Choice is not (yet) a permanent fixture of the VA and frankly, I'm seeing that many Vets use Choice and then end up asking to come back to the VA. The care you get at the VA is unique. In the private sector you are a patient like everyone else who walks in the physician/provider's door; in the VAMC you are an honored member of a huge supportive community of healers who respect and honor your service to our country. Is it perfect? of course not, but I have never seen people work so hard as I have since i began working for the VA. And please don't misunderstand - there are wonderful providers in the private sector, it is just that the VA is custom made for the specific and unique needs of Veterans - who have very very complex medical profiles.
Additionally - every single day starts with a focus on "access" - meaning, how do we get the Veterans in to see their care provider as quickly as possible. Our goal is less than 30 days, and many of our clinics are becoming more of a "walk-in", so even better than 30 days. I'm watching the VA change to fit the needs of the Veterans. They are listening and working to make this a gold standard of care for Veterans and frankly - congress should be looking at the VA if they really want to improve the ACA. We are as close to universal healthcare as it comes LOL.
thank you for your service,
Annette