I can not help but wonder how any thinking person can be a witness to the debacle that the VA has proven to be and still think that the ACA is a positive step toward affordable health care.

I've (as a RVN Agent Orange disabled Vet) been trying to get in for a base line Agent Orange physical since 1/6/14. Sent a complaint email to Senator Murray 1/6 & so far she has succeeded in ignoring me. So much for her being Pro Vet. Feb I forwarded that email to Rep Kilmer. Did not hear squat from him until this current Chit hit the fan. F'ing hypocritical Politicians.

Spent another hour and a half on the phone this morning getting transferred from Port Angeles VA to 5 different Pungent Sound VA places and NOT ONCE did they put me through to the Agent Orange Folks at American Lake (Tacoma). Silly basturds, could not understand it is a medical hardship for me to travel to that DumbArsed Centralized Soviet Style Group Think all Good things are in Seattle CRAP. All I want is a very simple Agent Orange Base Line Physical.

Privatized the Dumb Basturds!!!!!!

Thanks for going over there for us, and I'm sorry you are getting the run around. Hopefully the situation is resolved soon.

I really think that along the lines of all of those FB 'memes' that Congress needs to go a year with having no access to healthcare, except for a VA hospital or clinic. We need to treat those who fought for us in a much more responsive manner.

I have firends who work at, and have been treated at Madigan, and for the most part, they have been happy with the level of care. That level of care should continued into the future as well.

1000Xs!!!!

It's an ugly situation.
Both parties oughta STFU and fix it right now.
No more new military toys, no more funding for existing toy projects, no more raises until this is fixed.
In fact, roll back some raises and whatever else it takes to do this.

This isn't a partisan issue. Both parties have been doing a great job of ignoring folks who this nation has sent into harms way. It needs to be fixed, and there really isn't very much else to add.

Also my comment was directed at treatment active duty friends have been receiving care at Madigan, not retired or discharged military folks. There is a different level of treatment available to active duty members of the military, which is in line with some of the best trauma treatment available.

By the way folks the VA IG reported today the VA Problems are systemic across all VA Facilities.

In my consulting work I visited many VA hospitals. Some are old and crappy and many are shiny new, but they all seemed to have long waits and poor service. IMHO our vets deserve MUCH better. Why not simply buy all vets with a service connected disability, a top notch insurance plan and close the damn VA hospitals, or sell them to the highest bidder. Those with lesser problems could be given policies that have some co-pay.

I do not see this as a partisan issue. It's just one neither party gives a shiitt about until the next scandle erupts. Then they blather about how much they care but do next to nothing.

Too bad the politicians are so quick to go to war and so slow to help those whose lives are shattered.

We've become a country of hollow slogans and rapid-cycle news. What do you expect? Everyone will have something else to bitch about tomorrow.

I feel the same way. Just give every veteran a card that lets them use any doctor/hospital and make the VA's core goal to process payment for doctors and hospitals quickly and fairly. Make it so doctors and hospitals actively seek out clients with a VA card. This is what vets deserve.

Of course that will never happen the goal of every bureaucracy is self-preservation and the VA is one of the biggest there is.

No Thanks Hank to that OVomit Exchange, i.e., The Blue Light Special of the Health Care System. I EARNED my VA Benefits with No Strings Attached. I did not quibble/bargin/Snivel Like KK/Banned User when I raised my right hand & took the OATH, and yes got shot at in Nam. My disability is only 20% (which may go up some more after my physical), so any thoughts of crap like a copay or other reduction of benefits would be insulting to say the least. Especially when tons of Fed Bucks are pissed away at so called institutions of Lower learning, i.e., Pell grants, forgiving study loans, useless studies, on and on.

And it must be the planets aligning, between yesterday afternoon (Mandy Bishop Seattle VA), the Local PA VA, OMC records, Gen Shinseki RESIGNING, I am scheduled for my base line Agent Orange Physical here in PORT ANGELES & NOT Seattle in a week. So you see boys & girl (that would be KK/Banned User), the Centralized Soviet Style Group Think can be defeated.

Hope your appointment goes well.

"So you see boys & girl (that would be KK/Banned User), the Centralized Soviet Style Group Think can be defeated."

No, we didn't stop Centralized Soviet Style Group Think in Vietnam, the reason we were fighting there, so we are now a communist country.

& ????? The Failed Centralized Soviet Group Think is the Problem here in the US of A, especially with the VA. As an example, Veterans are "Decentralized" where they LIVE, WORK, & Get Non-VA Health Care. The vets are The Customers, and in no way shape form or fashion be required to "Centralize" to receive VA Health Care. Even looking at the VA proiblems at the State Level, i.e., Washington State with Most VA Resources located in Seattle (and a very small/minor facility in Spokane). It is a hardship to go to Hilly Seattle, especially those of us with mobility problems. Try using a walker in Seattle. Or better yet try using a cane in that HellHole.

And you are quite 'special'.

We need a wrastlin' match.

Perhaps KK could attempt to wrestle with the facts.

Being that he seems to be unable to face up to facts he might try this. I would consider purchasing a ticket

Go molest a Goat KK, that's the only thing you're good at

Well, this morning (Friday the Thirteenth) I had base line Agent Orange physical conducted by a Nurse Practioneer in Port Angeles. Had to fill our yet another multi-page form & due to my CIDP Neuropathy that is quite a shakey chore. Started on time (SURPRISE!!!!), lasted an hour, & I was out the door (ESCAPED). I understand a "Real Doctor" from the "Centralized Soviet Style Seattle VA Hq." will be calling me in the next 3 business days with follow up questions.

FYI, I have been a 20%'er since 1971, this Agent Orange stuff will/possibly be in addition to if it comes to past. The Nurse Practioneer says to me as I going out the door, "well you are now ESTABLISHED." That can scare the crap outta me - maybe.