Article

2016-08-26 Government

76-year-old veteran commits suicide in VA parking lot

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Posted by Besoeker 2016-08-26 06:40|| || Front Page|| [11126 views ] Top

#1 Sad indeed. If anyone is offended by the graphic and black humour, I apologize in advance. Can we not however, put things in proper context. The VA provides much needed care and valuable benefits to hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families. I am grateful for the VA and my fellow Americans who foot the substantial bill for this benefit.

Eating your pistol in the parking lot is NOT a solution to the challenge of admissions or treatment.

Posted by Besoeker 2016-08-26 06:53|| 2016-08-26 06:53|| Front Page Top

#2 B.
His challenge wasn't admission or treatment. His challenge was being unable to stand being sick and tired of being sick and tired any longer.
The VA has 365k unionized, dues-paying employees, hardly any of them veterans. Thus, if they choose to say "eff you" to any complaints....they can.

Posted by Richard Aubrey 2016-08-26 07:32|| 2016-08-26 07:32|| Front Page Top

#3 Yes Richard, all one has to do is visit a VA Center. The staffing profile and sometimes staff attitudes are not unlike any other unionized Federal agency. My point is, even then, much good work is still being done.

I too can remember when veteran's preference for federal hiring actually meant something, and most of our USPS letter carriers were prior servicemen and women. Federal recruitment has changed, and we all know why.

Press releases for the VA just seem to all be negative. Evidently nothing good can be found. Hence my comments.

Again, my apologies if I have offended anyone. My limited VA experiences, and those of my friends (some of which are rather extensive) have generally been quite positive.

Posted by Besoeker 2016-08-26 07:45|| 2016-08-26 07:45|| Front Page Top

#4 My limited VA experiences, and those of my friends (some of which are rather extensive) have generally been quite positive.

The problem with large programs in general is that they can work well for the vast majority, while being disastrous for the small minority that does not fit into standard categories. When it comes to health care, taking a bit longer to get appointments, evaluations, and not-the-latest treatments isn't really an issue, as long as the patients are greeted cheerfully and are content with the price they pay for it. But for someone with something odd (Agent Orange sufferers, fast moving cancer, suicidal ideation), the delays will be deadly, as we see in this case and the unknown numbers of dead that have piled up over the last decade at least while the problems were actively hidden.

Posted by trailing wife 2016-08-26 10:19|| 2016-08-26 10:19|| Front Page Top

#5 Excellent points TW. It's certainly a complex problem that merits monitoring and investigation.

Posted by Besoeker 2016-08-26 10:34|| 2016-08-26 10:34|| Front Page Top

#6 If any of you are vets, use your state veteran's office as an advocate for you. Texas's has been very good for me and they love to sink their teeth into the VA at every hitch.

Posted by AlmostAnonymous5839 2016-08-26 11:03|| 2016-08-26 11:03|| Front Page Top

#7 Some Congressmen will also advocate with the VA for the veterans in their district. That was how our newest daughter's mother got a quick response from the VA when she was diagnosed with cancer -- she'd never gone to the VA before that point, so they were reluctant to accept her claim. She died anyway, because she didn't go to the doctor until it had metasticized throughout her body (stage 4?), but they did treat it aggressively until it was clear there was no point.

Posted by trailing wife 2016-08-26 12:15|| 2016-08-26 12:15|| Front Page Top

#8 The VA provides much needed care and valuable benefits to hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families.

They can barely handle the routine stuff. Apparently emergencies are a disaster.

Posted by gorb 2016-08-26 14:43|| 2016-08-26 14:43|| Front Page Top

#9 The American Legion has been fighting these bastard VA people for years. Finally people are paying attention.

Posted by Neville Bonaparte1146 2016-08-26 15:57|| 2016-08-26 15:57|| Front Page Top

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