SweetCans928 t1_j1k8ckj wrote on December 25, 2022 at 12:59 AM

Reply to comment by quiettryit 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

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 on December 25, 2022 at 1:52 AM

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 on December 25, 2022 at 2:57 AM

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 on December 25, 2022 at 3:12 AM

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.