Veterans and most of the country.

.. And are power hungry, greedy parasites. This is what the republican party has been sins the 1970's at least. And now they got what the have been after all these years... like slow growing cancer.

That, plus putin and the rest of the international gangsters...

The R's really don't care. They think that the men and women who have left the military have served their purpose and are now disposable.

quite a bit better.

More local clinics are opening offering much care without the long trip to the main hospital.

Outsourcing of certain care has been going on for years-- I had a special CT Scan done at a local radiology lab because the VA radiology clinic didn't have the proper equipment (very expensive for such limited use) Other scans and MRIs were done at the VA. And colonoscopies were outsourced until demand made them expand the hospital resources.

I am finding the care here to be of higher quality and more available.

They love their Government Health Care.

Until this administration came in, the VA was improving steadily. My area is still doing well, but resources are stretched.

The most-demanded department in the VA right now, nation wide, is mental health, no surprise there.

Still, you can't complain about the VA. If you have a co-pay, it's far lower than what 80% of what the rest of the country pays. I get upset when I hear people grumble in the waiting rooms. I have been known to get up, go over to them, introduce myself, and explain to them that if they think they can get better health care, at a cheaper price, by more dedicated people, then I point in the direction of the exit and invite them to leave. I have gotten standing ovations from the nurses.

Many staffers at the VA are themselves veterans, so they understand a thing or two about the "unique" needs of vets. I am always in awe of the dedication of these folks. They have to listen to whiny, thoughtless, ungrateful people all the time, and wear a smile while they do that. If it weren't for these tireless, devoted clinicians on that side of the counter, folks on my side of the counter would be up the proverbial creek minus the paddle. These folks are underpaid and overworked, their departments are under-staffed (Nation-wide, there are 62,000 vacancies at the VA.), and their clinics are over-booked. Some VAs hold clinics on Saturdays to meet demand. So, if you're going to bitch about the VA --- 1) consider your alternatives, 2) don't dump on the staff and 3) don't ever do it within earshot of me.

and service.

and I would do it all over again.

and retirees as well.

They are kicking people out of military run hospitals and clinics as well. They increased premiums (for retirees) right before they did it and increased co-pays. At the clinic we went to doctors are leaving because they feel by limiting the types and ages of patients it will damage their careers. Now I can't even afford my specialty care which will decrease my life span.