quiettryit t1_j1jvboo wrote
Reply to comment by forgot_to_growup in Spending bill secures funds for Native American health care. Access to health care for Native Americans across the U.S. will be bolstered with funding included in a government spending bill approved by Congress. by Sariel007
We already do it to every single retired military person, providing platinum medical care to them, their spouses and children... In addition to paying most thousands per month in disability while still allowing them to work full time. Ass to that education benefits that they can give to their spouse or children.
Antennae89 t1_j1k1lq0 wrote
I'm sorry but no, "platinum care" couldn't be farther from the truth. Tens of thousands of retired military and war veterans are denied benefits or stuck in never ending run around referrals to get benefits or disabilities approved. In the military we call Tri-care (the military insurance), Try And Get Us to Care.
Have some hope with the recently passed bill allocating enough budget to increase VA benefits 22% to help more much needed vets.
B_Mac4607 t1_j1k0x76 wrote
If only thats how it worked for most retired military. The VA, “ looks like your spine has broken in 3 places due to your successful ejection from a malfunctioning F-13. I’ll send the forms over and we can get you a back brace in about 6 months.”
NothingFirstCreate t1_j1l28xk wrote
I get this is just an example but — the VA secretly knows on the low that your claim about ejecting from an “F-13” is made up. That’s why they denied the claim. Fun fact — the USAF never had an F-13 fighter designation in use. So, unless it was a Junkers F-13 manufactured in 1919 by Germany, they’d likely call fraud on this particular claim tongue in cheek
SweetCans928 t1_j1k8ckj wrote
I had a similar conversation with a VA employee recently(and I'm a retired vet myself), and he was saying something similar. "We already have a system in place." Yeah not the best, but at least it's a functional model to start with. I'm very grateful that I don't ever have to worry about healthcare stuff like a lot of Americans do. The VA has had my back 100% of the time and I never have to wait very long for anything.
quiettryit t1_j1ke0lk wrote
I'm glad you're honest about this, a lot of veterans like to act like they are getting some third world care when in fact it's better than most private insurance and far cheaper. I worked with a guy that made $80k+/yr as a GS civil service employee, while also 100% disabled getting $42k+ tax free per year, in addition to healthcare for themselves and their families, easily valued at another $20k/yr. And in Florida disabled veterans at that level also don't have to pay property taxes.
SweetCans928 t1_j1kkoqe wrote
And here I am constantly wracked with guilt over what I'm taking from the system lol. And you're right; I've heard that same cynical perspective from fellow vets more than a few times. I kinda get where the perception comes from("you guys did XYZ in good faith for your nation and now the gubment is gonna drag their feet with your treatment?"), but just because something doesn't work as well as it could or even should, does not mean it is trash.
On top of getting paid every month so that I don't have to work if I don't want to(I don't lol), I've gotten every kind of treatment I needed and thensome. Tons of psyche stuff, but also optical, dental, back stuff, whatever I've needed help with. They have also helped get me into housing programs when I was on the streets for a bit, have helped by getting me into fun programs like Drum Circle, and free medication. And yeah some of the employees DGAF but you'll find that anywhere, and on the flipside of that token I've met tons of compassionate, caring people at the VA.
And when I was stuck in a cycle of self-destruction and kept finding myself in the VA psyche ward with suicidal ideations, feeling guilty over like my seventh stay in about a three year span, a nurse there told me "Even if you have to come back here a hundred times, we are here to help you through it with open arms and a compassionate ear" which really meant a ton to me at the time.
That seventh trip was one of my last trips in a long time, so I guess she was right that I didn't need to kill myself to extricate myself from so many negative feelings. Thank you blonde VA nurse!
quiettryit t1_j1km6yn wrote
Thank you so much for sharing that, you really do offer a great perspective! I'm a civilian and pay $17k/yr for health insurance with a $7k out of pocket for the family. It also takes me months to see a specialist and doesn't include dental or vision. I have permanent disabilities due to lack of treatment from military doctors, ironically, when I was a toddler and my dad was in the air force. I get nothing from that and can't sue even though it was malpractice. I struggle to work and provide for my family. I get almost no psyche benefits and struggle. It feels like a black hole with no real help available. I don't fault veterans for getting their benefits, I just wish something could be done for civilians who try so hard and struggle. I'm glad you were able to get the help you needed and are doing better! I appreciate your service and hope that it world gets better for everyone in the future.
forgot_to_growup t1_j1l3s2b wrote
I worked as a civilian nurse at an army hospital. Active Duty personnel and Veterans received excellent care that was on par or better than civilian hospitals. The staff were also treated better and not worked to the bone the way they are at for profit private hospitals. Conservatives keep pouring the Kool Aid and their constituents greedily drink it up.
Willow-girl t1_j1lbqql wrote
Two of my husbands were former military and had to deal with the VA in two different states. It was a nightmare. I'm glad to hear the facility you worked at was a good one but that isn't universal.
forgot_to_growup t1_j1o1wih wrote
Maybe it depends on the state. Working in healthcare in red and blue states is very different. Blue states are much better.
Willow-girl t1_j1olhud wrote
Both were in blue states, MI and PA.
forgot_to_growup t1_j26egoe wrote
Trump won the first time in both of those states. Biden only won narrowly in 2020.
Willow-girl t1_j27ic2x wrote
Trump's 2016 win in Michigan was the first time Michiganders went Republican for POTUS in nearly a quarter-century. Pennsylvania's registered voters are 49% Democrat to 37% Republican.
quiettryit t1_j1mkpr4 wrote
I don't think they understand how bad medical care is in the civilian sector. Waiting months to see a specialist, paying thousands for minor procedures in addition to thousands per month in premiums and many doctors not even accepting new patients. We had to drive 5 hours before to find an in network specialist. The nurses and doctors were indeed burned out as it's like a warzone in civilian hospitals too while military and VA facilities had so many employees that many could just sit and hang out most being civil service and Public employees or contractors. They want everyone to think they are so abused, but if that's true then just look at the care everyday civilians deal with on a daily basis.
forgot_to_growup t1_j1o1hul wrote
All true. Sad that politicians use lies to secure their jobs.
[deleted] t1_j1kylhc wrote
[removed]
GrislyGrape t1_j1k14u9 wrote
Or their tribes can pay for it with the money they take in from casinos. It's a racket, just like non natives.
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