Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders hit back at Joe Biden for questioning progressive agenda

[quakerboy]

111. Im gonna have to disagree with you entirely

I base my assessment on two things. first, the Non anecdotal. Multiple studies over time have shown that VA care compares positively with other health systems in the USA. Second, my anecdotal personal experience, which involves interacting with multiple private health systems as well as the VA on a weekly basis. And my experience is that the VA does better.

First, my repeated experience is that VA dr's are far less concerned with "price" than other health systems. I've never once heard a VA dr say "Well, X could help you, but Thats too expensive, so lets try Y". Not once in 14 years working with them. I HAVE heard that repeatedly in multiple private systems. I have heard the VA say "X and Y both might help you. Here are the potential side effects of each, which would you prefer to try". I have heard Dr's check someones private insurance status and then tell them that the only cancer treatment with a high chance of working is not covered. And Ive heard the VA drs tell people that their cancer diagnosis is most likely terminal, that treatment will almost certainly not work, and have miserable side effects, but that it is their choice.

Per integration.. Ive seen VA Drs have excellent coordination on med and treatment management. Ive also seen them be uncoordinated. Coordination is a growing trend in all health systems, but my observation is that specialists rarely coordinate well. Especially mental health departments.

If your argument is that the VA is underfunded given the increased number of veterans who have joined the system over the years.. Im with you. I'm sure the VA loses some dr's due to compensation. So do Private insurers. Ive had to change my designated PCP 3 times in 3 years as my Dr's quit (They didnt tell me, but Im assuming its in connection to their compensation). In my experience the VA mainly loses interns, who sign on for training, then leave once they have put in their time.

One thing I will say, EVERY health system, VA and Private, provides a level of care based on what you are able to advocate for yourself on. That is a universal truth, in my experience. If you can teach and advocate for your brother, he can get Excelent care from the VA, the match of anything anywhere in this country. But If he goes into appointments and says everything is ok (something I see WAY too many patients, especially men of a certain age, do) or minimizes symptoms, they will treat based on the information they have. I really think that the main thing we could do to improve quality of care in the US is to have assigned (and not completely overloaded) client advocates assigned to everyone.