Medical Malpractice

Why is it that VA hospitals get such a bad rap?

One and a half weeks ago, my husband had a stroke. We have no insurance, but my husband is a Vet, so I took him to the VA. I was very impressed with the care that he got. These people were absolutly great, and the level of care he got was much better than any that is available in private hospitals. I have a great deal of experience in this, having worked in hospitals for a large portion of my life. I havn't seen such thorough care of a stroke victim since the 70's, before DRG's, which are the allowable days of hospitalization for any given illness, without regard for the patient. Patients really don't matter much in private hospitals any more, and he did at the VA. I was impressed. I think that the VA is a tremendous gift, and the people who work there are wonderful.

Public Comments

1. As with any group there are a few bad apples that ruin it for everyone. There have been accounts of VA hospitals refusing treatment or taking the cheaper route thus causing people problems. I think the VA hospitals are great but there are a few that have done things to taint the reputation of them on a whole. (i get VA benefits on account of my dad being in the vietnam war which caused my disability)
2. The VA system is the best in the country, they take very good care of vets. Do not confuse the VA system and the Army or Navy System (Walter Reed) where most of the problems a year ago were found. These are two different systems and the care is much different, in fact they are hadled by completely different agencies of the government. The VA is managed by the department of veteran's affairs. The Army and Navy are managed by the pentagon and the department of defense.
3. They have a monumental job to perform and because we are at war every time something negative happens in the VA it is used a propaganda against Mr Bush and the administration. The VA does need some improvement but they do an excellent job on a daily basis.. If our administration did not plan or anticipate all these injuries then how can the VA expect to be ready for them..
4. They have improved a great deal since the 70,s. They have had a lot of bad press over the years and some of it rightfully deserved. But all in all they are as good, if not better than a lot of private hospitals.
5. I'm a Korean War vet, and I have to say that the treatment I get at the V.A. Hospital is top-of-the-line. They have treated me like I was a member of their own family. I think that they have been under-funded , particularly for the PTSD and brain-injured cases that are coming back from Iraq. Since Sen. McCain refuses to support a new Veteran's Bill of Rights for the recent vets, I just hope we can get a Democrat as President who will try at least to fully fund the V.A. They are THE BEST !!!!
6. maryjell... I have worked with Disabled Veterans for 30 years as a VSO...your husbands treatment was not the Norm... Could give you a list of Veterans that were sent home from the VA with Heart problems... Just to die on their Front steps,kitchen floor Driving the next day... Can give you another list of... Rapes/Murders/Man Slaughter/Assualts on Veterans by care givers of the VA... and I am only taking about VISN II... The VA has not replaced any Proffesionals that have Retired or Left the VA in years... Most RN's at the VA are in Admin positions with NO Patient contact... LPN's do most of the RN's work...