Thank you for the article. Yes, it is common sense and lays out the problems. But it obviously presents other problems. First,I just know this won't apply to me. I won't see the doctor, try to see thee doctor for a hangnail. I'll wait until I show some blood, either literally or figuratively. But then I'll have to wait behind the hangnails before I can get treatment. Meanwhile, I bleed to death. The other obvious problem is that the wrong people won't read the article.
Jim — 28 years is a pretty convincing testimonial, and I’m glad the VA has worked that well for you.
But there’s an important distinction: the VA serves a defined population, with its own facilities and a specific mission. That makes it a useful model for some things, but not necessarily proof that Washington could successfully run healthcare for 340 million Americans.
In fact, your experience makes a good argument for choice: if the VA works better for you, you should absolutely be able to choose it. If private medicine works better for someone else, they should be able to choose that.
The model I’d favor isn’t “VA or private medicine.” It’s keeping both—and letting the patient decide.
And at 90 years young, you’ve certainly had enough experience with the system to have earned an opinion.
Bill, all I can do is write them. If it changes one mind, maybe that is worth it.
Thank you for the article. Yes, it is common sense and lays out the problems. But it obviously presents other problems. First,I just know this won't apply to me. I won't see the doctor, try to see thee doctor for a hangnail. I'll wait until I show some blood, either literally or figuratively. But then I'll have to wait behind the hangnails before I can get treatment. Meanwhile, I bleed to death. The other obvious problem is that the wrong people won't read the article.
How about the VA System as a Model? Been working Fine for me for 28 years! Prefer to Private Medicine...
Jim Fitch
Winter Park, FL
90 years young
Jim — 28 years is a pretty convincing testimonial, and I’m glad the VA has worked that well for you.
But there’s an important distinction: the VA serves a defined population, with its own facilities and a specific mission. That makes it a useful model for some things, but not necessarily proof that Washington could successfully run healthcare for 340 million Americans.
In fact, your experience makes a good argument for choice: if the VA works better for you, you should absolutely be able to choose it. If private medicine works better for someone else, they should be able to choose that.
The model I’d favor isn’t “VA or private medicine.” It’s keeping both—and letting the patient decide.
And at 90 years young, you’ve certainly had enough experience with the system to have earned an opinion.