VA Employees Reach out to Veteran

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3073

VA Employees Reach out to Veteran
by: S Driessel
Wed Aug 19, 2009 at 13:19:00 PM EDT

(Always good to see success stories about the VA reaching out to meet Veterans' needs. - promoted by Richard Smith)


It's been a few years since I attempted to make an appointment at the VA, and I had all but given up on the organization as a viable healthcare option. I started to reconsider, though, when I saw other female veterans pointing out discrepancies in the VA system. I was privileged to see my best friend, Kayla Williams, speak on behalf of all female veterans at a Senate hearing a couple months ago. It was encouraging to see so many people gathered in one room with the same goal: improve the care for female veterans at VA hospitals and clinics.

With that in mind, I contacted a local Veterans Center a couple of days ago and inquired about getting an appointment to see a doctor. I was transferred to several different offices, and spoke with a few individuals who didn't know the answer to my questions. It appeared there was no one who could get me the appointment I needed at a time that worked for my family and me.

Rather than give up, I went back to the VA website and located the "contact us" page. At
this point, I didn't know if I really was the only woman facing these obstacles, but I couldn't believe that was actually the case. I wrote a long, detailed suggestion and submitted it, fully expecting my proposal to be thrown out or overlooked.

You know what, though? It wasn't.

A few days ago, I received a phone call from a field agent working for the VHA (Veterans Health Administration.) I really wish I could remember her name. She stated that she worked for Dr. Patty Hayes, Chief consultant for Women Veterans Health, and that she was calling to follow up on a suggestion I made on the VA website. I was amazed to get a phone call rather than some generic-email response: "Please do not respond to this email. This is a courtesy letter to thank you for your input, etc." Instead, I heard from a real person. This awesome lady gave me the number for the director of the women's clinic in my area, and thanked me for my service. She went on to say that the VA was looking into the possibility for drop-in child care in some of the larger hospitals, the two obstacles at this time being liability and funding issues. She said that there were other veterans like me, and that there was no excuse for the VA not meeting the needs of a growing population of veterans.
Needless to say, it was good to hear that I wasn't alone.

And today I heard from the team leader at the local Vet Center (These are centers that provide care for combat vets and veterans who have suffered Military Sexual Trauma.) Mr. Tim Davis called to apologize on behalf of the Veteran Center. Mr. Davis was extremely helpful, and explained that the Veteran's Center does, in fact, have evening appointments. He stated that he would give my number to his clinician, and that I would be getting a call from her later that day. I did get that call, and after 3 ½ years, I was able to make an appointment after 4:30 pm. Amazing what a difference one little suggestion can make!

So, if you think that you're the only one dealing with an issue, I can almost guarantee that you aren't. Use the suggestion box on the VA website or keep calling until you reach someone that does have the answer. Don't ignore the fact that you need care. If you ask a question or make a suggestion on the website, in my experience someone will get back to you and get you the help you need.

This proves government can't manage health care!