Video: Maj. Chuck Ziegenfuss on disgraceful conditions at Walter Reed Hospital
posted at 10:18 am on February 21, 2007 by Allahpundit
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Can’t put it any better than the boss did:
The mess at the VA and in the military health care sysm is systemic and complicated. Political grandstanding on both sides of the political aisle has impeded reforms for years. The push to modernize and consolidate facilities, including Walter Reed, has been met with fierce resistance–exacerbated by bureaucratic edifice complex. That these failures to prioritize continue in war time unabated is damnable. Any light shone on the soldiers’ toll, whatever the motivations and prejudices of the WaPo reporters might be, is welcome, IMO…
I do hope all the left-wingers who are now newly enraged by problems at the VA sustain their interest beyond the time frame in which these stories maximize embarrassment of their political opponents. Supporting the troops takes much more than exploiting their neglect.
WaPo reports this morning that the military is scrambling to make repairs, especially to Building 18 where the Post found “mold, rot, mice and cockroaches.” Here’s milblogger Chuck Ziegenfuss on CNN discussing his own stay at the facility in 2005. Sounds like it’s been this way for years.
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Is this what Bill Arkin meant by “obsene amenities”?
Chad on February 21, 2007 at 10:23 AM
I hope too. Not holding my breath though.
KelliD on February 21, 2007 at 10:33 AM
Where were the damned democrats in that CNN report. Excuse me…I didn’t see a damned one them. Hey Murtha ??? Hey Pelosi??? Were are you ??
oldelpasoan on February 21, 2007 at 10:35 AM
It looks alot like billeting I was put in down in Florida once. There was mold all over the walls and the ceiling in the bathroom was falling in. When they refused to move me, I took pictures of the mess, had them developed and threatened to send them to the press, my congressman, and the DoD. I was moved within 30 minutes. I am a bit surprised that none of the families considered taking this problem public sooner.
Centurion68 on February 21, 2007 at 10:37 AM
CNN might be doing it to embarass the Administration and I hope it does the job. There is no excuse for conditions like this in a Military facility.
The Commander at Walter Reed should be Courts Martialed for allowing those conditions to exist.
Helloyawl on February 21, 2007 at 10:48 AM
That is a shameful statement by the Secretary of the Army. I guess none of his officers had any responsibility there? I am not taking blame off anyone, but to put it solely on the shoulders of some NCOs??? What $^%&*^$*&^ that is.
Centurion68 on February 21, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Noticed all the comments about the VA bureaucracy – committees, forms, assigned doctors, etc. etc.
Isn’t the VA just the real-life version of HILLARYCARE?
In this day and age, with all the wonderful medical facilities available nationwide, why does the VA even need to exist? Wouldn’t a Veterans go anywhere medical account/card work better? Let the private sector deal with this.
naliaka on February 21, 2007 at 10:49 AM
I have had good experiences with the VA center in Augusta, GA. It’s clean facility, and in my experience well run.
Centurion68 on February 21, 2007 at 10:51 AM
Hasn’t the VA always been notorious for this? Why does it have to be mismanagement or a failure of leadership?
I’d be asking the question, why can’t private (for profit) hospitals be contracted to take care of wounded soldiers? With no profit motive and cushy federal jobs they don’t have to do anything. There’s absolutely no accountability. If they provide substandard care no one loses their job and they don’t lose a penny. They can’t be made to care without accountability.
fudgypup on February 21, 2007 at 10:55 AM
I dont know where the blame lies, but everyone should be totally embarrassed by this treatment of our bravest.
Wounded for your country and sent to ‘recover’ in the worst possible buildings? These look like the old crack motels that every city in America has, and wants to tear down.
Yet we send our soldiers to this hellpit. WTF?
shooter on February 21, 2007 at 10:56 AM
three words to our fantastic (sarcasm) elected officials: FIX IT NOW.
pullingmyhairout on February 21, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Well said. I didn’t like when Congress gave the VA its own presidential cabinet position some years ago. I saw it as a sop to the Repubs at the time (I think it happened under Bush ‘41). It was a gimmick, and I agree privatizing the majority of military medical treatment would work much better.
I too have had good experiences with the VA when I was in Little Rock and North Little Rock. Dallas is only pretty good. But I have heard horror stories about when my grandfather was there. He got butchered on some nerve surgery.
urbancenturion on February 21, 2007 at 11:03 AM
To be honest, it’s not just the VA. Military construction was neglected for many years and new construction is difficult because of space and environmental issues. I currently live in “base housing” on a military installation and it was last renovated in the early 70’s (the buildings themselves were built in the 1920’s). They are livable, but my kids must still go yearly mandatory lead testing because the walls are covered with almost 100 years of lead paint and the roof leaks in a couple of spot during heavy rain. There is no money beyond the most basic maintenance, much less needed renovations to bring the structures up to code.
The situation is much the same with the military’s work structures. My wife worked in one particular building where the mold problem was so bad, they had to temporarily evacuate to another building while it was cleaned, but the smell never went away.
The sad fact is that the vast majority of military construction took place in the 50’s and 60’s and now those buildings, despite upkeep over the years, need major renovation or replacement. There simply isn’t the money available to do it all, so the most critical structures are replaced while the majority further degrade.
Given the budget realities, it’s something we’ll have to live with for the foreseeable future.
NPP on February 21, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Bush is proposing cutting the VA budget after he leaves office. This is not the place to start exercising fiscal responsibility. Once again, the private sector trumps big government with the Center for the Intrepid. Donate here to the Fallen Heroes Fund.
Valiant on February 21, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Okay, I am in no way saying that there are not legitimate gripes, but here are my observations after having spent the better part of 6 years attending to parents that have been in and out of the hospital.
rodents- I agree with him. No excuse
house cleaning- Welcome to reality. At one point, my mother spent 6 solid weeks in an MICU unit. We were lucky if the floor got mopped every 24 hours(it was done day to day), and I started handling the trash, and mom’s bathing and bedding. Hospitals are not run like hotels. One needs to weigh the good and the bad. As upset as we may have been with the above items, the medical treatment was top notch and for a woman that came in with less than 25% chance of survival, I should say that we are more than happy with the fact that she is still alive and an active 75 year old.
The facilities should be under renovation every week. In other words, they should be under maintenance at all times.
A point that should not be overlooked is one that Michelle made:
Let’s not allot new money to this. Let’s be smart and do the consolodations and free up money that we are wasting.
Pam on February 21, 2007 at 11:11 AM
For Shooter;
Walter Reed is actually on the list to be closed based on the recommendations of the latest BRAC (Base Realinement and Closure) Committee report. Once you put on that list you can just about forget about any funds being sent your way other than what is need to maintain the current state. There is no increase in funding for repairs.
I am not saying that as a way of making an excuse for the conditions, I am adding that to show how bearuacy can run afoul of common sense. It doesn’t matter if it up armoring HMMV’s and then realizing there are no jacks in the inventory to lift the now 3 ton vehicle or getting repairs done to facilities.
There can be no excuse however for a medical facility having mold and unsanitary conditions as outlined in this report, ANYWHERE!
LakeRuins on February 21, 2007 at 11:18 AM
A quote for our times.
flipflop on February 21, 2007 at 11:19 AM
The VA budget will decrease in two years time, but it will get the LARGEST INCREASE EVER this year.
BohicaTwentyTwo on February 21, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Isn’t the VA just the real-life version of HILLARYCARE?
naliaka on February 21, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Yes.
{shudder}
Lawrence on February 21, 2007 at 11:42 AM
Yeap, HILLARYCARE…………
PinkyBigglesworth on February 21, 2007 at 12:22 PM
You know, at first I had the same reaction as you did. But then I started thinking about it. Who better to fix the problems than the NCOs? If we want the responsibilities of leadership we had better be ready to take the blame if we screw up. We are the backbone of the Army, after all
JasonG on February 21, 2007 at 12:32 PM
OK, I sent emails off to all 4 of my congressmen.
csdeven on February 21, 2007 at 12:43 PM
THIS IS NEWS?
Not to this Marine wife.
To their credit, they have been phasing Walter Reid out for waaaaaaaay too long…its death is tOOooooooo long coming, so its upkeep has suffered longer through the war than was ever planned in peace time. But they need to PULL THE PLUG ALREADY.
NEITHER PARTY HAS DONE DICK FOR THE VETS. But they SURE DO like to trot them out for photo ops.
MAKES ME SICK. You hear me George??? SICK SICK SICK.
seejanemom on February 21, 2007 at 12:47 PM
This is what all health care will be like once it is nationalized.
infidel4life on February 21, 2007 at 12:47 PM
JasonG,
My beef is that he puts all the blame squarely on their shoulders. I am not alleviating the NCOs from any culpability they may have. I spent many years as an NCO and I know how important that role is. I also knew when something was beyond my pay grade and it needed to be elevated to a more senior level. I think his comments are a disgrace because it insinuates that the senior officers weren’t somehow responsible. I find it hard to believe these commanders just didn’t know there was a problem. If they were clueless, they sure don’t need to be in command!
Centurion68 on February 21, 2007 at 1:09 PM
I’ve been a victim of apathetic military care myself down in San Diego at the naval hospital there. The doctors are generally interested only in getting their med school debts paid down. The corpsman are disinterested and pathetic. Result? I used ‘force-shaping’ to get myself out and find civilian care. I’m not sure this is a problem the military can solve.
PRCalDude on February 21, 2007 at 1:53 PM
Let’s hope it is enough.
Valiant on February 21, 2007 at 2:26 PM
One point I guess I thought was obvious but EVERYONE is missing: Walter Reed is not a VA hospital. Walter Reed is run by the Army, not the VA. It’s funding comes from the Army, not the VA. It is a military hospital, not a VA hospital. The difference is important because they customers they serve are somewhat different as is their command structure and funding.
Walter Reed, like every other military hospital, is run by a senior active duty military medical officer and he reports through the Army Medical Service to the Secretary of the Air Force – not to the VA. Walter Reed primarily serves the needs of active duty personnel and those who require extensive outpatient care due to service-related injuries.
VA hospitals, on the other hand, serve primarily retires who are eligible for lifetime health care for a full career of service. VA hospitals also provide health care for service members discharged for service-related medical conditions as they receive extensive long-term health benefits as well. Those at Walter Reed are still in the service, though in a convalescent status.
I hope that clears things up for all of you.
NPP on February 21, 2007 at 2:48 PM
That should be “secretary of the Army” not “secretary of the Air Force”
NPP on February 21, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Well, if illegal aliens can get the BEST medical care for free in our BEST public hospitals, then so should our wounded warriors.
gary on February 21, 2007 at 4:45 PM
Walter Reed is being shut down so let’s kick Bush one more time while we can. Same old same old.
forged rite on February 21, 2007 at 4:46 PM
Y’know what’s so ironic about the moonbats ranting about WRAMC?
I can’t think of a more succinct description of socialized health care than that. This is exactly what Hillary! wants for every American man woman and child: institutionalized mediocrity.
spmat on February 21, 2007 at 7:26 PM
Off-topic warning…
I’m shocked, shocked that honora hasn’t chimed in on this thread yet. She was certainly quick to attempt to divert interest to this story on a recent thread about John Murtha’s stupidity. So where is she when the story gets its own thread?
On topic, active duty military healthcare facilities and VA facilities should not be confused, because they are not the same, are not funded nor managed by the same bureaucracies. The VA medical system has been sucking hind teat for ages when it comes to getting funding for improvements in materials or infrastructure. Discharged and retired military folks just deal with it, as always.
On the other hand, active duty hospitals, as Reed is, should be kept up. This issue is strictly a chain of command failure, and should be addressed as such. If sailors can keep the insides of a 40 year old boat clean and relatively rust-free while afloat, then the Army can do the necessary housekeeping on a hospital to make it livable until appropriations are available for real improvements.
Freelancer on February 21, 2007 at 7:53 PM
Move Congress into this poorly re-habbed hotel and move the vets into the Congressional offices, with the doctors available for the Senators and Representatives on duty.
Until the mess is fixed.
profitsbeard on February 21, 2007 at 8:10 PM
Does it seem odd to anyone else that she called it the “crown jewel” of the Army hospitals?
If Walter Reed is on a list of places to close down, I doubt it’s the crown jewel.
JadeNYU on February 21, 2007 at 8:30 PM
Of course this shouldn’t be.
However, the WaPo and libs’ timing? – best time: last end of Oct. or late summer 2008.
Or do they have an ounce of shame left?
Entelechy on February 21, 2007 at 9:16 PM
Perhaps this is a stupid question . . .is there anything we can do without getting in the way and making things more complicated?
heroyalwhyness on February 21, 2007 at 9:17 PM
As a person who has used the services of the VA, this is not news either. However, this is the fault not of the Bush administration but all the others. I am glad to see Walter Reed closing as well.
Catie96706 on February 21, 2007 at 9:26 PM
I really like HA….. you all are classic!
PinkyBigglesworth on February 21, 2007 at 9:36 PM
Well la te friggin da! Hey MrMutha, never mind cut and run how about cut loose with the cash to fix these atrocities! War criminal.
sonnyspats1 on February 21, 2007 at 9:48 PM
I should have written more about what I meant. In Colorado they started talking about closing bases in about 1980? 1982 maybe? And they had quite a few Colorado bases pegged to close. Fitzsimons Army Hospital and Lowry Air Force Base were two of them and were within a couple of miles of each other. In 1994-5 Lowry turned into a brand new town within a city (Denver & Aurora a neighbor suburb) with great planning and a huge property improvement by PRIVATE builders and contractors.. it’s an amazing community totally self contained and self sufficient.
In that same time Fitzsimons started to waste away. Having been on the list mentioned above (BRAC) it was already in bad shape by 1990, but it got even worse. Ignored is the word. They didn’t know what to do with it and the 577 ACRES in a fairly prime location, after a decade?
“The facility closed in 1999 and the grounds are currently being redeveloped for civilian use as the Fitzsimons Medical Campus.”
It took nearly 20 years to close it, and probably like Walter Reed it received no monetary help to get thru that time.
Here is the Fitz story.
So when I say embarrassed and our bravest sent to a hellpit, it’s because there was NO PLANNING. For 2 decades they’ve known to some degree what they had to do, they knew what had to be done so that our troops could get decent care. They didn’t do anything forward looking. My guess as to why?
The Dems beat up on Reagan for so many years trying to stop funding and halt his Star Wars Defense that when Clinton took over, they blew everything off. Nothing in defense got a dime
that wasn’t approved by the Dems and they did nothing. They were horrible land lords of OUR ASSETS.
The Dems did not plan.
The Dems did not spend.
The Dems did not CARE.
Like I said above, I don’t know ‘exactly’ who to blame, but I DO know where to look for placing blame.
Yes honora, I am blaming the clinton admin.
shooter on February 21, 2007 at 9:53 PM
I read the article, it was either rather sloppily written, or intentionally written to be misleading.
Nowhere does it show comparisons to previous budgets to clearly show huge increases over recent years.
The AP writer throws in a bit of editorializing:
It would have been nice to see more balanced quotes rather than only attacks from defeatocrats. Some of these same indignant democrats had no problem with Clenis’ flatlined budgets.
The whole article reminds me of Rockefeller when he chaired the Senate VA Committee years ago. He never voiced any concern about the Clenis’ budgets, but then stated the VA treated less than 1% of the nations 26 million veterans in an attempt to attack Republicans when he lost his chairmanship.
91Veteran on February 21, 2007 at 10:49 PM
I said throughout the ’90’s that anyone supporting HillaryCare should be required to volunteer and seek medical care solely at a VA hospital for a month.
91Veteran on February 21, 2007 at 10:52 PM
WTF?
Can you name for me one garrison in the US military in which an NCO is garrison commander?
…or a hospital commander?
I understand NCO’s are very good at their jobs, and at getting things done, but certain tasks require leadership from those in a commanders position.
91Veteran on February 21, 2007 at 10:56 PM
VA health care here in Temple, TX, really sucks. Most of the doctors are fine, but the facilities are terrible. Lots of money spent on window-dressing rather than health care. Hell, they killed 9 vets a few years ago by allowing a constractor to put solvent into the building’s main oxygen feed lines. Was anyone fired or disciplined over that? Nope. “Act of God”
old_dawg on February 21, 2007 at 10:57 PM
shooter,
I was stationed at Lowry a LONG time ago and thought it was a great place. Glad to hear it is doing well. I also had surgery at Fitz in 93. Very poor facilities but some of the best personnel I have ever come across. They did some great work despite the aging buildings they worked in.
Centurion68 on February 21, 2007 at 11:01 PM
Maybe it was a statement on the condition of other Army hospitals.
91Veteran on February 21, 2007 at 11:03 PM
Not for nothing, but care at Army hospitals has always been crappy. I learned early on, that if you have to get checked into an Army hospital, you will need an advocate. Most of that time, that means someone in you chain of command to check up on you and make sure you are treated right. The problem with the Med-Hold companies, is that these troops dont have a chain of command. Their units are still deployed. Its a broken system that has always been broken. Its time we get around to fixing it. Wounded soldiers need Casualty Assistance Officers just like those killed. They need someone who is specifically assigned to make sure they get the right care and the right treatment.
BohicaTwentyTwo on February 22, 2007 at 9:40 AM
While I keep hearing outrage about this – and justifiable at that – Walter Reed was scheduled to be closed as part of the 2005 BRAC closure schedule because the facility was outdated and not able to be modernized to meet the requirements of the military. However, things were adjusted so that Walter Reed was combined with other branches to provide joint care. Cases still flow into Walter Reed and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, but there is politics all over the decision to keep facilities related to Walter Reed open.
This is where things stand now.
lawhawk on February 22, 2007 at 9:44 AM
For those old enough to have had a “classical” education that involved reading the works of dead white guys, Rudyard Kipling hit it on the head with his poem “Tommy.”
Tommy
I went into a public-’ouse to get a pint o’beer,
The publican ‘e up an’ sez, “We serve no red-coats here.”
The girls be’ind the bar they laughed an’ giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an’ to myself sez I:
O it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, go away”;
But it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins,” when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it’s “Thank you, Mr. Atkins,” when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but ‘adn’t none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-’alls,
But when it comes to fightin’, Lord! they’ll shove me in the stalls!
For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, wait outside”;
But it’s “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper’s on the tide,
The troopship’s on the tide, my boys, the troopship’s on the tide,
O it’s “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper’s on the tide.
Yes, makin’ mock o’ uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an’ they’re starvation cheap;
An’ hustlin’ drunken soldiers when they’re goin’ large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin’ in full kit.
Then it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy how’s yer soul?”
But it’s “Thin red line of ‘eroes” when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it’s “Thin red line of ‘eroes” when the drums begin to roll.
We aren’t no thin red ‘eroes, nor we aren’t no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An’ if sometimes our conduck isn’t all your fancy paints:
Why, single men in barricks don’t grow into plaster saints;
While it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, fall be’ind,”
But it’s “Please to walk in front, sir,” when there’s trouble in the wind,
There’s trouble in the wind, my boys, there’s trouble in the wind,
O it’s “Please to walk in front, sir,” when there’s trouble in the wind.
You talk o’ better food for us, an’ schools, an’ fires an’ all:
We’ll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don’t mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow’s Uniform is not the soldier-man’s disgrace.
For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country,” when the guns begin to shoot;
An’ it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please;
But Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool – you bet that Tommy sees!
Spurlee on February 22, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Apparently the head guys (Army Surgeon General for one) are stepping up and taking responsibility. If you know anything about the military and anything about hospital admin, the thought of these two bureaucracies intersecting is rather frightening.
Having one caseworker assigned to every 125 cases is really beyond the pale though. And mold??? Supporting the troops indeed.
honora on February 22, 2007 at 11:57 AM
I think we have a winner….
Heard on the radio: “Don’t worry your pretty little head about this Walter Reed situation; go out and buy another $3 “Suppport the Troops” $3 magnet–no doubt made in China–and stick it on your SUV”. Bitterly funny.
honora on February 22, 2007 at 12:02 PM
I don’t really know what you mean. I do know that the VA system has been a real success story in recent years, a major turnaround. Who or what is behind this? I really have no idea.
honora on February 22, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Heard on the radio: “Don’t worry your pretty little head about this Walter Reed situation; go out and buy another $3 “Suppport the Troops” $3 magnet–no doubt made in China–and stick it on your SUV”. Bitterly funny.
honora on February 22, 2007 at 12:02 PM
I’m surprised that’s the first time you heard that. The anti-war crowd has been using that line (just go get another ribbon magnet) in one form or another for quite a while now.
forged rite on February 22, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Ever been in a VA hospital? I have, several times. They are over-crowded, under-staffed, it takes a week or more for medications to arrive in the mail and very few VA hospitals will accept emergency patients, instead they are sent to the nearest civilian hospital as most VA hospitals do not have the staff or equipment necessary for emergency care.
The VA system is a mess. Yes, it is an improvement from your would find 40 years ago, but all those improvement occurred in the mid to late 80’s and little improvements have been made since then.
RedinBlueCounty on February 22, 2007 at 1:30 PM
If Walter Reed was put on the list to close down, then it should get closed with these conditions..period. I can understand why they would not fix it up but these conditions aren’t acceptable and I agree with the poster said it should have had the plug pulled sooner.
As another poster already noted, this isn’t a VA hospital.
by RedinBlueCounty
My father has and it completely depends on where you are I guess. He likes the one in Washington State..actually prefers it over others in the area.
Highrise on February 22, 2007 at 2:22 PM
I don’t doubt that at all.
RedinBlueCounty on February 22, 2007 at 4:09 PM
I cross-posted the folllowing at Blackfive.com:
I’m a disabled veteran… a quadriplegic with damage to my spinal cord at C5-C6. I’ve been treated at both the Washington DC VA Hospital and Walter Reed. In terms of patient care, attention to detail (by nurses, doctors and other staff), waiting times (both treatment and pharmacy), and just plain old fashioned-all around suckiness I’d much rather go Walter Reed than the VA Hospital.
Furthermore, it’s been 20 months since I submitted my packet to the VA to get my status corrected… with no end in sight! I call on a regular basis and all they will tell me is that the ‘evaluators’ have my file. The VA’s website claims that the average veteran’s packet takes six months to get through the system and be approved or disapproved. What a crock of crap!
I’ve been in contact with literally hundreds of veterans (a lot of them Desert Storm Vets with the same or similar neurological problems that I have) that have been waiting almost twice as long as me… and some longer. Can you imagine your civilian insurance and doctors taking 40 months to decide your case? You’d get a lawyer and sue… wouldn’t you?
Well guess what, there’s a little law that keeps veterans from being able to get a lawyer to do that. Even in the appeals court process the only thing you’re allowed is a Veterans Service Rep to assist you. No lawyers for the veterans!
Yes, the whole system is screwed up, but the VA is 10x worse than Walter Reed.
Here’s an example of your tax dollars at waste at the Washington DC VA Hospital. The following happened to me. It’s not a “I heard it from someone” story!
I was at the Washington DC VA Hospital on day for treatment. I had an appointment around 10 a.m. with my neurologist and then an appointment with Physical Therapy around 11:30 a.m.
After I completed both appointments my mother and I ate lunch in the hospital. At 1:30 p.m. I went to the Recreational Therapy office to try and get information on the annual disabled veterans ski trip at Snowmass, Colorado.
There were two people (’clerks’??) sitting at separate desks in the outer office. At the rear of the outer officer was a door to the inner office (office of the head of Rec Therapy). When I rolled into the office the guy on the left was playing online computer flash games and the lady to my right was laying solitare and talking to a friend (obviousy a female from the way they talked about guys) or a family member.
I could see through the office door into the inner office and saw the head of Rec Therapy leaning back in his chair. I could hear every word he was saying too, and he was obviosly talking to his wife.
Several times I asked both of the “clerks” for help and was told that I had to wait for the “director.”
Not a single one of them greeted -or even acknowledged us- as we came in the office. We sat there from 1:30 until 3:00 while the three of them continued what they were doing. I finally became so furious that I shouted out that either someone helped me immediately or I was going to the hospital directors office to complain.
Now keep in mind that I was the only person in that office that was a veteran/client the entire time. No one else ever walked in or out.
Then, after my outburst the lady (clerk) and the Rec Therapy director came over and got really snotty with me, telling me that they were busy doing VA business and that I had to wait like everyone else. When I told them that I was paralyzed and not retarded and that I had just witnessed them waste and hour and a half of the taxpayers money I was asked to leave and not return unless I wanted to be arrested by the VA cops.
I’m so sick of the Department of Veterans Affairs and their staffers. It’s been my personal observation that 90% of them are lazy assholes with government jobs, so it’s nearly impossible to get rid of them. The other 10% are so overworked -because they have to pick up the slack for the lazy people- that they are tired and make mistakes. One of those mistakes almost killed me.
It was a simple accident by an overworked person. Fortunately I’m smart enough to read my doctors orders and prescriptions and was able to catch the accidental overdose before I swallowed the pills.
Yes, the entire military healthcare -active duty and veterans- need an over haul. But, having been treated by both systems I wish I could stay with the active duty hospitals.
Oh… and one more thing. If anyone thinks I’m Bull Shitting, I have another appointment in the VA hospital in about 30 days. They’re more than welcome to go with me and see it first hand. I can point out all kinds of crap. Sort of a tour of of the abuse and waste of your taxpayers dollars!
The invitation is extended to anyone… Dem or Repub that wants to see it. Any takers? Malkin? AllaPundit? Congressman? Senator? 60 Minutes? Anyone…?
~V5
V5 on February 22, 2007 at 5:28 PM
When the other choice is to send cards to the wounded soldiers wishing for their death then yes, a $3 Chinese magnetic ribbon is better. But then, they’re just mercenaries, so who really cares as long as Bush gets it in the end, right honora?
V5,
What about allowing veterans the ability to choose their own medical care? Give them vouchers equal to the level of benefits promised them as veterans.
spmat on February 22, 2007 at 6:14 PM
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