Health care concerns remain with local vets

U.S. military veterans and their families have addressed concerns over Veteran's Administration (VA) hospital-provided healthcare since the issue came to light last winter. Concerns over waiting times, canceled appointments and other issues as well as reported "back log lists" and veteran deaths at VA facilities in Arizona, South Carolina, and Wyoming have led to shake-ups in the administration and the resignation of former VA secretary Eric Shinseki in May.

Locally, veterans have expressed complaints due to heath care they have experienced at the VA hospital in Reno and other local VA-operated community clinics.

"I needed an ID card and had to resubmit a request two times. Then I was told I couldn't qualify because I made too much money. I served my country from 1958-1962 and I was promised free medical care for life. There was nothing in the contract that said 'depending on how much money you make' so that should no longer be a consideration," said Jack Arries, 74, of Lovelock, who served in the U.S. Navy.

The VA operates health care facilities in 22 regions, called the Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) and directs more than 1,700 medical centers and community clinics and a host of other services for veterans with an annual operating budget of nearly $153 billion for fiscal year 2014. In response to the recent problems, President Obama signed legislation earlier this month that earmarked a nearly $10 billion increase for the upcoming fiscal year for VA health care services.

The local VA medical facility had begun addressing concerns to improve service prior to the news of reported health care issues.

"Even before the news blew up about the waiting times, we were already in the process of addressing how we could improve service to our veterans. Typically, they should not have to wait longer than 15 minutes to see their doctor," said Fran White, assistant chief of staff at VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare in Reno.

For veterans seeking healthcare for the first time at the Reno facility, White also responded that protocols are in place to help facilitate the visits.

"We have a dedicated team to helping those veterans who are here for the first time, especially. They can be registered and seen on the same day. It used to be that they would have to return for their appointment, but that is no longer the case."

There have been problems that vets have experienced at other health care facilities as well.

"I don't know why, when I go to Fallon, I can't get an X-ray. It's ridiculous that they're giving bonuses out and we can't get a machine there," remarked U.S. Army veteran Larry McAllister, 60, who was visiting Lovelock from Reno.

Although the vast majority (approximately 94 percent, according to the VA) of veterans are male, female veterans, too, have expressed concerns over healthcare.

"There are privacy issues with healthcare with consideration to females," noted Lovelock native and Air Force veteran Wiletta Reid. "I drive in excess of 150 miles round-trip and I have trouble getting a mammogram there, so that's a problem."

Besides medical care issues, just finding a place to park at the sprawling facility in Reno is a problem for some - including Jack Pardick, 67, Winnemucca.

"I've been seeing doctors there at the VA since 1998, and overall, the care has been good. The problem I have is the waste of money. They've been building a parking garage for three years now; it's a waste of money - why didn't they build it right in the first place ... why spend if you don't have to? It's just an endless waste of money it seems," Pardick said.

White also stated that currently each of the 117 general care physicians sees about 1,200 patients in his or her caseload. Additionally, there are 17 teams of 12 staff members in primary care services who serve approximately 30,545 patients at the Reno facility yearly - an increase of 7.1 percent over the past year.

John Louthan, a 67-year-old Battle Mountain resident and Navy veteran said that he hasn't yet needed VA medical services but has heard of the recent news regarding substandard medical care.

"(I've) been fortunate not to need the VA services but I know it's been a problem. I'd imagine it'd be an issue."

Besides the Reno medical center, the VISN-21 service area also includes community clinics in Gardnerville and Fallon.



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