (Air Force veteran) and I had the same reactions you did. "Choice" means "privatize" of course. I use the health care services quite a lot, and I'm scared.
I’m scared too, but I can say that we are not going to let you fall. 💙💪https://www.youtube.com/live/AME278Wj-NU?feature=shared
I am so sorry AG. I knew you were expecting it, but it doesn’t make it any less painful or traumatic.
Republican wet dream for 40 years has been, when confronted with an issue or problem: “How can I make a buck offa this?” PRIVATIZE!!
This was helpful. The breakdown. Not the message from the POS. I'm worried about my brothers and sisters in arms. It's going to get so much worse. 😩 Seek out community.
As a disabled veteran and retired VA employee, I agree. Collins and the Republicans can talk a good game with their support of the troops and veterans. Words are only that, what are their actions? Stand strong and hold them accountable.
The current private sector can’t take on this
1-Veterans have unique need
2-the private sector can’t just absorb more patients - wait times in private sector are months. Doctors overworked-can only spend 3 minutes with patients - can’t to complex without massive referrals to several specialist
3-Va does a huge amount of research that advance treatments for veteran diseases- Denmark developed Ozempic but the receptor target for Ozempic was discovered at the VA - VA had developed almost as much therapies as NIH with much smaller budget
4-the veteran population is older than civilian populations & needs more care
"Can't take this on." I'll reword that slightly: "WON'T take this on." So veterans have to wait a years, or two, for care? So what. "Research"? Who cares? (Don't forget: the shut down the NIH -- THE premiere national center for research.) PRIVATIZING DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH PROVIDING CARE.
Take to the streets! A million vets will go with you. Stay strong Brother.👊
And millions more civilians will join you.
Wow. 🤯 These guys just keep flooding the zone with more and more outlandish stuff. It makes it really hard to respond to any of it. It’s a propaganda ploy to make us want to keep our heads down and let them do whatever. TY for letting us know what’s happening to our beloved and honored vets. My head is NOT down.
This female Army veteran thanks you for reading between the lines. Great take.
I'm thinking, "This dude was chosen by the guy who lies to everyone and has the worst character references in the history of America." So, yeah, no thanks. We cannot trust anything this asshat says, and the VA, and the Americans its supports, could be in big trouble. I've never gone to the VA, having escaped into retirement unscathed. Maybe I should have, but I never did. Hoping for the best for those folks who rely on the VA, and we need to stay away of how things proceed so we'll know how we should. Thanks for putting that all out there. I think your comments are on the money.
That's absolutely disgusting!!! You, our veterans deserve so much better!!! Both of my grandfathers andthe brothers of one, served our beautiful and once proud country in WWII. One was a Captain in the Medical Corps., the other, a Lt. Colonel in the Engineer Corps. If I werent disabled, I might have joined, too. I have great respect and admiration for ALL of our military service members, and am disgusted and appalled at the crap this regime is pulling. Stay strong and be blessed.
Trump has no respect for Veterans. Never has, never will.
Seems foolish to me to tick off the people who are trained how to use violence effectively for a living... I'm not a veteran, but I'd be so offended I'd feel like I'd need to take back my personal agency.
You sure you wanna put that kind of target on your own back, bucko? Seems... 🤔 unwise.
But again, am not a veteran, it just seems like a logical question.