opinion

Veterans deserve better health care system

A secret wait list at a VA hospital in Phoenix, uncovered in 2014, was blamed for at least 40 deaths. The report indicated that 1,400 to 1,600 sick veterans were forced to wait months to see a doctor.

The Center for Investigative Reporting published a report in 2014 that showed the Tomah VA Medical Center was severely over-prescribing narcotic drugs to the veterans who came to Tomah for care. The story also brought to light the death of a Stevens Point native who died while in the care of the Tomah VA, where he was prescribed a mix of more than a dozen medications.

And last month, a Gannett Central Wisconsin Media investigation revealed that the Wisconsin Rapids VA Clinic has not accepted new patients in more than two years, forcing central Wisconsin veterans to drive up to an hour each way to receive care.

The local clinic blames staffing shortages for the problem. A VA clinic in Wausau and other facilities across the country also are facing shortages of doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Something must be done, and soon, to ensure that our veterans – those who risked their lives to serve and protect our country – receive the medical care they need, when they need it.

This week, U.S. Rep Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, introduced a bill that would provide cash incentives to attract medical staff to rural VA medical centers, which have been forced to cut back on services because they've had a hard time recruiting medical professionals.

“This is a matter of fairness to our veterans – they served our country, and they deserve proper health care,” Kind said in a statement.

This is a good start, but we know this legislation – if eventually enacted – would take a long time to produce results and will not entirely solve the problems with the VA health care system.

One option that we urge the Veterans Administration to explore is to allow veterans to visit a medical facility of their choosing that could then bill the VA system. It would help alleviate the ongoing problems associated with doctor shortages and it would allow veterans to get immediate care at a facility near their home.

Yes, VA “Choice Cards” that allow veterans to seek health care outside the VA health system exist, but in the past two weeks several local veterans have expressed frustrations through email and phone calls to us about the red tape and exceptions associated with this program.

We believe the federal government should look for alternatives to the current system, and many Gannett Central Wisconsin Media readers agree.

"I think it’s time that vets are allowed to use local medical facilities and the services would be paid for by the VA. Go to Riverview, show your VA card and bill the VA just as you would an insurance company,” wrote one commenter on Facebook.

“How much serious thought has been given to the possibility of providing every qualified veteran with a medical card that can be used at ANY medical facility in the nation? It seems to be working out with Medicare, BadgerCare and every health insurance company. … Would this not be a highly efficient and fair way to provide veterans with a higher level of health care without as much travel, hardship, bureaucracy and worry? I would think everyone agrees that they certainly deserve it,” wrote another.

The time to act is now, before another preventable tragedy occurs.