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Return to Article: Veterans medical system faces serious funding, management challenges

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  We have seen that the private healthcare does not work well and the government run healthcare system has also failed in many countries that tried it. Private health insurance companies are unfair to sick people - sometimes people get disqualified because they have one of the million sicknesses listed in the pre-approval applications and those companies try to give insurance to healthier individuals because healthy individual = less doctor visits, less medications and less drug coverage = more profits for private health industry.

  I think what we need is cooperation between government and private insurance companies. I do not believe it is right to list million health preconditions as a qualification test for applicants and deny them healthcare. This is unfair and barbaric! Can you believe in 20th century America we can disqualify an American citizen from healthcare coverage because 5 years ago they had an emergency doctors visit? That's where the government should step in and redefine all rules for private healthcare companies. These companies should not be able to easily disqualify families for coverage and if they want to stay in the game they have to actively work with the people, not just push them away. I think the better model of such healthcare system is in Europe, where the doctors still get paid very well and every sick person can go to doctor and take care of the their medical needs.

  David Dzidzikashvili Posted December 20, 2008 11:52 AM
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  Fact is I see many veterans, not under c&p as walkins at my VA clinic, because they can't afford medical insurance, many are unemployed and aged. All served our country and deserve the health care. I think the VA needs seperate clinics for these veterans.

  They have to wait so long to see a doctor.

  The US military wait sending them to combat in WW-2, Vietnam , Korea and Iraq.

  If our government can find money to start wars and to defend against attacks on us, we can find the money to take care of a few million men and women who stood up and took the challenge. Our government waste more money on other things than supporting our veterans. I feel at this time in the history of our country, it should be the number one priority, or we won't have the dedicated few who will step up to protect our freedom and way of life. If no one steps foward, then we won't have anything else. It is what it is.

  Rob Posted January 19, 2008 9:56 AM
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  Ken Kizer was instrumental in restructuring VA, particularly in expanding Outpatient Care, and specializing care regionally. Today, with large numbers of returning OEF/OIF veterans, the VA is ill-prepared to handle this large new veteran population. The old funding model of begging to Congress does not work, as noted by the backlog of 600,000 disability claims. Patients are turned away routinely due to insufficient resources in clinics, told to come back later. This is not the way to treat our Veterans. Iraq/Afghanistan War have cost this country 1 trillion dollars and counting. The Veterans should get at least as much in return. Don't privatize. Fund the VA Properly!Mandatory Funding for VA is a good start.

  russell bennett Posted January 17, 2008 5:54 PM
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  Ask the question, "Who's really paying spokesman Kenneth Kizer's bills?" I don't believe this is a move made by an entirely altruistic group. I think this is a thinly disguised attempt to privatize the VA system or just make a whole bunch of money for bond traders, real estate developers and bankers. What happens when this new hospital system runs into financial trouble? Who picks up the bill when there are the inevitable cost overruns and unexpected expenses? It'll be you and me and every other taxpayer through our government. If this is such a great idea, why not let the private sector build it and finance it? They want government money and government guarantees. This newly proposed hospital system is like a stadium: We'll pay our tax money to somebody who's already rich to own and profit from this government built facility. And if they don't like it they'll ask for newer facilities so they can make more money.

  Alfred Molison Posted January 17, 2008 12:55 PM
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  Every large organization faces challenges in adapting to the ever-changing needs of it's customers. The VA is not exempt from this challenge. The VA currently has many experts in varrious disciplines which are always examining the current challenges in order to better meet the needs of our veteran populations served. I do not believe that creating another layer of buracacy is in the best interest of the veterans who rely on the services the VA provides. Perhaps the legislators could change some of the areas of the existing system that need adjusting instead.

  Michael Coulter Posted January 17, 2008 11:51 AM
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  If the democrats are successful in implementing universal health care, where will the doctors and nurses come from? There is a shortage of both right now. If you add 40-50 million persons to an already overburdend medical system, you can imagine how that will drive costs up, with the government (taxpayers) being stuck with the tab. Dr Kizer's predictions for escalating VA costs don't take into consideration that possibility. Think about the waits for emergency care, open appointments that will happen when a shortage is exacerbated by a much larger burden.

  Michael Bilcik Posted January 17, 2008 11:14 AM
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  Why would the Democrats running for office advocate universal health care which is government run, when they can not even properly fund the government run VA?

  As bad as the VA presently is, if somehow universal health care is elected in 2008, the VA will be worst than it was 20 years ago. Most local hospitals and medical clinics will be even worst off, because the total population of all Veterans is such a small minority of the total population in the US and the government still will not give us proper funding for medical care

  Pat Smith Posted January 17, 2008 9:34 AM
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  Given the congressional history of blocking changes services provided in their district the proposal to take the VA Medical System has some sound arguements in its favor. Unfortunately, it will take an act of congress to conversion, also an unlikey event. But we have a new and growing volume of veterans needing complicated and expensive medical treatment to sustain an to improve their lives.

  As a veteran of the last unpopular war, I fear that those who served and suffer injury in this war will be made to pay for the nations decisions and some backlash from those who object.

  Daniel M. Clawson Posted January 17, 2008 8:43 AM
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  The elements within the context of this writing touches on concerns which galvanize other concerns..which are all interrelated. For example, there is and will remain to be an influx of wartime Vets being served by VA Medical Centers. In actuality, the population of veterans being served/cared for is rapidly changing. Veterans in their earlier 20s-30s are frequenting the medical centers more and more as the war progress. in retrospect, the population currently being cared for is gradually changing. In addition, all federal agencies not only the VA is faced with the challenge of competing and recruiting "new" employees as the "baby boomers" are peparing for retirement. In spite of the eclectic and diverse changes often faced by the VA, it has always perservered with the sole intent to provide quality care for this country's veterans. Challenges, changes and the ability to respond to such factors is what has made the VA system excel at not only taking pride in and provide quality care for our veterans but also by setting a precedence. I am confident that the Dept. of Veteran Affairs will continue in its perpetual quest to provide quality healthcare and employee the best qualified applicants to assist with its missions and goals.

  timothy hart Posted January 17, 2008 8:01 AM
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  Why would the Democrats running for office advocate universal health care which is government run, when they can not even properly fund the government run VA? As bad as the VA presently is, if somehow universal health care is elected in 2008, the VA will be worst than it was 20 years ago. Most local hospitals and medical clinics will be even worst off, because the total population of all Veterans is such a small minority of the total population in the US and the government still will not give us proper funding for medical care.

  Pat Smith Posted January 17, 2008 7:51 AM
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  Will the President and the other politicians have to pay all these increases in fees too (since they get treated at military, Veterans clinics etc as well).

  In the end, not many veterans can afford 1000.00 a year, per year increases (from other federal information over this past week). So, get rid of 90 percent of the folks that cant afford it, and whats left? Mainly those on active duty (and their family members) and they dont have to pay yearly premiums..(alls they have to pay are the co pays). IF this idea, and other increases go through as Mr. Bush and Congress wants..Tricare and its clinics wont last 10 years (as no one will be paying or able to afford the yearly premiums or increases and active duty folks dont have to pay the yearly premiums till they retire). Only things that will be left are the VA. hospitals, if that.. Go ahead, close everything down veterans wise and let the rich and the politicans fight their own dirty battles in the next wars...

  sandra dorsey Posted January 17, 2008 5:03 AM