Oregon Public Broadcasting

1st congressional district 2012 election 2012 session agriculture art arts author beer births books budget business central oregon college congress crime culture death penalty eastern oregon economy education employment energy environment eugene fishing food gangs gay rights health health care high school history homeless housing jobs law legislature literature living media mental health military movies music native americans obama occupy portland occupy wall street onthejob oregon our town outdoors parenting police politics portland portland business journal portland mayor pregnancy prison public health race rebroadcast recess recession religion republicans rural schools science shooting sports supreme court talking business technology teen theater unemployment union university of oregon washington water weekend women youth

We should be embarassed at what is happening up on the hill....I must drive over 100 miles each way for simple ER or doctor services....the last time I used the VA in Portland I was there for over 12 hours.....to be seen for a common cold. I waited 12 hours in total....with a full 4 hours wait to get a prescription filled...while I was there, waiting, a Marine, recently discharged came into the facility and needed mental health services...he was polite until he had to wait six hours to see a doctor...by that time it was too late...he was manic and instead of helping...they called the police.
I submitted a formal complaint and met with the regional director and my Senator over services provided at the Portland VA....sure, it is difficult to gain great employees in a era where the VA can not match private sector salaries and benefits....only the very dedicated can afford to work there....the systems are broken....I was met with a clipboard and not very happy employees at all....the doctors are fine...when and if you can see one.
We have a system of clinics that COULD be used for local ER services....instead we must drive 100 miles each way....this is just typical of how vet's are treated on the hill.

posted 3 years, 6 months ago
view in context