War wrote on Feb 9, 2008 11:14 AM:
" Let us not forget those individuals who were executed in 9/11 and those americans who were beheaded. How soon we forget. I read articles daily on the obscentities that are enacted upon other human beings. We have investments there in oil, in mankind and in keeping the war on their soil. Its never black and white and it will always have political and financial motivations. "
Article wrote on Feb 9, 2008 11:09 AM:
" The Readers Digest has an interesting article out investigating Physicians practices. You would sincerely be floored by everyday practice, lawsuit and settlements that are not documented or reported to the national database. It appears the govt reports on itself is the only reason we know about the VA incident. I find this very scary what must happen all the time in private practice and is just settled with money. Perhaps the media could do the people a favor and investigate private practice incidents... ooops the media would probably be sued for liable and possibly wrecking some docs reputations. I would still like to know! "
"TOMORROW TOMORROW,YESTERDAY, WE START TODAY FOREVER wrote on Feb 8, 2008 9:11 PM:
" I worked in government funded health care for years and I certainly was very good at it. I enjoyed being a good helper. I've seen glamerous doctors at work as well make major mistakes. I had very little problems with clients, and nothing but problems with staff, insurance and the government systems. It all will fall as such love of lies and greedy control is root all evil, as it is written about all. After watching the works of our government system; insurance companies; doctors not caring about hard workers dying; and my own knowlege of my many painful medical conditions at such a young age, and after years of visiting many physicans and specialist; I decided along time ago that my health would be better if I stopped the visits and took all matters to the Great Physcian. For years, I've personal thought and said that the government should own and oversee everything without wavering, taking full responsibility for all the wrongful acts at all times. False science and gambling is a form of socery, especially with lies of greed are involved. "Great Babylon," in the biblical days had the most worldly riches, being the wicked city with many gods, and was even destroyed just as God gave warning and prophecy. It happened in a very short time. It certainly made more and more sense to trust God as I watched ignorance, listen to lies as one blames another, another, and another, going on and on without end, while truth never being taught nor learned, and finally, listening to lies of money and false science that kills, spiritual and physically, In God I truly trust, for God does not and can't lie, and he truly cares about Life as it is truly matter. It is also written to trust no, not even our self, for our own hearts can deceice us, only trust in God. Basically I'm working on and doing what the bible states, to buy the truth and sale it not; otherwise I will lack control as most dysfunctional families do when having the father and big brother of all lies controlling ones matters. If that is a government with freedom to choose, I believe that we are all better off with out it, especially in the end. Still I am presuing my happiness in life, with my promised blessing, while doing good works, and fighting a good fight of faith, with prayers of a better tomorrow, not just for my childrens children children, but for all of God's children. I have more than a dream, and or vision, that is that we all be a slave to God, as He is the ONE TRUE MASTER, and we our just slaves and masters that are not to forget it. Now that was the original, and is the true, torch to be held for guidence in light, not a counterfit in darkness. The Father, Son, Holy Spirit/Ghost, and the personal relationships are spiritual written in ink on tablets and in the hidden parts (mind/heart/soul/). They are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Come to feast and eat the hidden manna(spiritual soul food). All statements are spiritual writtings of truth written in the Holy Book Of Life. "
Fed Up wrote on Feb 8, 2008 8:54 PM:
" As a VA employ, it's frustrating that they hire, and keep some of the doctors they have. The majority of the doctors and surgeons there are very good, but some are awful. We have vacancies sometimes for months or more, because they don't make a fraction of what they do in the private sector, so why come there? A lot of the doctors have retired from the private sector, and come there. I have worked in the private sector for years before coming to the VA, and Kohls Holes is right, you wouldn't believe some of things that happen there, that you never hear about, because they aren't monitored and regulated like the VA is. Bottom line, the administrator and chief of staff should have put a stop to it long ago, but chose not to, and swept it under the rug. That's "good ole boy mentality" for you!!! They dropped the ball, and deserve what they got!! As a nurse, I take great pride in the care that I give to our veterans, but find it so frustrating, and feel that our hands are tied in so many ways. There are so many ways that we could provide even better care if allowed to. But let me tell you, it's all about the numbers! One doctor and nurse can't see 30 patients in an 8 hour day. Not without working through lunch, and feeling like you're just herding them through like cattle, not human beings. How can you possibly give good patient care that way? But hey, I'm sure the suits get a good bonus at the end of the year! "
To Tina wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:08 PM:
" Wake up and smell the coffee! You are delusional. If you think that people are better off using Medicare in the private sector then you need some serious educating! The care is no better there, there just might be more options for some. As for Shimkus' letter, I don't believe you. If it's true, allow the Southern to publish it scanned in its original form. I'm no Shimkus fan, but he wouldn't be that stupid. You're just angry that he didn't jump on your bandwagon. You have no credibility. "
Toplayor wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:45 PM:
" Read a book or two about this war. This war is about OIL! It has nothing to do with Osama. If he had not appeared on the scene we would have invented him. American Government needed an enemy to replace Russia. How else are the politicians going to funnel tax dollars to the Military Industrial Complex? You might also try reading Eisenhower's farewell speech to the country for references to the coming war without end. The VA does not contribute to political campaigns, so the politicians who fund it don't care. You mister vet who gave all you could, are on your own. Good Luck! "
To Maggie wrote on Feb 7, 2008 5:54 PM:
" This is NOT government medical care! It
is a hospital ran into the ground by
an arrogant director that cared not for
the veterans and only about being a social butterfly. The VA was not in this
shape prior to Morrel. "
Kohls Holes wrote on Feb 7, 2008 2:33 PM:
" This is Medical Care as these people passed the same exams and practices that other medical professionals did or else they would NOT be licensed. This same kind of thing happens in our other hospitals and medical practices. The only exception is that the government fleshes out these issues and seeks inquiries as to what happened, when it happened, and who it happened to. Private corporations can lie and cover up and then use legal loopholes to keep things quite or it never makes it to a newsarticle. Keep this in mind when listening to special interest groups and people who put profit before honor, trust, and the well being of others. "
Tina wrote on Feb 7, 2008 12:37 PM:
" To Maggie Kohls: I believe the answer is to give Veterans medical cards and let them use their own doctors and hospitals close to home. We were able to qualify for medical cards and that is the only reason my husband's health improved because he got good care, close to home. (After he nearly lost his foot due to the poor care he received at Marion VA.) It's not "government health care" that is the problem, it is how it is administered. Medicare is goverment health care but those citizens are allowed to use their own doctors and hospitals close to home and recieve good care without discrimination. "
Tina wrote on Feb 7, 2008 12:29 PM:
" I find it infuriating that our representatives are just now "reacting angrily" to the reports of substandard VA care. I remember writing a letter to Shimkus 4 years ago about the substandard care my husband was receiving at VA and I received a letter back from him basically saying that the government owes us nothing and he should feel "priviledged" that he got to serve his country in this way and that is enough. Now it appears he has jumped on the politically correct bandwagon instead and is "angry" about substandard VA care. PULEEEZE Shimkus, some of us know how you really feel about Veterans getting good care! "
Maggie Kohls wrote on Feb 7, 2008 7:14 AM:
" This is government medical care. Keep this in mind when listening to candidates who want to bring the benefits of goverment medicine to all of us. "
Bush is the REASON wrote on Feb 5, 2008 6:31 PM:
" I am well aware of Bin Laden and his responsibility to 9/11. I also recall his last known whereabouts was Afghanistan and Packistan...not Iraq or Iran! My service was clocked in and paid for on the first go around in the Persian Gulf. This war is nothing like the previous war nor is there any logical reason for us to be in Iraq. The same reasons that prevented us from proceeding to a full blown invasion of Iraq were still there before this go around, but our president lied time and again to get us all lock step with his rhetoric. Well, guess what? That no good bum lied through his teeth and it is his good ol' boys that are cashing it all in on the blood and guts of the greatest asset our country has...our military! My brothers expect honest and integrity from our leaders and when they lie and cheat us, I take it a little personal. We should have NEVER went to Iraq and we should have NEVER stopped focusing on the dog that started this all...Bin Laden! Let's get focused on our primary objective and quit fighting political wars! "
Another Vet wrote on Feb 4, 2008 11:27 AM:
" Usually you will find those that protest wars are the ones that dont have the guts to fight or join the military themselves. The "its not our war" thinking. Well guess what....terrorists are a threat to our country every single day. At the least, humanity is at stake in those countries....human beings are worth it. Apparently, you are worth is since you bathe in the freedoms of the US. No one is perfect, not the military leaders, not the VA leaders but its congress that holds the key now that there is an awareness of the problems presented by funding. Will this pass silently by as well? "
To Jim wrote on Feb 4, 2008 7:02 AM:
" Some of those "knuckleheads" serving the veterans are veterans themselves. And for those who are criticizing the VA as being "socialized medicine", or saying the vets should get "federal health care," you obviously are unaware that the VA outperforms the private sector in all areas, including quality. It might behoove you to do your homework before you come on here preaching-like a bunch of knuckleheads. "
TO ALL wrote on Feb 4, 2008 6:49 AM:
" The mess at the Marion is not due to
anyone or anthing other than Morrel and
some of the other department chiefs.
They were only concerned with the
bottom dollar and getting their bonuses.
Morrel was a dictator not a director!
Anyone who says otherwise didn't work at the VA or was one of his buddies that he let have their way and shove their workers around. Now we need to make sure he isn't replaced with another jerk that doesn't care about veterans. "
disabled veteran wrote on Feb 3, 2008 4:22 PM:
" To the moron called Bush is the REASON
some of us went to IRAQ and are now disabled from it.....when did u go to there and who made u GOD? I have been to more than one war and am disabled now thanks to the wars i went to. If you want to solve the problem than do something besides blaming the President. Until then with all due respect....quit acting like the lazyboy commando you seem to be....some of us went there...DID U??? "
(To) Bush is reason wrote on Feb 3, 2008 9:10 AM:
" Can you say Osama Bin Laden? If it was not for this man the middle east conflict would have not been started! Do you remember how many Osama killed on 9\11? Or would you rather be fighting the war on u.s. ground? You remind me of the person that wants a new car but gets tired of the payments after 6 mo. So your new car gets repo. "
Jim wrote on Feb 2, 2008 9:32 PM:
" Yes! The VA is a picture of what socialized universal healthcare will be! I have not been happy with any visit to the VA and if this is what Hillary's plan is for the entire country she is going to have some very angry people out there! "
Jim wrote on Feb 2, 2008 9:29 PM:
" Voice our complaints about Durbin? He didn't create this problem! This is the first intelligent thing I have heard Durbin say. If we didn't have knucleheads working on our veterans we wouldn't have this problem. "
Bush is the REASON wrote on Feb 2, 2008 1:11 PM:
" Bush is the reason that there are now so many new customers for the VA to hack on. If you are going to get mad, then focus on the dumbest, most incompetent president that this country has ever scene...and it's thanks to the dumb people like you that elected him...TWICE!! If you like Bush, then you should have some sense of honor and volunteer to go to Iraq and fight in the war that YOU HELPED CREATE!! If you did, and you came back, then YOU should sign up to go again...and again...and again!! "
Pete Peterson wrote on Feb 2, 2008 1:09 PM:
" While I haven't lived in southern illinois for many years my friends who use the Marion VA hospital do.
I retired from the VA system and yes "IT'S BROKE". No amount of hand wringing or oversight will ever bring this system to a level that equals a rural health system.
Having worked in the medical, hospital field for almost 50 years and as a employee of some the finest health care providers in the world it can be done. The money spent by the VA should provide world class medical care to our deserving vets. I am one.
You want to save money and clean this mess up. Offer vetsFederal health care, just like the civil service and congress has access to.
Turn blocks of VA hospitals over to health providers that know qualty of care and know that their performace will affect their profit line.
This would allow vets to choose their own heath care provider. The Vaopuldn't need to be attempting to fill it'staff positions staff that wouldn't be working someplace else.
I don't know if will ever be fixed in my lifetme we can always hope.
GOD BLESS OUR VETS "
Me wrote on Feb 2, 2008 9:52 AM:
" Nobody has addressed the private practises. I am sure these issues are there also, just as I am sure these VA doctors have not always been VA doctors. Yes, Virginia, they were in the private sector before employment by the VA. Makes you wonder doesn't it? What has led to this problem at the VA is a disfunctional Director with trickle down poor management, and a holier than though attitude, plain and simple. Go ahead, place blame with the government though, and really, really, beleive that the doctor you go to see in the private sector is perfect. Without federal regulation investigating these private docs, you could be seeing Freddy Krueger for all you know. "
The facts wrote on Feb 2, 2008 9:05 AM:
" To BEN- The VA doesn't have rent a cops. The cops are federal police officers that carry guns. Seems to me that you don't have your facts straight. And to the person that wrote health care workers are scum. Well what about the nurses that provide quality care to patients everyday?? The VA has some wonderful nurses, some of the best out there that are working to give people the care they deserve. Don't label everyone as scum when that is simply not true. "
FED UP wrote on Feb 2, 2008 8:24 AM:
" Typical health care, you make me sick. You say that healthcare workers are scum of the earth?? Shame on you! We are the ones there everyday busting our butts trying to provide quality care to our veterans. And I think most would agree that the nurses and other workers provide very good care. We, the bottom feeders at the VA knew, and voiced complaints for over a year that things were not right, and asked for changes, and were always chastised or ignored. Healthcare workers are not scum of the earth, but will admit that some healthcare administration workers ARE!! And, be thankful this is an election year, or our Legislators STILL would not be involved. "
Durbin is the problem??? wrote on Jan 30, 2008 7:03 PM:
" That's right, Durbin's the problem. That is why he will be sued in court and lose, but not the VA. I guess that is why there are dead bodies on his doorsteps, not at the VA. Folks, I don't like Durbin, either, but if he is right he is right. Let everything come out, not dribbled out with one investigation after another so that we can stop these endless investigations and get back to our jobs! "
Durbin's an Idiot wrote on Jan 30, 2008 2:46 PM:
" He's got almost 200 pages of "facts" in the reports released Monday-that's adding "little" to what was already known? He's just got to have something to show his backside with. If he wants more progress, he can step aside and let people do their jobs, and quit stirring up petty crap! Everyone write this idiot a letter and voice your complaints about HIM! "
Give me a break! wrote on Jan 30, 2008 2:38 PM:
" There is no "rationing" of glucose strips, or any "cost cutting" measures in place to restrict the veterans from obtaining needed supplies (in necessary quantities). Where do you come up with this nonsense? "
Typical healt care wrote on Jan 30, 2008 1:05 PM:
" This is just so typical of how the health care system has fallen. America no longer can claim to have the worlds best healthcare. Health care in America is a disgrace as the medical community is ALL about money...nothing else! I've seen first hand how they treat people and the difference only being insurance. How can they sleep at night knowing that they have let people die simply because they didn't have the 'right' insurance. Health care workers rank right up there with lawyers and insurance agents on the scum of earth index. "
watching wrote on Jan 30, 2008 11:57 AM:
" watching. i have tried to keep up with the problems at marion (not very eeasy) yes iam a vet and a retiree
From my vantage point. the major problem is PAY FOR PERFORMANCE!! Greed at the top will always mean less guality!! if a man or woman wants the joband is paid properly they will do thier best. their reputation depends on it. greed starts at the top ALWAYS. "
Quit Lying wrote on Jan 30, 2008 10:54 AM:
" Regarding the glucose test strips: NOT TRUE. Unless you want to put your money where your mouth is and prove it. "
Who's at fault? wrote on Jan 30, 2008 10:32 AM:
" Hey Ben, not having sufficient glucose strips is not 'medical' malpractice. Congress alone funds the VA...so if there's not enough funding for your strips, it's due to 'congressional' malpractice. Problem is Ben, you and I can't sue the guys we elected--which makes this mess your and my fault. Does it not? "
You-Ain't-Seen-Nothin'-Yet wrote on Jan 30, 2008 10:22 AM:
" Since the US Government manages the VA, we can expect a continuation of such bungling once the government takes over what many think they want...Universal Health Care. If our healthcare is questionable now, just wait till the likes of Senators Obama and Durbin start writing and enforcing socialized medicine laws. Such legislation will make past moronic congressional actions such as the pathetically managed “War on Poverty” look like an intelligent, well crafted, panacea of government efficiency. "
John wrote on Jan 30, 2008 9:34 AM:
" Let the Vet have a choice to take his benefits to his regular health care provider and see how many choose the VA. "
to BEN wrote on Jan 30, 2008 9:28 AM:
" go to your pt rep and demand more diabetic strips. i am more than sure that since everything has gone on, they will give you more. "
Ben Flerlage wrote on Jan 30, 2008 8:23 AM:
" Heres another outrage they are now rationing Glucose strips to diabetics. Some patients are told to take their blood readings only once a week. I have had no strips since before Thanksgiving. This is the way to cut costs. How about getting rid of the rude rent a cops. This practice is not only a slap in a face to service connected veterans it's pure cut and dried MALPRACTICE "
VA Employee wrote on Jan 30, 2008 8:07 AM:
" If they are exonerated, I will be livid. And I was generally a supporter of those two prior to the revelations in September. Let's not forget the Chief of Surgery-the report was filled with his excuses and blaming of others for his laziness/incompetence. A lot of the things he ignored were common sense things that anyone with any healthcare knowledge at all would have known to act on. The other two singled out in the report sounded the alarm, but were chastised for doing so. They are good leaders! But those three (Director, COS, Chief of Surgery) failed us, the American public, but most of all-our veterans. "
Durbin wrote on Jan 30, 2008 8:06 AM:
" Has no idea what he is talking about... how is the VA draggings its feet if its under investigation? Plenty has been found out and plenty changes have been made with heads rolling ......... "
BS Shooter wrote on Jan 30, 2008 5:39 AM:
" Does anyone remember when this little gnome compared our troops to Nazis and gulag guards? For Dick Durbin to now pretend that he gives a twit for veterans is an act elevating gross hypocrisy to a new low. "
