I have three questions for the vets that use VA Hospitals.

1) Do you consider yourself as having health insurance?

2) Do you consider the VA as quality health care?

3) If you have insurance through your work, would you rather use that or the VA Hospital?

No
No
And no way!

Thanks for answering.

Would you care to say why?

I had a nasty experience after I was discharged. Lets just say I think the Dr. would have been a better trashman.

I've only been to the VA a couple of times and it seems like it went pretty well

easy in easy out and nobody got hurt

But then why didn't you go back?

I have superb insurance, thru work.

I've never used a veteran's medical program.

I do visit the joint military medical center, daily, during work, and it was voted the best joint military medical center, for 2007, according to its banner.
It's an efficient place, run like a business, with lots of high tech stuff, and good medical personnel. There are rows of waiting seats, for all ages and active/inactive/dependent persons, and several service windows, and a pharmacy. It would remind you of an airport boarding area, or a modern motor vehicles processing area, with televisions going and spiffy decor, etc.

So...it's a businesslike mass processing center that is hard at work with everyone, from pre-natal through pre-graveside services. And it is BUSY.

On the PLUS side, everyone has something in common, even as strangers, by association with the military. Also, there is an unspoken yet clear standard of dress and behavior that is obvious. (If you've never experienced behavior of individuals in that context, it is difficult to visualize.)

I do not intend to use veteran's benefits, aside from a pine casket...or an urn...and a flag.
I avoid being a burden upon taxpayers, for so long as that is within my power.

Heres the way i see it.I put 10 years into the Army.I will use the VA if it is due to a military injury.I draw A disability check every month,i have friends who did,but they got cut off because the VA felt they were able to carry on without their help.No its not insurance(although could be)cheaper than a DR or Hospital.The VA offers the best quality care they can with what the government funds them. My little brother just returned home from Iraq and they have been great with him(unlike what the Vietnam Vets or the storm vets got.So,i think i will keep on using the VA for my issues. I will apologize for those who disagree with me upfront.

I used to work in a VA Hospital. I know quite a few people that could use it. Many don't.

I was discussing this with someone this evening. They said it was health insurance to them. I think of it as a clinic.
They thought it was quality care. I disagreed.

So...I was curious as to how other vets viewed the VA.

The VA hospitals are like any other hospitals.You go to places like Norfolk and some of the other lower income cities and the hospitals are probably old and a little run down.You go to San diego or Seattle and the hospitals are probably newer.When I was in the Navy we had our own mini hospital on the ship and we could go for what ever we needed.When I lived on the base I had my wisdom teeth removed and out of the office in less than 10 minutes.I don't think any private dentist could do that.One thing I loved about military hospitals is the people are doing it not to make money because they are all on a set pay scale.You will be treated fairly and quickly.If I had to rate them against a normal hospital I would say they are better in general.

I type for doctors and I know the VA will send their patients back to our doctors to get new prescriptions for cheaper medications because they won't cover the more costly ones, they seem to pretty much require generics from what I have seen. Some of the patients need more potent drugs or newer drugs and the VA will not cover them. I have one Dr. who has written letters to the VA asking them to make an exception for his patient because he needed the more expensive drug, but it didn't work.

I hope they are better than the used to be, I used to hear horror stories about VA hospitals and I certainly think our vets deserve better than what they used to get.

Unless it's a service related injury the VA will charge you like any other hospital. Answer----NO!

2) Do you consider the VA as quality health care?


If I have to pay Id just as soon go to a civilian hospital. Answer--The quality for price is worth the use of a civilian medical facility.

3) If you have insurance through your work, would you rather use that or the VA Hospital?


I would rather pay more taxes to get equal coverage for all Americans!

It is basic but very limited at times Health Care
My meds have been cut with cost/budget given as main reason.

Specialist at times, Testing, etc are as good as most. General Outpatient care sucks. To much red tape and budget concerns that affect patients.

VA is free mostly, so I use it.
I think I would rather have non VA doctor for normal general practice and use the va for specialist, tests, and other things.

I use to brag about the care I recieved at the VA up until about four years ago and the care, atmosphere, attitudes and everything mostly went to chit. So I tend to use non VA care when I can and use the VA for others.

If you have insurance and can handle the copays or whatever, Non VA care is the best option

If you don't have any insurance then VA is better than nothing.

I am fortunate to have access the both , VA care is different as to costs for different vets. some have co -pays, some dont'. lots of rules, regs and red tape.

Yes, yes, and yes. If I needed them I'd use them. But have paid most expenses out of pocket and insurance over last 10 years.

Hell no!
VA is fourth on the food chain for doctors. Some places have good hospitals, but not in Georgia. I wouldn't take my dogs to them.

I have went to the VA for non service related injuries or illness's and the only thing they charge me for is 5 percent of my meds,and they just hold that from my disability check.I had a heart attack in 1997,was taken by Ambulance to the VA. The VA covered my ambulance fee's plus what they did while i was in there. You wont hear me complain it.Different strokes for different folks i guess. It is also like someone posted earlier,it depends on what city,or state your in. OKC,OK has treated my very well with everything i have needed. I go in once a year for a physical,and i am in and out.

I use the va hospital out here in so. cali. And I am happy with the service I get. Im usually in and out in no time.

I would use one but seeing as I have 2 of these things called kids I have insurance thru my work and its good insurance so I just use that.
Plus I've been fortunate enough to be healthy (nock on wood) and havent had a need for a hospital since I've been out of the Army.

Plus my grandfather a WW-2 vet used the VA
also my uncle a Vietman vet uses the VA
And both of them never had any problems and were well taken care of

I only use the VA Hospital when I have to go once a year for them to look at my knees. I am required to do that due to the injuries I suffered in a car accident when I was in the Marines. Other than that I don't utilize it. Why? Well it takes months to get an appointment for the basic things like physicals and such. Also finding a hospital in a non-military city is not all that easy as well. In Upstate NY, where I am originally from I would have to drive over an hour to the nearest hospital and for the most part I was treated horribly. The VA staff is overworked and under paid.

It is terrible that there is not more funding for taking care of Veterans, but I am way better off using my insurance offered by my employer.

It's interesting to see that side of the situation. Thank you, Marie.