August's question: should VA be responsible for providing care for age-related medical conditions if they are not service-connected?

VFW Magazine, Sept, 2004 by Vincent Pellegrino, Geraldine Wagner, Leo Friedrich, Cecil Steele, Don Watson, Larry Robideau, Richard Young, Eric Fendler, Phillip Conrad, Johni Robinson, Gregory Ceisner

Traditionally, VA care has been viewed as primarily designed to cover the needs of veterans disabled on duty or whose health was permanently damaged while serving their country. Veterans with non-service-connected medical problems have been treated on a discretionary basis.

The solution to this problem is to privatize the complete VA health care system. What is wrong with eligible veterans going to their local doctors and hospitals with the VA paying the costs? Why don't you survey your readers to see what they think of this proposal?

Vincent Pellegrino, N.J.

The reason for so many treatment delays is not the number of people entering the system. It's because not enough staff are hired and Congress wants to close existing facilities.

Geraldine Wagner, Calif.

If a vet has a service-connected injury or illness, I say, yes, let's take care of him or her for life. That's what the VA was originally set up to do. But just because I happened to serve during the Korean War does not entitle me to VA medical care for the rest of my life. That's known as taking responsibility for my own needs.

Leo Friedrich, Ky.

I am retired and live on Social Security and a small pension. If I were to pay extra pharmacy costs at a drug store, it would cut into other cost-of-living expenses. I could not afford to buy supplemental insurance to go along with Medicare.

Cecil Steele, N. Y.

I feel that service-connected disabilities should be the only priority for the VA hospital system. There are other facilities available for the indigent, including vets. I take care of my own medical expenses, with the help of Medicare. I feel that some veterans forget they were fighting for their country, not just a free pass.

Don Watson, Va.

I am lucky to have my own medical coverage. If veterans have their own health insurance, they will not use the VNs facilities, except maybe to obtain the prescription benefit.

Veterans have given up prime years of their lives to serve. Those who have not served have gained career advantage up to four years. This could represent a college degree or job advancements. Over a career, this adds up to tens of thousands of dollars. No veteran should have to wait for medical care in a public hospital with the indigent.

Larry Robideau, Fla.

One reason vets are waiting a month or more to see a VA doctor is because of all the scammers out there claiming a disability just for that monthly check.

Why should any of these cases be the responsibility of VA? I know of many more cases like this where people are milking the system, and it needs a definite change. No wonder there are problems.

Richard Young, Pa.

Where does an entitlement enter in for something not readily evident? A portion of my current retirement income is the same today as it was when it started 22 years ago. I am grateful for the excellent, polite and friendly outpatient care that the VA provides me. I do not feel ashamed to accept it.

Eric Fendler, N.J.

The VA health system is becoming nothing more than "welfare" in some cases. Lets get back to the original mission and help those who earned and need VA health care.

Phillip Conrad, Pa.

I'm a poor veteran, not service-connected, under 65 and who has no health insurance. I am living well below the limit on the means test. I would have no health care at all if it were not for VA.

John Robinson, Ky.

If the politicians really cared about veterans I wouldn't be writing this letter. Funds would be mandated for all veterans health care for life--"tax dollars well spent." It also would be an incentive for future citizens to join the military service.

Gregory Ceisner, Calif.

Editor's note The Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 made all vets eligible for VA medical care.