The record problems facing Jan's son do not represent my VA experience here in Baltimore and Durham, NC. HOWEVER, the delays and denials of disability benefits everywhere are inexplicable to the logical mind. This is NOT a recent problem and CANNOT be tied to any one administration. The vast size of the VA is one of the problems. The fact that the head of disability benefits has been there for 35 years is likely part of the problem that he does not acknowledge (see "60 Minutes"). If accepted by Congress, the President's budget proposal would increase VA's budget from $98 billion this fiscal year (2009) to $113 billion for the fiscal year (2010) beginning Oct. 1, 2009. This is in addition to the $1.4 billion provided for VA projects in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The request for 2011 is $125 billion. Money alone won't fix the VA and these figures are not adjusted for the increasing size of the veteran population using VA facilities - but they are huge increases by the new administration.
Biloxi's website is allot of show and little go. As Norm says, they are building like crazy, BUT, they are not affiliated with a contiguous teaching hospital and therein lies a significant difference. Here in Durham, with the exception of anesthesiology, orthopedics, and dentistry; the Durham VA's medical services are run by Duke University attending/teaching doctors and treatment is by them, Duke residents or fellows. From an inside source, I know that the Duke doctors place great demands upon the VA for equipment and a standard of care equal to Duke Medical Center. The VA nurses here are superb and the attitude of the administrative support staff is exceptional. Baltimore pales by comparison and Newport News stinks. The records screw-up Jan's son is facing is inexcusable and frankly, I cannot relate to it. Something is very wrong in Biloxi and they can't blame it all on Katrina. If Jan's work doesn't change the situation I would pursue two avenues: the local Disabled Veterans (DAV) chapter and his congressman's local office. Both should be able to help with the DAV the more likely. Be sure to go to the largest DAV chapter in the area. Ron Rogers -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bill Steer Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 2:33 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Liveaboard] Dr. Diesel, Foley Engines, and me... [WELL, I SCREWED-UP!] Norm, one word. WELCOME TO OBAMACARE ! _______________________________________________ Liveaboard mailing list [email protected] To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
