Quote Originally Posted by Dreadnaught View Post
There's no great solution. I think the bigger question is why we created a government-rationed healthcare system where Veterans can get care for issues beyond those directly related to combat?
Because most civilian facilities weren't designed to handle large numbers of people with War injuries (amputations, shrapnel wounds, traumatic brain injuries)....let alone distribute wheelchairs or prosthetics. Plus, some combat-related health problems don't show up for years (like Agent Orange exposure) or even PTSD.

It might have made sense after World War II and Viet Nam, when there were so many surviving vets. But the medical industry has changed dramatically since then, with full-service and specialty hospitals, EDs and Level I trauma centers all over the country. Since access isn't the problem it used to be -- it might work better if vets used the same facilities everyone else does, with providers reimbursed by the VA -- and just have a few regional VA Medical Centers for the severe cases or long-term patients.