Parents Blame VA For Sons’ Suicides

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As the VA scandal continues to unfold and victims of government incompetence continue to emerge, it’s hard to understand why anyone would believe the VA would be the government-run health care beacon we could all embrace.

WND recently reported that during his transition into the White House in 2008-09, President Obama proposed in his “Obama-Biden” plan to “make the VA a leader of national health care reform so that veterans get the best care possible.”

But few talk about that anymore as the dream is crumbling.

At a recent House hearing, parents and victims of the system spoke out.

The Charleston Daily Mail reports on Harold and Jean Somers’ testimony:

Parents of military veterans who took their own lives after surviving combat told a congressional panel on Thursday how not to prevent suicide:

Turn away a veteran of some 400 combat missions in Iraq because he’s no longer active in the National Guard.

Then turn him away because he was previously in the Guard and refer him to a military facility where he’s promptly referred back to the VA.

Now tell him to wait for a postcard with his appointment time.

Either don’t send that postcard, or send it to the wrong address.

Refuse to refer him outside the Veterans Affairs health-care system.

When he finally does get his first VA date with a psychiatrist, have that doctor inform him that he’s retiring and won’t be able to see him a second time. Emphasize that he will, however, be seen by another doctor — just as soon as one becomes available.

Never do get back in touch, and let him run up considerable debt getting what help he can in the private sector.

After all that, Somers’ son, Daniel committed suicide. He was 23.

Well done, government bureaucrats. Way to become that “leader of national health care reform.”

The Daily Mail notes parents of two other suicide victims, Clay Hunt, a Marine, and Brian Portwine, a soldier, testified as well.

It’s obvious no one should put their faith in this government agency.

Parents of military veterans who took their own lives after surviving combat told a congressional panel on Thursday how not to prevent suicide:

Turn away a veteran of some 400 combat missions in Iraq because he’s no longer active in the National Guard.

Then turn him away because he was previously in the Guard and refer him to a military facility where he’s promptly referred back to the VA.

Now tell him to wait for a postcard with his appointment time.

Either don’t send that postcard, or send it to the wrong address.

Refuse to refer him outside the Veterans Affairs health-care system.

When he finally does get his first VA date with a psychiatrist, have that doctor inform him that he’s retiring and won’t be able to see him a second time. Emphasize that he will, however, be seen by another doctor — just as soon as one becomes available.

Never do get back in touch, and let him run up considerable debt getting what help he can in the private sector.

– See more at: http://www.charlestondailymail.com/article/20140714/DM04/140719747/1279#sthash.Hvl9TZxW.dpuf

Parents of military veterans who took their own lives after surviving combat told a congressional panel on Thursday how not to prevent suicide:

Turn away a veteran of some 400 combat missions in Iraq because he’s no longer active in the National Guard.

Then turn him away because he was previously in the Guard and refer him to a military facility where he’s promptly referred back to the VA.

Now tell him to wait for a postcard with his appointment time.

Either don’t send that postcard, or send it to the wrong address.

Refuse to refer him outside the Veterans Affairs health-care system.

When he finally does get his first VA date with a psychiatrist, have that doctor inform him that he’s retiring and won’t be able to see him a second time. Emphasize that he will, however, be seen by another doctor — just as soon as one becomes available.

Never do get back in touch, and let him run up considerable debt getting what help he can in the private sector.

– See more at: http://www.charlestondailymail.com/article/20140714/DM04/140719747/1279#sthash.Hvl9TZxW.dpuf

Parents of military veterans who took their own lives after surviving combat told a congressional panel on Thursday how not to prevent suicide:

Turn away a veteran of some 400 combat missions in Iraq because he’s no longer active in the National Guard.

Then turn him away because he was previously in the Guard and refer him to a military facility where he’s promptly referred back to the VA.

Now tell him to wait for a postcard with his appointment time.

Either don’t send that postcard, or send it to the wrong address.

Refuse to refer him outside the Veterans Affairs health-care system.

When he finally does get his first VA date with a psychiatrist, have that doctor inform him that he’s retiring and won’t be able to see him a second time. Emphasize that he will, however, be seen by another doctor — just as soon as one becomes available.

Never do get back in touch, and let him run up considerable debt getting what help he can in the private sector.

– See more at: http://www.charlestondailymail.com/article/20140714/DM04/140719747/1279#sthash.Hvl9TZxW.dpuf

 

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