Letters To The Editor: Like Any Bureaucracy, The VA Has Problems
Like Any Bureaucracy, The VA Has Problems
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Edward Taylor's letter, "Government Runs Many Things Well," shocked me -- and my jaw absolutely dropped when as an example he cited the VA! My legal practice is devoted to representing veterans before the VA and the Veterans Court.
One letter could not catalog all the problems in this agency, but I note the multiple scandals in the news of late: loss of personal information for millions of veterans, fraudulent claims processing, delays and injustices for recent war veterans. The VA is a massive bureaucracy with all the afflictions of such: understaffing and undertraining, ossified processes and attitudes, vast waste and inefficiency, inconsistent application of regulations, repetitive error and delay in what a judge has called a "hamster wheel" claims process.
Worst of all is the disillusionment wrought by the discrepancy between the promise of a "veteran-friendly" system and the reality: years of delay and error. In response to the frequent plea, "Why is the system so unfair?" I can but shake my head sadly.
The point is not that there are no well-intentioned, hard-working employees at the VA -- there are many. The point is that, by their nature, bureaucracies do not work well, and, because they are produced or influenced by political compromise, government bureaucracies are especially impaired when it comes to efficiency. Maybe health care is in such desperate crisis that we must cede it to the government, but we should not do so believing that it will somehow be more efficient. The VA is a paradigm for how that will assuredly not be true.
Only in a bubble of self-delusion could one think the VA runs "quite well." Of course, the same writer also said our highways are good, so he must not drive the part of I-64 that I drive.
David E. Boelzner.
Richmond.
Army Base Has Seen Other Jewish Chaplains
Editor, Times-Dispatch: I was surprised by the recent news story, "Soldier's Beating Prompts Changes," that said Ft. Benning was adding a Jewish chaplain to its staff as though it were a first-time event.
I commanded a training battalion at Ft. Benning from 1977 to 1978. My assigned chaplain, Ken Leinwand, also served as the post rabbi, then attained the rank of captain and later, colonel. He conducted Sabbath services for the post. Chaplain Leinwand also participated in the dedication of an on-base chapel. His other assignments included service at West Point and concluded with his being named the chaplain for the U.S. Army, Europe.
He credited his success as a chaplain and as a career Army officer to his first assignment to the battalion and his chaplain supervisor -- a Southern Baptist.
J. Walter Shugart III.
Richmond.
Three Books Will Enlighten America
Editor, Times-Dispatch: I'm just a concerned citizen. I'm conservative, yet I hope President Barack Obama succeeds in whatever it is he's doing (most of which I don't understand).
I don't care much for Wall Street or Pennsylvania Avenue, although I realize the roles they play to uphold our society. I compare them both to the Jenga game: As long as you can keep climbing the ladder, the base will support you, and you will stay in the game. But the base eventually crumbles under the pressure and imbalance and you have to rebuild from the ground up.
I believe in national security and national defense. We are living on the razor's edge in this new world of sympathizers who really don't get the whole picture. There are people out there who want to take down everything we stand for.
I challenge everyone to take the time to read three books: Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell, One Second After by William R. Forstchen, and Rules of Deception by Christopher Reich. These books will make you proud, make you cry, and scare the living hell out of you about the true threats we face as a nation. Your views will change and your respect for our military and resolve to support it will be elevated to a higher level. You will understand -- and, more importantly -- you will understand what needs to be done.
Republicans, Democrats, and the media have us tied into knots. We are all Americans first and foremost and we need to start thinking as one in order to get the job done. Turn the Jenga game into a pyramid of strength and support, and we will not fail! But in order to succeed, we have to understand the real threats we face. Read the books. Scott Pettit. Manakin-Sabot.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
“There are some positives re: V.A. facilities and they can be found within growing # of enrollees, up 40% in past few years”...“Perhaps this is due to the fact that President Obama now has us fighting in two wars.“
Perhaps not. Per Congressional Budget Office, the 40% increase began Jan 2001 with 3.5 million enrollees and as of Y2007 there were 5 million (and growing), meaning it (the +40% increase in enrollees) occured before Jan 20, 2009 and start of President Obama’s administration. Perhaps someone utters from high-octane emotions, rather than calm logical research of facts?
One has first-person knowledge of quality of care at McGuire Center? Really? Well, if such care is sub-par, based on one’s personal experience as a wounded combat Vet who has experienced poor care at McGuire and/or other V.A. Centers and who has spouse who sees the sub-par care at McGuire, one will surely help other Vets by advising us results from V.A. Office of Inspector General’s office as to your complaints and answers from I.G.‘s office.
If you have not gotten support from I.G’s office, we all want to help. So, advise. What did they say?
We can appreciate the experience the attorney expresses. After all, his practice focuses primarily in Veterans Benefits Law. He hears only the bad and rightfully, fights for Vets’ rights, outcome of which is of financial self-benefit, as should be. Hopefully, his letter will serve as source for disadvantaged Vets to contact for representation. Do not look at the letter as part advertisement of where to go for a lawyer, but do consider the firm’s expertise in their specialty.
Of all the tort reform some clamor about, when you personally get hosed, you appreciate a good attorney. So, let’s not hear any knocks about his firm of attorney’s devoted to Veterans’ rights. For Vets getting a raw deal, visit: http://www.veteransbenefitgroup.com
Likewise, be aware of attorneys who specialize in attacking for-profit-only health insurers. American Medical Association receives billions of $’s in settlements from UnitedHealth, BCBS, Humana, Cigna, Aetna, etc for fraudulent physicians’ claim denied. They have the clout of size to get justice. What about you, a single patient? When you get hosed by insurance profiteers, and you will, if not already, get yourself the best darn attorney you can find, because whoever you do get, your opponent will still have more clout than you. The pirates opposing you and your health care needs can fight you for years until you either give up and settle for pennies on the dollar…or die. You’ll have better success fighting non-profit segment than the profiteers. They’ll be more human compassion involved with one vs. the other that looks at you simply as a disposable asset when you pay them for possible need and disposable liability when you truly need them.
There are some positives re: V.A. facilities and they can be found within growing # of enrollees, up 40% in past few years. Perhaps this newspaper will visit Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center and interview some patients, print a story. I’ve visited Vets there and have heard only positives. Course, I was not looking for clients, but if I was an attorney specializing in Vets’ rights, I would. Wronged Vets deserve their rights, even right to choose the V.A. over for-profit-only insurers.
I’m conservative, yet I hope President Barack Obama succeeds in whatever it is he’s doing (most of which I don’t understand).
What an absolutely ridiculous statement.
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement