Wednesday鈥檚 town hall was heated, as veterans gathered in Albuquerque to raise concerns about VA health care with the state鈥檚 administration.
Hands in the audience were still raised as the two-hour meeting drew to a close. Scores of veterans who got a chance to speak complained of extremely long wait times, rushed care and bad communication with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
They told stories of incompetence in New Mexico, their frustrations mounting over years with poor access to health care and little recourse, echoing national sentiment as the VA鈥檚 inspector unearths at health centers around the country.
Veteran Mike Perea addressed state Director Jaime Robbins directly. 鈥淚鈥檝e been down there several times, and you鈥檙e always too busy, you don鈥檛 have time to see the veterans,鈥� Perea said. 鈥淎t your office, they told me to go ahead and write a letter. I鈥檓 a patient man. But you know what I鈥檓 going to be 77-years-old pretty soon. I鈥檒l probably die before you answer my letter.鈥�
Many specific issues were raised, including:
鈥� High turnover of medical staff
鈥� Rude and dismissive treatment by VA staff
鈥� Staff members who are certified but not qualified
鈥� Off-brand medications being prescribed in situations where brand-name medications would yield better results
鈥� Medical records getting lost in the shuffle or going unread
鈥� Long waits for hearing aides after they鈥檝e been prescribed
鈥� Long waits for results after seeing specialists
鈥� Long waits for return phone calls when veterans call with health issues
鈥� Long waits to see the patient advocate, whose office is unfriendly and closet-like
鈥� Bad communication about procedures and timing, especially for folks traveling to Albuquerque from around the state for care
鈥� No understanding of where complaints go once they鈥檝e been filed
鈥� Poor adherence to the VA鈥檚 own policies
鈥� Lack of veterans on the board or employed in the health care system
鈥� The VA鈥檚 failure to work with the private sector, which would allow local care instead of requiring travel when patients need operations
Robbins, director for New Mexico鈥檚 VA health care system, tried to address each concern as it was presented, promising reform and better communication. He said the local VA has taken several measures in recent months. 鈥淲e have added some more clinic hours. We鈥檝e recruited some primary care staff,鈥� Robbins said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e given a try on Saturday clinics, which was successful. We鈥檝e been calling folks on waiting lists.鈥�
VA staffers recorded information from audience members who made complaints, and Robbins also promised more town halls.
