After witnessing the extraordinarily compassionate care a close friend of mine received at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center, I have been following the articles by Paul De La Garza with keen interest. While it seems to me that the Department of Veterans Affairs may have been the victim of a big business contracting scheme (to the tune of nearly a half-billion dollars), I really have to commend Secretary Anthony Principi for standing up to take responsibility, and especially Dr. Robert Roswell for taking the blame.
I have no doubt that between the inspector general and congressional investigation teams looking into this matter, actual culpability will be determined.
Sure, the former leadership at Bay Pines and the former network director asked to be a "pilot facility" for the CoreFLS software. Who knows for sure why they volunteered, but I suspect they may have thought it would give them what the General Accounting Office asked for back in 1997: "improved financial accountability." After all, the VA has made remarkable progress with its computerized systems in the patient care arena. The VA's Computerized Patient Record System is truly state-of-the-art in the health care industry. In fact, the VA also leads the industry in patient safety and tele-health programs. These advances have allowed the VA to improve the quality of care and helped it keep this nation's promise to growing numbers of veterans here in Florida, despite the fact that budgets have not kept pace with those increases.
As a patient in the VA's health care system, my friend had witnessed the transformation of VA health care from the post-Vietnam period (aptly illustrated by the movie Born on the Fourth of July), to the establishment of a community clinic that brought VA health care closer to him, and ultimately to a bed in the hospice unit at Bay Pines, where he received compassionate care from men and women who are clearly dedicated America's heroes.
I can't fault the St. Petersburg Times for exposing the calamity that occurs when the government purchases a pig in a poke and sets it free in an unsuspecting health care facility, although I do wonder why there has been so little ink spent on Bearing Point (the company that sold that pig to the government). However, I would like your readers (especially those who understand the sacrifice veterans and their families have made) to understand that the care rendered by the staff at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center is truly second to none. These professionals have continued to make good on the nation's promise "to care for those who have born the battle."
-- Darlene Westberg, Seminole
Too many promises to vets aren't kept
The recent irregularities occurring at Bay Pines VA Medical center are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg with regard to the current state of affairs within the Veterans Administration.
As we approach the upcoming presidential election this November we should reflect on the pledges and promises that were made to this nation's military veterans and their dependents just slightly more than three years ago. President Bush and members of his administration said things like "help is on the way" or "a promise made should be a promise kept".
As a 100 percent permanently and totally disabled, combat wounded military veteran (Vietnam '67-'68), I am dismayed and disgusted with how those "promises" have not been kept by this administration and the Republican majority in Congress!
For more than three years now the military veterans of this nation have endured indignities and suffered mistreatment by this president's administration, which are unparalleled in modern history! Each budget sent by him to Congress has failed to provide meaningful investment in veterans' health care and/or benefits. The latest budget for the upcoming year is the lowest amount requested by any administration in the past decade!
Right now, more than 30,000 veterans are waiting six months or longer for an appointment at VA hospitals. But the president's budget includes an increase of less than 2 percent - not enough to maintain current services and nearly $3-billion less than veteran organizations such as the DAV, VFW, Paralyzed Veterans of America and many others agree is needed.
Today, there are 335,000 veterans awaiting a decision on their disability claims. About 84,000 of those veterans have been waiting six months or more for their decision. Despite this backlog, the budget makes it harder for veterans to get their disability, education, pension, housing and employment benefits by cutting 4 percent of the people who administer veterans' benefits.
In a time of war, especially, military veterans and defense should be our highest priorities. A country that can afford to send our men and women into harm's way can afford and must provide the resources to care for them on their return.
"Promises" unkept and unfulfilled will be first and foremost on the minds of the military veterans come this next election.
-- Steve Johnson, Holiday
This hospital a local treasure
Due to the recent scores of bad news stories from both the newspapers and television on the state of the Bay Pines VA Medical Center, I feel compelled to write in. I am a retired 22-year U.S. Air Force special operations aerial gunner who grew up in Pinellas County and has visited the Bay Pines VA Medical Center as a patient for more than five 5 years. I am also a son of a retired Air Force veteran who was seen at Bay Pines for more than 30 years.
First, I have been absolutely delighted with my treatment and quality of care, as well as the state-of-the-art equipment and professionalism at Bay Pines during the past five years. I can honestly say that the care provided to me has exceeded any that I received during my career as a military aviator. The majority of my appointments have not only been professionally handled, but I have actually been walking to my vehicle literally at the time of my scheduled appointment after being seen by the outstanding physicians/care providers. I can't say that about any other military facility I have ever been in.
Second, my father passed away in hospice care at this facility and was treated with the most compassion and care that I have ever witnessed. My dad loved this facility and volunteered there for more than 20 years and always had great words to say about the facility and staff. Please don't forget that this fine facility is loved buy hundreds of thousands of us who served our country. The staff is outstanding and the volunteers, who always have a gentle smile for those who have served, really make this hospital a local treasure.
I have seen nothing but bad news coming out about Bay Pines VA and felt obligated to send a heartfelt "thank you" to the outstanding staff that continues to treat me with the best care. I can always leave there feeling that my service to the country is recognized on every visit. Thanks, Bay Pines!
-- Patrick Cook, Safety Harbor
A professional and truly caring staff
Much has been said lately chastising Bay Pines Va Medical Center. I would like to differentiate this chastising of certain elements of administration from the actual care provided to us veterans.
I am a World War II vet. I enrolled in Bay Pines around May 2002. I think I have the bottom-of-the-totem-pole classification for its services. Nevertheless, I have never had better medical treatment in my 80 years since I left my mother's womb.
Bay Pines policy is simple: preventive care. Catch any problems before they get out of control if possible. In my case, they gave me every conceivable test as a new patient (and I suppose because of my age) that was reasonable. I admit I am fortunate to be in better than average condition for my age. Nevertheless, submitting to the tests meant I came into contact with several dozen of Bay Pines care providers over the last couple of years. I cannot overemphasize how royally I was treated by each and every one. They were courteous, professional and truly caring.
Regardless of some administrative mishaps, please do not think for one minute that any of the Bay Pines staff and volunteers who come into contact with veterans are anything but the very best.
-- Ray J. Bath, Clearwater
Psychiatric drugs deserve scrutiny
Re: For now, take antidepressants with a warning, March 23.
Thank God we are finally being told at least a small part of what critics of the psychiatric mental health community have long known - that psychiatric drugs can be dangerous and unpredictable.
From 1999 to 2003 there were 127 fatalities from school violence alone, which mirror the explosive use of these drugs. From Kip Kinkle, who killed his parents and wounded 22 others, to Eric Harris, who masterminded the killings in Columbine, to Luke Woodham, who killed his mother and two others in Mississippi, to Jason Hoffman, who shot and wounded four students and two teachers in California, the list goes on and on. All were on psychiatric medication.
This is a telling prophecy of what is to come, if we as a nation do not take stock of the methods being used by the mental health "authorities" to treat the mentally ill.
Currently there are more than 374 "mental illness" categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. The problem seems to be that the majority of these illnesses are a compilation of symptoms that would fit anyone at some time or another. It is difficult to "cure" an illness that does not really exist, yet it seems these illnesses are being used as a platform to justify treatments that are often quite dangerous.
I hope the FDA will continue to investigate this matter further because we need to know all the facts about this alarming situation.
-- Linda Breeden, Safety Harbor
Air shows help military to be prepared
Re: Letters critical of AirFest 2004, April 9.
I am truly saddened to read negative comments about this fine air show. How quickly some forget 9/11 and the role these extremely dedicated and truly professional military men and women play in our everyday lives.
An active-duty pilot, such as those flying with the Blue Angels, may, in the middle of the night be very rudely awakened to man the cockpit of an alert aircraft, and in just a few minutes be flying in total darkness, at twice the speed of sound, closing on a unidentified "target" approaching your house.
As a U.S. Air Force veteran, I know how much time and money is spent on training (hint: air shows are training) to be prepared for what may come. But if you are looking for pork, go to Washington and look at politicians and lobbyists for military defense contractors.
Our fine men and women in uniform (look at the photo on page 3A in Friday's Times) like those at MacDill Air Force Base need our strong support every day, just as we expect them to be prepared to defend us every hour of every day.
-- Roger Goss, Clearwater
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