Veteran Quality of Medical Care

What is the truth about veteran quality of care?

Harvard Opinion Research Program at the Harvard School of Public Health and Harris Interactive have released poll information regarding American views of V.A. quality of care.

This is what they found: "Americans who have a close family member who is serving or has served in the military are just as likely as Americans with no military connection to say that wounded Iraq veterans do not receive high quality care in military and VA hospitals (64% versus 59%). These Americans with a military connection are slightly more likely than other Americans to say Iraq veterans do not receive high quality rehabilitation (65% versus 57%) and mental health care (68% versus 61%)."

As a former health care provider and veteran who has received medical services- this is my take.
The V.A. is underfunded and understaffed. There are a percentage of medical providers that very much care about the veterans they treat but on the average- medical providers tend to act as if they're overwhelmed, frustrated, and I personally, tend to feel like one more number.

Female veterans are likely to receive a lesser quality of care verses male veterans. The V. A., for all their political front line has yet to discover that females are veterans with unique needs. Females are gradually beginning to become a larger percentage of veterans over time yet the type and quality of care are sub par.

Quality, availability and timeliness of mental health care for both male and female veterans is also under par. PTSD, TBI, amputations (due to the trauma) can all lead to disability, loss of social relationships, substance abuse, legal problems and - homelessness.

It is my experience that the "covering up" for p.r. - that has been recently thrust into out attention, has permeated through the floors of every V.A. in our country. Appearance seems to be much more important than the actual quality of care.

Every veteran is grateful for the care they receive. We are all aware that many Americans have no health care. That doesn't mean, however, that veterans should settle for a lessor level of care which happens more than is publicly known.

The solution? Timely, quality care.

God Bless-
ANJYL