A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
The government system (DoD and VA) have become inundated with an ever increasing caseload of mentally ill combat soldiers and veterans. Compounding this problem, approximately 80% of military psychology positions have been filled, along with 80% of the VA positions. This does not reflect other mental health service practitioners.
I have an ongoing dialog with a therapist who just now received Tricare approval (after some much needed advice from a blogger that you might know…Yep, you guessed it, me), and she has taken a crash course in the combat flavor of PTSD. I gave her some direction and research when she was feeling overwhelmed in the beginning, as you can imagine one can when facing the horrors of killing and the pain this brings.
In Kentucky we have two major military bases with many soldiers who I know need help but cannot or will not seek help. Further widening the barriers to care, private practitioners do not have adequate integrative therapeutic skill sets based on the latest up to date research to engage this population, who in the past have been labeled as "treatment resistant." A misconceived attribution attached to combat PTSD (to be addressed in a follow up article).
Not only do we have this gap in services between the government and private sector, we do not have a treatment modality based on the most up to date research, and as if this was not enough of a hill to climb, we have unfilled mental health positions in the military and at the Veterans Administration.
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Bob the Liberal
I hate to say it, but the VA has been broke for a long time. And its high time it was fixed. Our entire health system needs to be fixed, but especially the VA.
Roman General
I could not agree with you more Bob.
Kat
Ad nauseum – CJ
Critical Facts
Not pertinent – CJ
Kat
Not pertinent – CJ
Critical Facts
Not pertinent – CJ
Kat
Not pertinent – CJ
Roman General
Not pertinent – CJ
Kat
Not pertinent – CJ
Roman General
I am appalled that you would use this thread to advance your own agenda. I am not surprised though. I see it all the time.
How about we talk about the actual topic in this thread? Hmm, the Veterans Administration, you know the VA?
Kat
I am sorry, but I am angry, I come from a military family and my sister was attacked on 9-11. I am scared for my family and my friends. I too have family that was mistreated by the VA. I just hold no hope for anything that benefits them under this administration. But still they get up every morning and serve. I feel nothing but 4 (possibly
years of dread ahead. I can easily find another blog that supports me and my interest.
Roman General
I understand Kat, this can be an extremely trying time for many. My brother was in the towers when the planes hit, we were fortunate that he had the sense to get out, when over the intercom the message was for everyone to remain where they were. His tower was the first one hit, he was on the 33rd floor. He passed many firemen on their way up.
We may get a little heated at times, but that is not a reason to go elsewhere. Stay, I find many inspirations here arguing the issues.
CJ and I do not agree on many issues, but we still respect each other and have a willingness to joust every now and then. I hope that you do not feel that I have no respect you. I do.
I fear for our brothers and sisters in Iraq and Afghanistan, this is the intensity that you have witnessed here.
Kat
Again, it’s very hard for me. My nephew is in the middle east and I have NO tollerace for Bush haters who say, I support our troops, but not the war! Well, I don’t agree with everything Pres. Bush did either, but I was safe for the last 8 years. I felt my nephew was safe… and my sister, at her job in the Pentagon. That security is all gone now. If someone attacks your family you get very passionate! I shouldn’t have these worries.
Roman General
Kat, have you considered that you may have secondary PTSD? Yes, this is a real possibility for people close to soldiers and veterans. Here is a website that can help, Family of a Vet. They are family members and friends that have been where you are and can help you get through to the other side.
Kat
Thanks, I’ll check it out.
Stan68ar
The VA has some serious issues with care in general…let alone the care for PTSD. I have been struggling with them for two years – was assaulted in one of their clinics by a phlebotomist…I don’t expect this government bureacracy to improve quickly unless Shinseki really applies significant fixes to an indifferent agency. Lets hope for the best
Roman General
Stan, thank you for your service to our country, welcome home brother.
I would suggest that you start to research how the VA system works. The knowing the VA regulations and citing them if necessary will change the way that the system and people treat you. Understanding how the bureaucracy works will go a long way to helping them help you.
You can actually fire your doctor, any doctor that you have (I will get you the form if you want it, will have to do it later-don’t know where it is off hand-gotta be in school at 5pm and still not ready). Have you filed a complaint against the phlebotomist with the patient advocate?
Kat
The Dems keep calling for socialized medicine, what do you think the VA is? If you socialize the health care system, this will be the story for all of us. Our service members deserve better health care, you know like congress has. Why aren’t they the same? They promise the same for us!
Critical Facts
Not true! You cannot isolate the VA and conclude that the same problems will extend to the entire health care system were health care provided to the public as it is, successfully, in the rest of the western world.
Having said that, everyone agrees that our soldiers need better health care, and I am not aware of anyone who says otherwise.
Roman General
I have to agree with CF, the rest of Europe and Canada have a medical system that is inclusive and efficient proving a high standard of care.
The problems with VA can be fixed, we just have to find the fortitude and conviction to understand the problem and employ a working model!
The VA organization is so ingrained in protecting the budget and not orientated first to the veterans. This is the phenomenon working behind the scenes. The VA is not going anywhere, we will not be able to scrap it and start over. This is the system we have, how about we have some dialog that actually contributes to finding a solution? Or describing our experiences such as Stan68ar has done.
Learning the system, regulations and educating veterans of this will greatly increase the standard of care. You know the adage “you do not have any rights, if you do know your rights” holds true in any organizational structure.
The most sweeping changes in government have come from grassroots organizing and coming together for a common cause, and demanding change and carrying out the actions necessary to so. Do you have anything to add to a constructive compilation to address the issue presented here?
Kat
Who told you that other nations are so happy with their socialized health care? Michael Moore? Do some reasearch I live in MI and I know Canadians, Canadians that come here and go to New York for their health care. Canadian’s have started litigation against their government to have the right to purchase and use private insurance and and private practitioners to get care the government denies them! Maybe you should research this further.
There’s my agenda… my personal agenda!
Critical Facts
Nobody said the Canadian system was perfect. On the other hand, most will agree the public health care systems in the Western world – other than the US – are highly successful.
PS. I know Canadians, too, and many of them will disagree with your characterization of the system vehemently.
Roman General
Kat, I am a researcher and a student.
I have done the research. I did not just ask some Canadians or Europeans or whoever. I researched scientifically based peer reviewed articles, not an opinion poll of my neighbors.
If you want me to provide the research for you, it will take some time. Every time that CJ has asked me to provide the research to back up my claims I have done so. Albeit not right away, I have responsibilities outside of my blogging.
Ask CJ, I have provided evidence to all arguments and counterpoints. I have only retracted one article that I have posted here and since have been careful in regards to my integrity as a writer.
Kat
RG,
I too am a student and a researcher. I did a research paper on this issue as well. When Canadians have to fight for treatment,the system is broken. If you walk into the hospital where I work, we have to treat you! No one can be left for dead… or brushed off for not having insurance. If you need open heart surgery (Cardiology is my field and my passion) you will get it at my hospital, as soon as possible! Within hours if the case calls for it, no matter who you are and witout consideration of how you will pay! If you need the same in Canada, you go on a waiting list and you are catigorized and put in to a pecking order! True?
Based on how broken the VA system is and based on how broken Medicare and Medicaid are how can you trust Washington with our health care system? I agree that our system is broken too, but I will hold it up to Canada’s any day of the week.
The truth of the fact is there are not 47 million Americans going without health care and if there are, it isn’t because they can’t obtain it or can’t afford it. I too am willing to provide my research used. Washington would like you to think our system is in complete shambles and it just isn’t the truth. The biggest problem I have with our system ( I live in MI, a major welfare state) are the drug seekers created by and supported by the state government! I see it everyday that I go into work. I can’t imagine that the federal or state government can improve on what we have already. I know they can’t, again, I see it everyday! I lived it in the military as a dependent, and trying to help care for elderly parents proves it to me as well. When they can’t afford medicine, and I am forced to smile and dish psycoactive drugs out though the ER to drug seekers it’s an eye opening experience.
Roman General
Lets agree to disagree, the fact is there is good and bad wherever we look. I think that we can both agree that the system needs to be better than it is.
Kat
Yes, let’s agree to disagree. I just hope we don’t end up giving our health care dollars up to Congress!
CJ
I completely disagree with CF and RG here. Socialized medicine helps some, but most get screwed by the system. Without a choice, there is no freedom. I’m on socialized medicine (active duty military) and it sucks!! I have Soldiers who are rightfully filing congressionals against the way we are treated.
Like all medical care, there are pros and cons to all types: private or nationalized. However, socialized medical care in all places where it is practiced is woefully inadequate and entirely too expensive.
But, back to the topic, our VA system IS broke and it’s been broken through Democratic AND Republican “leadership”. It’s not so bad on active service (considering it’s free), but veterans get screwed!
Kat
Thanks CJ,
Use to be on military socialized medicine myself, so I know. I guess we just have to live through it to understand.
Roman General
Kat, I am a veteran of Desert Storm, I have lived the military way of life. Today I live the life of a veteran, which is a completely different experience. I know both sides. Both require a knowledge of the system, which is exactly what I was telling Stan68ar.
Scrapping the whole medical system (private and government) is not going to happen, we must work together to find solutions that everyone can live with. No one side has all the right answers for everyone, this country was not founded in this way.
Critical Facts
Kat:
You stated:
“If you walk into the hospital where I work, we have to treat you! No one can be left for dead… or brushed off for not having insurance. If you need open heart surgery (Cardiology is my field and my passion) you will get it at my hospital, as soon as possible! Within hours if the case calls for it, no matter who you are and witout consideration of how you will pay!”
Would you be so kind as identify this hospital? Or, if not, then perhaps identify another hospital that provides the same services you describe, without regard for ability to pay? Also, should I assume from your comment above that your hospital is representative of what can be found across America?
Kat
Our hospital is a community hospital and yes you can find them in almost every major city. There are 4 within 20 miles of me.
Kat
And if your condition isn’t an emergency, you can use the free clinic right down the road from me.