I defy anyone to defend this....

[island911]

fin, it's about priorities.

Do we need to visit a list of all the stupid govt programs and expenditures that gets funded by OPM? (against the funders wishes)

Pisses me off that basic things like emergency services are used as bait --the last things funded-- so that tax payers say 'yes' to more taxes.

Originally Posted by URY914

Th federal government should not be in the hospital business. Maybe after WWII there was a need but no more.

this^^

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Agreed and I wonder how they define wait time. Is it sitting in the VA waiting? Or is it waiting for the day that you go to the VA?

It is days waiting for an appointment. The average is around 7 days for nonemergency primary care. Less than I have to wait for an appointment with my doctor.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

I would think Disney would consider wait times to have reached a critical point when people started to leave rather than wait longer. Hasn't reached that point yet. I would think the VA would (should ?) think the critical point is reached (passed ?) when people die waiting. That point has been reached (passed) already.

Almost 100% of those that die (private sector or VA) of non accidental causes are under some sort of medical care...and have some sort of medical appointment...so everyone died waiting. I have poor hearing and regular appointments...and probably will for the rest of my life like folks with heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. All will likely die in between (waiting) on an appointment.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by island911

fin, it's about priorities.

Do we need to visit a list of all the stupid govt programs and expenditures that gets funded by OPM? (against the funders wishes)

Pisses me off that basic things like emergency services are used as bait --the last things funded-- so that tax payers say 'yes' to more taxes.


this^^

Listing how other taxpayer dollars are spent would be stupid since the VA can only spend money that Congress provides to the VA and only on what Congress tells them to spend it on. It is like you complaining that the baker did not bake you enough bread...despite the fact that you paid your landscaper a lot of money to mow your grass.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by cairns

especially any so called conservatives whose salary is payed by taxpayers.....

That was a set up, wasn't it ?

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

That was a set up, wasn't it ?

Of course. The guy who constantly complains about taxes and too many government employees complains that less doctors and more patients means longer wait times. Ironic.

[widgeon13]

My speculation is that if you are a vet and put up a stink you most likely will get a longer wait time due to attitude. Those admin folks don't like to be pissed off because they have some really amazing power, just like Loretta from the IRS. And they want to show it when challenged.

No little punk SGT. is going to come in here and show me how to run my govt beauracy! We'll fix that attitude!

[GH85Carrera]

The thing that galls me the most is not just the long wait times. Why in hell do those VA employees get huge bonuses for doing a great job and all they did was hide the fact that the wait was long. Lots of "off the books" just out wait the patient and let them die. The official list looks great, bonus time for everyone!

[cashflyer]

VA needs Fast Pass.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

The thing that galls me the most is not just the long wait times. Why in hell do those VA employees get huge bonuses for doing a great job and all they did was hide the fact that the wait was long. Lots of "off the books" just out wait the patient and let them die. The official list looks great, bonus time for everyone!

They get bonuses because they are paid a fraction of what the private sector earns...and it is essentially for retention.

[tadd]

The real issue is public perception. The wife is a night critical care nurse of near 30 years that just bumped to night nursing supervisor. Hers is the last call for any problem short of senior management getting woken up cause the building is on fire...You wouldn't believe the crap that people grip about in giving a 'satisfaction' score.

There should be only two scores... if you go out the front door the hospital gets 5 stars.... out the back door the patient can give one .

Serious... its not a hotel. Its a medial facility. Get well and get out the door!

All the while the level of health care has crept up. Tele units handle same patients that were critical care 10 years ago and critical care patients from a decade ago would be dead today.