Tennessean Readers Comment on Underfunded VA

Some very, very interesting comments found in the Tennessean regarding the state of our underfunded VA. One example:

I am a disabled combat Marine. I have seen the veterans hospitals at their worst (Nixon, Johnson) and at their best (Clinton, Bush Sr.). Currently, the VA labors under the burden of constantly being underfunded. There is an army engaged in combat, and yet the current administration has repeatedly underfunded the VA. I find that to be criminal — sending young men and women into harm's way yet, when they come home wounded in both mind and body, they must wait weeks, sometimes months to see a doctor.

The care I have received in the past 12 years has been excellent — when I can get an appointment. I recently received care for post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. I know that thousands of combat troops coming home will need care for this silent killer. The VA is not prepared for the numbers that will seek treatment.

Currently in Nashville, a PTSD in-patient program is available but only to a very small number at a time, eight to 10 patients. The program is excellent, but needs to be expanded. I know for a fact that hundreds of active-duty soldiers at Fort Campbell are NOT being treated properly for PTSD. In many cases, the men and women are kicked out of the Army with other than honorable discharges because they are suffering from prolonged combat fatigue. This nation should demand of Congress that the warriors of present and past wars be taken care of in a timely manner. It is the least we owe our veterans. Remember, freedom is not FREE!!!!

Highly recommend reading the rest.

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