On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 09:38:51 -0400, Vince wrote:

Ed Rasimus wrote:

Saw a great line regarding radiation therapy a while back--"it's the
gift that keeps on giving."


I am trying to figure out if the VA is doing right by veterans in this
area. My wife is a VA physician and I teach agent orange in my class.
I just finished a stint at the National Cancer institute on cancer
screening research

Any comments welcome

Vince

Since you asked for comments and you have a VA connection:

I've never received a bit of care from a VA facility. As retired
military I've got TriCare and have found it an excellent health plan,
although not what I was promised when I started my career.

I was advised by a friend that I should get registered in the VA
health care system. I completed the paperwork, but was rejected for
registration. Get that...not rejected for services, but rejected for
simple listing as a qualified veteran!

The reason being that I refuse to complete the full financial
disclosure that they demand. My finances are, frankly, none of their
business.

The priority listing for service in the VA manual says that a retiree
with 10% or more service-connected disability is entitled to priority
three. Financial qualification is required for veterans, not full
career retirees, with no disability to qualify at priority eight.

Frankly, from what I've seen of VA facilities, clientele and staff (no
offense intended to your wife), I'm not sure I would risk VA services.
My surgery was handled at USAF Academy hospital and follow-up
radiation at Memorial Hospital Cancer Center in Colorado Springs.

Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com