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Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism University of Southern California
Politics

Veterans' Day Calls For Reflection On Shortcomings In Medical Care

While the number of homeless veterans has hit zero in several places and strides are being made for G.I. Bill reforms, there is still work to be done when it comes to veterans getting timely medical appointments in Veterans' Affairs facilities that are within a reasonable distance from their homes.

Vietnam Veteran Army Specialist Al C. Strange stands next to the American flag at the Pasadena Senior Center's annual Veterans' Day Luncheon on Nov. 11, 2015. (Stephanie Haney/Annenberg Media)
Vietnam Veteran Army Specialist Al C. Strange stands next to the American flag at the Pasadena Senior Center's annual Veterans' Day Luncheon on Nov. 11, 2015. (Stephanie Haney/Annenberg Media)
President Obama said Wednesday that there is still work to be done when it comes to caring for our nation’s veterans.

At the Pasadena Senior Center in California, veterans and military supporters shared some of their experiences with medical care at Veterans’ Affairs facilities.

“I served in Vietnam ‘66 to ’67,” Vietnam Veteran Army Specialist Al C. Strange said.  “I was a Preventive Medical Specialist and Medic.”

When asked how he felt about veterans waiting more than 30 days for medical appointments, Strange said that there are definitely some people who are still making things difficult for former service members.

“They need to do a lot of housecleaning,” Strange said, “because the reason they have jobs and have freedoms is because of Veterans.”

Strange recalled one incident about eight months ago when he initially had trouble with a government employee over getting a doctor’s appointment at a V.A. facility in Los Angeles. Strange said the employee told him he could be seen in 90 days. 

Strange said he told her, “That ain’t what President Obama said.”  And then Strange got his appointment 28 days later.

To the contrary, former civilian military contractor and Pasadena resident Van Fox said his family has had positive experiences with the care provided them at V.A. facilities.

“One of my uncles had heart problems,” Fox said, “so they monitored his heart from his home on a phone.”

The reason for that exceptional accommodation, though, was because his uncle lived five hours from the nearest V.A. medical provider.  In addition to the five-hour drive, Fox, said, his uncle lived in Utah where snowfall and mountainous roads meant he could only go the V.A. when the weather was good.

Now, the Choice Act passed by Obama in 2014 allows veterans that have to drive more than 40 miles to reach a V.A. facility, as well as veterans who have had to or will have to wait more than 30 days for care, to have the option of seeing a private physician instead.

Pasadena veterans will be able to avoid that hassle because they are getting their own local V.A. facility on site at Pasadena City College.

“They’ve worked for a few years to find a space and to get enough money to build a building there,” Fox said, “so that’s huge.” 

When the Pasadena veterans’ out-patient clinic opens it will offer primary health care, mental and therapeutic services.

Pasadena City College is currently accepting donations to fund the clinic.

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