The Vetrans Hospital

[jnm]

I am writing this on behalf of many vetrans that use the Vetranss Hospital in Walla Walla, WA. There are many vetrans that travel quite a ways to this Vmac for treatment. They are often sent to other hospitals here or to other Vmac's in Seattle, WA, or Portland Oregon.. These patients do not even have an after hours doctor to go to. They are told to go to the local hospitals after hours. They are then ultimately responsible for those bills, even after informing the local hospitals to bill the Vmac. This has happened to my husband and many other vetrans. The Walla Walla Vmac owns a tremendous section of land here. They have plenty of land to expand to be better able to take care of these vetrans that risked their lives in the military, to serve and protect our country. I feel that they deserve a lot better treatment than what they are getting here. They do not get reimbursed for these costs, unless they are able to pay these bils upfront within one year. Some of these vetrans live on very small pensions. Such as $624.00 for a senior citizen with a 40 % disability. Do you really think this is fair for them? They don't and neither do I. How Are they expected to pay for an ER visit that totals $4,000.00 on such a small pension? I know that there are a lot of vetrans that use this Vmac that feel the same way. My husband and I have talked with many, whom feel the same way. We feel that more should be done to protect and take care of these vetrans. I always thought that the military was supposed to protect the United States. So Please tell us why we spend so much time at WAR? KIlling off our troops or having them wounded for life, unable to even care for themselves. The United States cannot even protect our borders from all the illegal aliens that constantly cross into our country.

[wackychick]

Unfortunately we cannot tell you why we spend so much time at war. We can tell you tho that we are in complete agreement that our Veterans do get the short end of the stick. Our own area VA hospital enjoys less than a stellar reputation with local vets.

It does sound as tho the situation in Walla Walla needs some attention. Around here we all feel very strongly about the fact that often our Vets have way too many hurdles to overcome just to survive on a day to day basis. It is not fair in any sense of the word.

It's ridiculous - how can government both federal and local, continue to allow things to remain as they are? These guys and gals put their lives, limbs, jobs and relationships on the line to do what their government asked of them. Vets sepa***** from, or retired from the military then have to keep their fingers crossed in the hopes that they will be able to get by on what they are paid by the VA (should they not be able to work in the civilan world), and God forbid they should need ongoing medical care of any kind, or become injured and have to depend on the VA hospitals. They need to depend on the VA like we depended on them to serve and do their duty.

The only thing I have seen make a dent in local hospital conditions, vets' living conditions, vet monies disbursed and so on, is television and newspaper publicity - you know, the kind the VA doesn't want. The kind that makes a big temporary stink, and yet still only gets "temporary" results... But sometimes that is the sort of thing that gets the ball rolling.

We surely hope your local situation will improve - hopefully they will expand their facilities and we'll get a good report about it from you. We wish you the best of luck and a big THANKS to your hubby for serving....

[jklm033]

I like this song all the better for seeing this MV.