More than 300,000 veterans died waiting on VA health care

a reply to: DavDave

I avoid the VA, I have never once used it or tried to claim my benefits for disability....

We are just tools to them, they use us when expedient and forget about as soon as possible....

You guys on this thread seem mostly disgusted and defeated.

This issue calls for anger and impassioned activism. Wish I knew what to do to help. As earlier mentioned, I guess it's trying to vote people in who give a rat's derriere about Veterans, then hold their feet to the fire for accountability once they are elected.

It is really sad that congress and senate have time to try to get rid of obama care hundred of times, or in late weeks, even they know the answer and inability to prevent Iran nuclear agreement (where for a change we will diplamatically solve issue without destabilizing yet another country with possible new conflicts..), but when it comes to veterans, just lots of empty words... and not much done.

I remember listening this last summer, it really makes you think what would take for someone to really do something...

www.npr.org...

Sad, very sad and unacceptable...

originally posted by: Kali74
a reply to: DavDave

the Presidential Candidates Aren’t talking about Vet issues

I don't want to derail your thread but, Bernie Sanders is talking about vet issues.

Socialism destroys nations, Bernie can keep walking.

I would rather never be able to use my supposed benefits than watch socialism destroy the country I served to defend...

a reply to: DavDave

I don't want to be that guy, but the way I see it this country is garbage. Each and every single person who's taken an oath to protect our nation from its enemies has failed. I'll fight for you when you fight for me. Until then it seems we're on our own.

a reply to: Mikeymike66

I'll fight for you when you fight for me

Given the current situation, I really don't blame you for feeling that way.

originally posted by: TechniXcality
a reply to: DavDave

i have VA benefits, but i choose private insurance to maintain my well being. I almost died in a VA hospital in early 2011, from heart arrhythmia attributed to my injury..

don't have much to say, love my brothers and sisters, but here we are

Love you too brother!!

Shut can't always sick, it has to get better someday!!

service will vary from state to state.

if you are in a major metropolitan area, there is likely to be a VA hospital or clinic near by. but if you live in center capital of nowhere, population a couple of thousand people, then expect VA to be least accessible; you will have to drive sometimes really far to get there. logistically, it makes sense.


I live in OC, CA. there are VA hospitals and clinics 15 minutes and 40 minutes away.
The service and facilities at the Long Beach Hospital is really up there with the top hospitals in the country.

Also, i got out 8 months ago, been going to VA regularly for PT, and i had to tell at least 3 other guys (2 marines, one army vets who got out 3 years before me) that VA provides health care if they need it. they just didnt know. neither of them had signed up for health care until i showed them my card.

those who've been there know they just breeze through the information when you are processing out. the literature for benefits are compiled so chaotically, many newly vets are ill-informed on whats available and where to go, so of course this trickle down in years to come, these vets would not know in maybe 10 years down the line and finally go sign up until medical conditions began to deteriorate and manifest to the point where it may be too late.

The Health Care sign up should happen while being processed out! this way every vet know what is available and they are already in the system and dont have to go through the sometimes long process when they do it a a branch.

originally posted by: ladyinwaiting
I'd love to see something really pro-active. What seems to get TV coverage, and actual congressional attention at times, are protests and marches in D.C.

I would love to see thousands of veterans of all ages descend on Washington like angry bees! You all hopefully know you have (at least) the support of the public, and most of us are willing to put our money where our mouth is when it comes to taking care of our veterans.

If such a protest could ever be organized, I would do everything in my power to join in.

Lady, we get more help from civilian charities than we do the gov.

We know how most of you feel, and we did it for you guys happily.

At I least I did for my part!

a reply to: ladyinwaiting

Ok ladies, have we not realized agenda's are served regardless of parties, or are well still left thinking that folks actually represent their constituents?

Ideal thought, but hardly a reality, # is completely FUBAR. It's a mixture of so much, let me put it this way, there are reasons for most failures, then sometimes failures are completely happenstance, this is a part of our condition our everyday life.

A system of governance is a reflection of the governed, the truth is the 'right' thing does not fall within party lines, the right thing today may not always be right tomorrow, the party to align yourself with, is your own sovereign mind.

There isn't a hero being flashed before your eyes, most hero's are silent. Most liars are primadonnas, and the majority are liars.

originally posted by: ladyinwaiting
You guys on this thread seem mostly disgusted and defeated.

This issue calls for anger and impassioned activism. Wish I knew what to do to help. As earlier mentioned, I guess it's trying to vote people in who give a rat's derriere about Veterans, then hold their feet to the fire for accountability once they are elected.

Lady, we aren't defeated, but have you ever fought uphill against a never ending avalanche of bs and red tape???

There just comes a time when you have to admit, the time and labor involved aren't worth it.

Much easier to just get private insurance and let them fight the VA over your preexisting conditions...

Much easier, much less wasted time you can't ever get back...

My Dad was head of the Psychology Department at a VA Hospital for two decades. He loved the VA. He was a Vet too, and they paid for his education.

He died when GW Bush was President. I walked into his hospital room a couple of weeks before he passed away, and he was watching the news. He said "you were right about the Republicans, I'm done with them".

I jumped up in applause and asked 'what changed your mind'? And he said they were cutting Veterans benefits, and "we don't have to put up with that sht."

I hate admitting defeat, and I don't know what I'm going to do, but I'm going to do something. We don't have to and shouldn't have to put up with this sht. I am at least going to write an editorial for newspapers, and write my stupid-ass Republican congressmen. I can at least make a better effort.

originally posted by: ladyinwaiting
My Dad was head of the Psychology Department at a VA Hospital for two decades. He loved the VA. He was a Vet too, and they paid for his education.

He died when GW Bush was President. I walked into his hospital room a couple of weeks before he passed away, and he was watching the news. He said "you were right about the Republicans, I'm done with them".

I jumped up in applause and asked 'what changed your mind'? And he said they were cutting Veterans benefits, and "we don't have to put up with that sht."

I hate admitting defeat, and I don't know what I'm going to do, but I'm going to do something. We don't have to and shouldn't have to put up with this sht. I am at least going to write an editorial for newspapers, and write my stupid-ass Republican congressmen. I can at least make a better effort.

Why do you think the Dems are any better?

The Dems treat our vets much worse than the republicans so!

It should really have nothing to do with any political party. It is the responsibility of the office of the President of the United States, irregardless of affiliation. He is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and has the responsibility of making sure that everyone in the military has the health care they deserve, and certainly earned, fighting for this country.

It is an abomination, and shows total dis-respect for all those that have put themselves in harms way.
I am a Vet, and I am besides myself pissed off about it. How can any leader in the Federal Government hold their head up, while this continues?

Who ever becomes the new POTUS, should only be elected if they commit themselves to, and have the ability, to totally dismantle the existing VA and rebuild it with a system that WORKS. Another way, would be to keep the VA dismantled, and outsource everything to the private sector. Issue every soldier a card where they pay NOTHING for any service they need that relates to their past and present activity as a soldier. That kind of solution takes the stupid politics right out of the equation.

originally posted by: johnwick
Why do you think the Dems are any better?

The Dems treat our vets much worse than the republicans so!

Care to provide some evidence to this claim???

Also, while you at it, can you please explain who overwhelmingly at the moment would rather have military operations rather then agreement without conflict?! (Talking about nuclear deal with Iran)

Those vets served the country, country should be taking care of them, no matter who is president... And in my opinion, vets should be able to go to any doctor, and country should pick a tab...

originally posted by: DavDave

originally posted by: Kali74
a reply to: DavDave

the Presidential Candidates Aren’t talking about Vet issues

I don't want to derail your thread but, Bernie Sanders is talking about vet issues.

That's because he's on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs... so he known about our problems but he hasn't done much to solve them either.

yeah, blame this on one independent senator rather than the republican majorities in the senate and house....sounds about right...

originally posted by: SuperFrog

originally posted by: johnwick
Why do you think the Dems are any better?

The Dems treat our vets much worse than the republicans so!

Care to provide some evidence to this claim???

Also, while you at it, can you please explain who overwhelmingly at the moment would rather have military operations rather then agreement without conflict?! (Talking about nuclear deal with Iran)

Those vets served the country, country should be taking care of them, no matter who is president... And in my opinion, vets should be able to go to any doctor, and country should pick a tab...

As to the supposed Iran nuclear deal the Dems idiot in chief is making.... It is not a deal at all, it guarantees Iran gets a nuke, that is not a deal, that is a capitulation!!!

Full on giving everything away and getting absolutely nothing in return, nothing, not one thing, period at all, in return.

Iran hit the lottery with the worst president in US history.

They get the sanctions dropped, and get to do whatever they want, without guaranteed inspections, and in return, they do nothing but keep doing what they were doing.....


Can't link from my phone, at, try google!

Here is a link to the 2016 VA Budget Request... LINK

There is, interestingly, a new push for funding on technology to upgrade all the backlog.

I would also like to offer that the city I'm in has excellent VA care - I've heard this from a bunch of people, so its not a scientific study or anything, but word-of-mouth.

It is a system that SHOULD be top-notch highest quality for physical, mental/emotional health of our Veterans. I wonder how much Congress allows things to break so that their Team can get the Presidency on how badly things are broken.


To all the Veterans on this thread: You deserve the best. You deserve quality employment, health care, and if needed, housing opportunities. Our country is failing you. Our Congress is failing you - they have the power of the purse-strings. Know that you are not alone.

- AB

a reply to: charlyv

The President can propose legislation, or veto legislation, but Congress must create it and approve it AND fund it. I think Congress likes to blame everything on whomever is the President, but really, they are not doing their job.

I agree it is a travesty. There is no excuse.

- AB

a reply to: DavDave

It is a scandal Dave. And to rub salt into the wound (almost literally) Retired Flag Officers have been appointed to take care of this problem and even they cannot break the code. Guys who should understand the problems better than some bureaucrat so I can only conclude it is Congress who is to blame. I have corresponded with my representatives, called their offices but get nothing but excuses. One guy told me he had proposed legislation and the issue I was calling about (Tri-Care) would be grandfathered, that the changes would start affecting veterans who enlisted after the changes proposed. Turns out he lied. Flat out lied to me. We gave them our lives and sacrificed much and they change the rules on us at a whim. It is a scandal and no one will make it a cause.

There is such a high number of Veterans, Politicians love to play to them in their campaign speeches. Everybody cheers like crazy and waves the flag and then when they get elected.....crickets. We only get mentioned and noticed during an election cycle. And whichever poster said in his/her post that we must take control and storm Washington DC to demand change probably has it right. People in Congress cannot make anything happen it seems. They are ideas people, a label you DO NOT want assigned to you if you work in an organization. It is as much as saying you can think of things but do not have the ability to get those ideas done. People in Congress are in that category and that is why I am not voting for President anyone who has not been at least a Governor. Or who has not run a multi-national corporation. (Not Trump by the way).

No Veterans group is able to contribute enough money to a campaign to get any attention when the election is complete. That is the problem with almost every politician.