Firstly, I'm SO sorry to hear you got hit with Covid!! yikes. My 3-week case really hit hard. I hope you are on the mend and feeling stronger each day.
Thank you for this dive. I addressed our failings towards vets in 2021 ("Before We Celebrate Another Holiday") and am pleased that you offer additional resources and thoughts I never considered. We absolutely fail our vets in this country on so many levels and it seems unconscionable to me. I'm absolutely amazed every time funding for the VA gets cut during the budget process - and Republicans are largely doing the cutting!! Additionally, even updating the VA medical records system (terribly antiquated and not fully automated) is a $16 BILLION project that is not going well. All this and yet our country does a whole lot of flag flying and verbal thanks. But honestly, What would it take for us to make vets a priority? :(
Love your incredibly thoughtful comment, Jan! I'm on the mend, but was really surprised with the diagnosis since I had escaped it for the last 3.5 years.
I've never been thrilled with the "Thanks for Your Service" and the flag waving without enough substance behind it. Thanks for pointing out your post on the issue—I'm eager to learn from it! From what I've read, the process to apply for VA benefits is an overly complicated one, not dissimilar to applying for other government benefits, which is atrocious. On the positive side, I didn't realize the VA hospital system was so extensive and touched so many new doctors with their residency programs and expertise. When federal government budget cuts are pushed, the huge benefits lost are never fully discussed—it's all about saving money.
Residents are great for their eagerness, energy, and fresh eyes. They are, however, also quite underpaid and overworked - and - a system built almost entirely on residents reduces a certain continuity of care, which is especially important to a population that is more likely to experience repeat visits. And yes, the depth and breadth of how budget cuts affect care are not discussed. We've become anesthetized frogs in hot water, unable to respond appropriately. And this affects us all, not just veterans. :/
Yes, it does affect all of us, but I am finding it extremely difficult to communicate that idea. The "continuity of care" concept is vitally important, and so many people don't have that privilege.
Firstly, I'm SO sorry to hear you got hit with Covid!! yikes. My 3-week case really hit hard. I hope you are on the mend and feeling stronger each day.
Thank you for this dive. I addressed our failings towards vets in 2021 ("Before We Celebrate Another Holiday") and am pleased that you offer additional resources and thoughts I never considered. We absolutely fail our vets in this country on so many levels and it seems unconscionable to me. I'm absolutely amazed every time funding for the VA gets cut during the budget process - and Republicans are largely doing the cutting!! Additionally, even updating the VA medical records system (terribly antiquated and not fully automated) is a $16 BILLION project that is not going well. All this and yet our country does a whole lot of flag flying and verbal thanks. But honestly, What would it take for us to make vets a priority? :(
Love your incredibly thoughtful comment, Jan! I'm on the mend, but was really surprised with the diagnosis since I had escaped it for the last 3.5 years.
I've never been thrilled with the "Thanks for Your Service" and the flag waving without enough substance behind it. Thanks for pointing out your post on the issue—I'm eager to learn from it! From what I've read, the process to apply for VA benefits is an overly complicated one, not dissimilar to applying for other government benefits, which is atrocious. On the positive side, I didn't realize the VA hospital system was so extensive and touched so many new doctors with their residency programs and expertise. When federal government budget cuts are pushed, the huge benefits lost are never fully discussed—it's all about saving money.
I agree - contracting Covid is a shock. Ugh!!
Residents are great for their eagerness, energy, and fresh eyes. They are, however, also quite underpaid and overworked - and - a system built almost entirely on residents reduces a certain continuity of care, which is especially important to a population that is more likely to experience repeat visits. And yes, the depth and breadth of how budget cuts affect care are not discussed. We've become anesthetized frogs in hot water, unable to respond appropriately. And this affects us all, not just veterans. :/
Yes, it does affect all of us, but I am finding it extremely difficult to communicate that idea. The "continuity of care" concept is vitally important, and so many people don't have that privilege.