Personal experience with the VA system

For the past few weeks, I have not been impressed with my own columns. Although I have tried to submit columns with interesting facts and information about military and veterans' issues, I have had some personal distractions with medical problems. This has given me a chance to experience some of the changes implemented to address ridiculous delays in delivering quality health care to veterans.

I first began receiving medical care through the VA in 2001, when Congress had directed the VA to encourage veterans to make the VA their principal health care provider. That was a great idea, except the VA was faced with an increase in its patient load with one war starting in 2001 and a second in 2003. Congress did not allow the VA an increase in the budget to handle the new patients. This was complicated by VA staff shortages and many facilities past due for modernization.

Within the VA itself what I saw were many dedicated employees trying to make the system work despite the problems.

Meanwhile, some in VA management were directing that false information be reported to cover up the problems in delivering health care to veterans. This information finally came to light as a result of whistleblowers, congressional investigations and media publicity.

During my recent problems, I learned that the VA has contracted with TriWest Health Care Alliance to work with the VA in 28 states to deliver health care to veterans from outside the VA system. If the VA cannot provide medical care and treatment in its own facilities, TriWest arranges and schedules medical appointments. In my case, I was scheduled and treated by Barnes Jewish hospital and Washington University physicians in St. Louis. I had several diagnostic procedures at the VA in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, but was sent to John Cochran VA Hospital in St. Louis for additional tests, consultations and treatments.

Every medical person I have dealt with has been friendly, helpful, compassionate and professional. I have had all my appointments scheduled in or near 30 days, and I have not had any long waits when I arrived for appointments. Based on personal experience, things are improving in the VA Health Care System. Let us hope the improvements continue.

Jack Dragoni attended Boston College and served in the U.S. Army in Berlin and Vietnam. He resides in Chaffee, Missouri.