Today was my first visit to a VA Medical Facility as a patient.

I honestly avoided it like the plague. I retired from the military in 2011 and because of my health benefits with my next career I did not qualify for VA care. That was fine with me as I had worked in and with the VA for years, and I always got the feeling it was place to go and die. Like a Hospital in the 1950s where the majority of patients never left or the scene from “Born of the 4th of July” as the main character, Ron Kovic is treated as a nuisance and less than human. Perhaps it’s the incentive of rewarding veterans with financial compensation for illness or disability of which I am a recipient. Although a noble idea and commensurate with our need for self preservation I believe the secondary effects begets a sense of sorrow and defeat as most of us veterans never served for a paycheck but to serve the Nation. Perhaps it was visiting my Scoutmaster in his VA hospital room decades ago. It was a lime green tiled to the shoulder hot room with five other gentlemen. As a young person to see a hero in my eyes in such a state had a profound effect on me. It actually made me think I wanted to be as tough as he was to deal with that. These are my reflections and makes me see the VA in a specific way. I know my impressions are affected by my history as does my experience working in and with dozens and dozens of hospitals over 30 years.

The days that I reflected on are long gone from the VA. They have modern facilities with beautiful architecture. The staff fall over backwards to help you when you are there with them. Perhaps they cannot help, but they do try as the processes are still associated with governmental rules and regulations that any American can relate to in a negative away. You can say whatever you want about VISTA the electronic medical record but the system works and does not run the facility like commercial products, but that is another subject for another day. So why do we need to change the VA? Its the culture.

You can have the best facility with the best system and great people but overall have a poor experience. That’s is organizational behavior 101. When veterans believe the VA is a last resort and is something that is owed to them, can it really provide a service that is viewed as something of value? It’s like free lunch at elementary school it never tasted as good as the Mcdonalds burger you had to buy got it hot and fresh after walking there from school.

Of course I don’t know the answer to my premise, but I do have some recommendations.

Get rid of Medicare and Medicaid and provide universal healthcare to all Americans which includes veterans, provide them with a higher level of care as they have earned it through a “platinum” insurance PPO plan. America (tax dollars) already spends more money per capita then an other national with universal healthcare. We spend around 13K per person per year. Other countries do not even spend half that and have better outcomes and much better quality. A person can always pay for private care as I did before I needed the VA. If veterans had a platinum plan they earned and could use where they wanted it would bring better outcomes.

Return the VA to what it was started as a tertiary medical care mission with professional education. They can’t do all of the additional missions, it’s been given. Its too big for a governmental bureaucracy to be successful.

I also want to say thank you to a VA employee. After several months of being told to call this and that I was able to get assigned a primary care manager, and ID and an appointment within a few days. Ms Dorothy answered the phone and said come on down and I’ll square you away. The calling and computer processes just didn’t work, but a former Army NCO made it happen. She still leads from the front. I miss the Army sometimes.

I wanted to share what ChatGPT said about my post as an editor and critic….

Title: Improving Veteran Healthcare: Changing the VA’s Culture

Introduction: My recent visit to a VA Medical Facility as a patient prompted me to reflect on the state of veteran healthcare in the United States. Having retired from the military in 2011 and benefiting from alternative health insurance, I had avoided the VA healthcare system, largely due to perceptions of it being a place of despair and disillusionment. However, my visit revealed a different reality, showcasing modern facilities and dedicated staff. While the VA has made significant improvements, there is still a fundamental issue that needs addressing: its culture.

1. Changing the Perception of the VA: My personal history and experiences, as well as those of others, have shaped a negative perception of the VA. To create a more effective veteran healthcare system, we must alter this perception. It’s essential that veterans no longer view the VA as a last resort or an entitlement, but as a valuable healthcare option.
2. Universal Healthcare for Veterans: To improve the VA system, we should consider integrating veterans into a universal healthcare plan. By eliminating Medicare and Medicaid for veterans and providing them with a “platinum” insurance PPO plan, we can ensure that they receive a higher level of care they have rightfully earned. This approach aligns with the idea that veterans should have access to quality healthcare just like any other American.
3. Reevaluating the VA’s Mission: The VA has expanded its missions over the years, which has contributed to inefficiencies. To streamline its operations, we should consider returning the VA to its initial mission as a tertiary medical care provider with a focus on professional education. This would allow it to excel in its core mission without the bureaucratic complexities associated with additional roles.
4. Recognizing Dedicated VA Employees: It’s important to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of VA employees, such as Ms. Dorothy, who go above and beyond to provide care to veterans. Their commitment is invaluable and should be celebrated.

Conclusion: Improving the veteran healthcare system requires a shift in culture, a move towards universal healthcare for veterans, and a reevaluation of the VA’s mission. By addressing these issues, we can ensure that veterans receive the care and support they deserve, ultimately honoring their service to the nation and providing them with the healthcare they have earned. It’s time to reshape the perception of the VA and make it a place where veterans feel valued and cared for, just as they should be.