Bullypulpit
Senior Member
Let me present you with this article from 2005 in "<a href=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2005/0501.longman.html><i>Washington Monthly</i></a>".
Here's a quote:
<blockquote>Yet here's a curious fact that few conservatives or liberals know. Who do you think receives higher-quality health care. Medicare patients who are free to pick their own doctors and specialists? Or aging veterans stuck in those presumably filthy VA hospitals with their antiquated equipment, uncaring administrators, and incompetent staff? An answer came in 2003, when the prestigious <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i> published a study that compared veterans health facilities on 11 measures of quality with fee-for-service Medicare. On all 11 measures, the quality of care in veterans facilities proved to be "significantly better."
Here's another curious fact. <i>The Annals of Internal Medicine</i> recently published a study that compared veterans health facilities with commercial managed-care systems in their treatment of diabetes patients. In seven out of seven measures of quality, the VA provided better care.</blockquote>
I know docs who did internships in VA hospitals in the 80's and 90's. They said then that they were truly horrific, and got as far away from them as they could as soon as they could. Some more current MD's say that their experiences at VA facilities were good.
The sad fact is, though, that with the number of injured veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the system will be overloaded if steps aren't taken now to ensure adequate funding for the VA. If that fails to happen, things could likely go back to the bad old days for the VA as staff and facilities are overwhelmed by the need.
But guess what? Instead of increasing funding for VA services The Bush Administration <a href=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/303415_vetshealth13.html>anticipates cuts to VA funding in 2009 and 2010</a>, with a freeze on spending thereafter. This with the average VA caseload increasing about 5% per year since 2000, and sure to increase dramatically as more and more critically wounded vets, requiring specialized and long term care return from Iraq. The VA is already seeing more than 200,000 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan on an annual basis. Any escalation in Iraq and the surrounding region is sure to increase that number beyond the systems capacity to cope.
Here's a quote:
<blockquote>Yet here's a curious fact that few conservatives or liberals know. Who do you think receives higher-quality health care. Medicare patients who are free to pick their own doctors and specialists? Or aging veterans stuck in those presumably filthy VA hospitals with their antiquated equipment, uncaring administrators, and incompetent staff? An answer came in 2003, when the prestigious <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i> published a study that compared veterans health facilities on 11 measures of quality with fee-for-service Medicare. On all 11 measures, the quality of care in veterans facilities proved to be "significantly better."
Here's another curious fact. <i>The Annals of Internal Medicine</i> recently published a study that compared veterans health facilities with commercial managed-care systems in their treatment of diabetes patients. In seven out of seven measures of quality, the VA provided better care.</blockquote>
I know docs who did internships in VA hospitals in the 80's and 90's. They said then that they were truly horrific, and got as far away from them as they could as soon as they could. Some more current MD's say that their experiences at VA facilities were good.
The sad fact is, though, that with the number of injured veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the system will be overloaded if steps aren't taken now to ensure adequate funding for the VA. If that fails to happen, things could likely go back to the bad old days for the VA as staff and facilities are overwhelmed by the need.
But guess what? Instead of increasing funding for VA services The Bush Administration <a href=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/303415_vetshealth13.html>anticipates cuts to VA funding in 2009 and 2010</a>, with a freeze on spending thereafter. This with the average VA caseload increasing about 5% per year since 2000, and sure to increase dramatically as more and more critically wounded vets, requiring specialized and long term care return from Iraq. The VA is already seeing more than 200,000 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan on an annual basis. Any escalation in Iraq and the surrounding region is sure to increase that number beyond the systems capacity to cope.