Poor Care Costs Veterans' Lives at Marion, IL, Veterans' Hospital

Last year, "Walter Reed" became a rallying cry for the veterans' movement. This year, it may be "Marion, Illinois."

In June 2007, a combat-disabled Vietnam veteran went to the VA hospital in Marion, IL, complaining of chest and abdominal pain. Tests quickly revealed he had suffered a ruptured spleen and needed urgent surgery. After the operation, his heart blood pressure fell dangerously. He desperately needed an immediate blood transfusion. Adequate blood was prepared for this patient, but because the transfusion was administered too late, the patient died.

According to a recent VA Inspector General's report, this is just one of the 19 deaths in the last two years that were linked to substandard care at the Marion VA. Among the IG's conclusions:

• The surgical specialty at the Marion VA was "in disarray." There were serious problems with the quality of care before, during and after surgery.

• Oversight at the hospital was "fragmented and inconsistent."

• There were serious "deficiencies in the credentialing of physicians." In multiple instances, "physicians were privileged to perform procedures without any documentation of current competence to perform those procedures."

The VA has taken steps to resolve the scandalous treatment of veterans at this hospital. VA leadership has apologized to the families of the victims, and is assuring the public that this was an isolated incident.

I've heard reassurances from Administration officials before: that the VA budget is adequate, that troops with PTSD are getting screened and treated, and that the scandal at Walter Reed would be resolved. The Marion VA may be a single bad apple in a good hospital system. In fact, veterans' organizations agree that VA care is some of the best health care available in this country. But it could also be the canary in the coal mine. Our VA system is severely stretched and under-resourced. And I'm skeptical of any official telling me veterans are going to get what they need without a fight.

As we were with the Walter Reed fiasco, IAVA will be out in front, ensuring that this latest scandal is resolved. And our commitment doesn't flag. Long after the story fades from the headlines, IAVA follows up, tracking the results and holding politicians' feet to the fire if they leave the job unfinished.

We've just released a new series of in-depth reports covering the five most urgent issues facing America's new generation of veterans and their families, including everything from equipment shortages to treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury. These groundbreaking reports provide all Americans with comprehensive and easy-to-read overviews of the five most critical issues facing veterans in 2008. Reporters, legislators and activists should print them out and tack them to the wall above their desks right now. We hope you'll have a look, and encourage your representatives in Washington to do so as well.

Comments

[splashy]

My first question is whether this was an area run by private corporations, as it was at Walter Reed where the problems were. Private corporations cut corners as much as possible to make a profit when it comes to health care, hurting the people they serve.

[Not Blind]

It's a complete travesty that those who have been sent to do battle are soon forgotten, marginalized, and left without support upon their return home. PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, like other combat-related injuries, are severe, and affect not only the veterans themselves, but their families who must cope, live with someone unable to work, depressed, or permanently injured (medical and rehabilitative care).
When I hear our president speak about supporting the troops, I become angry that the plight of neglected, abused (Bill O'Reilly who marginalized the homeless veterans), and forsaken Americans who put their lives on the line.
While Halliburton charges $40 for sodas, our soldiers don't have body armor or equipment, and were giving our soldiers contaminated (unfiltered) water. While Blackwater mercenaries commit murder with imunity, our soldiers (under orders at Abu Ghraib) were prosecuted while those who gave the orders were rewarded.
Bush's remarks about supporting our troops is hypocritical at best. He wants to perpetuate this war to fill his own and his friend's pockets, as well as to accomodate Israel.

[LeftRight]

I don't know that the VA has the best health care in the world. I do know that I can NEVER get in to see a doctor! I just moved to the Chicago region, and switched from the VAMC in Iowa City, IA (which is a fabulous facility, really the cream of the crop!) The reson that I moved was that I got a new job, which provided me with health insurance, and I decided to let my payments from the insurance go to the VA to maybe help provide insurance for another vet who wouldn't get coverage otherwise (since I'm service connected disabled, I get it for free at the VA) I have seen a doctor there once in the last 2 years. I asked for a new appointment and got told that I had to wait 9 months before they could get me in to see ANY doctor, and more than a year to see MY doctor.

I've since decided that in spite of the fact that it costs me more and doesn't help a veteran, I'm going to my local doctor who's closer, gets me in usually the same day, and actually seems to CARE about her patients.

I'm sorry, but the VA in Chicago is definitely not the best.

[larry278]

You might want to check on the chronic but intolerable delays in shipping veterans medicine from the VA's facility which the VA identifies as being near Chicago, Il but the VA won't give the facility's name or exact location to those making inquiries in the veterans behalf. The VA is also found of saying the medication will be delivered to the veteran "soon" but the VA refuses to state an exact date, month, & year when an Rx will be delivered to a veteran. Assisted living facilities are forced to get refills of Rx's the VA hasn't supplied on time to avoid running out of a veteran's Rx from private sources to avoid illegally witholding of Rx meds from a veteran. The witholding of Rx meds from any patient because the supplyer hasn't shipped a residents medication in time to avoid running out of an Rx drug is illegal in many states, if not all states.
The VA is an unreliable provider of Rx drugs ordered by a VA physician [a VA employee] to veterans. This an illegal pattern which has existed for years. The VA is doing nothing to end this intolerable condition & has never done anything in the past to end this intolerable situation. That is called patient abuse. The VA abuses veterans who are VA patients & entitled to complete medical care from the VA.

[Pdubya]

Look to Ron Paul for veteran benefits and endorsement by the military:

www.ronpaul2008.com

[AlphaDoc]

>VA leadership has apologized to the families of the victims, and is assuring the public that this was an isolated incident<

They apologized? How noble of them. As if an apology could ever be enough.
And how 19 deaths in two years could be termed "an isolated incident" is beyond comprehension.

[wolf58]

This is not a shock to those of us in the VA system. The last time I went to my local VA I burned half a day waiting to see a doctor who I could not understand do to his heavy middle eastern accent the other half of the day was wasted waiting for medications. On the outside all would have been done in under two hours and I would have understood what my doctor had to say. I also found that there seems to be a much higher number of doctors in training or doctor who have retired and fill thier time at the VA.
If you want to see change at the VA's make it law that all elected officials from the top down have to use the VA. Whats good for our veterans is good enough for our leaders. Right?

[SuzieQQ]

Paul,

It's beyond unacceptable and I hope Americans start calling their Representatives to demand changes in the way our Veterans are treated!

Thank you for everything that you do for our Veterans!

Suzie-Q

[Purple Girl]

Shouldn't the Armed Services committee have something to do with the condition of Health care for our Armed Services members??
Who sits on that Committee again? the same committee that has not required clear goals for, or exit plan from, Iraq or Afghanistan. Hasn't required any accounting for funds- evne when they 're "lost".
Would this committee also have prior knowledge and acceptance of Private Mecenary companies working outside the laws of our country- yet 'representing US' around the World- flying our flag? I would think a committee charged with the ooversight of our nations Armed SErvices would take an exception to the use of such Rouge, Undoctrinated Hired Guns.

[scooperss]

I don't think most non-veterans know how it is. When a veteran refuses to have needed surgery at a VA hospital because he's afraid, there's something wrong. Bad wrong.

[janvoght]

this is unacceptable...where can we sign a petition that will send the message that we value those that are willing to sacrafice the ultimate for our safety and freedom back here at home?

[ljsfolly]

The whole VA administration and hospitals clinics need to be done over from top to bottom. Too many soldiers are either returning from the middle east maimed and broken mentally or the soldiers of the past including vietnam urgently need help and cannot get it for many reasons. Most of the time paperwork.

[Spookcatcher]

Don't look for Obama to be anywhere around (or Hillary, that Trumpeted and Famous Champion of women and children's concerns, unless they happen to serve in the military or are a Veterans family member) they are too busy getting their paychecks from the big Banks and vying for dollars from the MIC with McCain, to run for office! Also, Obama and Hillary no longer view their Oath or duty as Senators as important, they are abstaining from it till further notice, and after the next New Year's holiday session. as for this congress and Senate, we are all going to get a few hundred dollars to shut up and leave them alone and keep spending our selves into debt. Dealing with War on Terro apsects like human casualties and veterans beneits and health conditions is a nuisance and way to depressing for them. Maybe next year after the "New" President will announce some crumbs in the budget along with the coming plan of the 100 year war.

[desmirl]

Paul,
You need to keep reporting on the disconnect between those in power and those who do the fighting for those who are in power. Anyone who thinks that Bush, Cheney--or anyone in the government--have any real concern for the grunts who stand at the point of the spear as they protect American 'interests' around the globe is living in a fairytale world. The only thing that will insure good and comprehensive care for America's veterans are voices like yours standing tall in the public square. Keep their feet to the fire, because this government owes its vetreans. Big time.

[Rabbin]

Washington nor any of the politicians seem to realize the problem is not with the VA! The real problem has to do with all of American Health care. Look here are good hospitals and bad ones makes no difference if it was made for the American Vet or any poor soul who became ill or was born with some sickness a military person or a non-military! Old or young rich or poor! In this world money talks and bull shit walks! We all pay for what we get in the end!

The problem is that the free market system, and capitalism or socialism has on place in saving lives or in making human life stronger and better!

For me I can't figure out why we need fiscal or earthly things in doing what is right and taking care of the sick should always come first. It costs the government just as much as it does you or I to care for the ill or it costs the VA just as much as it does anyone eles to maintain health. And methods used by the VA and others in the private sector to care for the ill all has to do with human both money needs and people wants who work in health care! Shame on the VA shame on America for putting the dollar and position or vain methods first before the patients who need help.

What kind of nation is it that worries so much about who does what or how do we pay for REAL NEEDS? Vanity for the sake of what? profit more to get more of this world's things for the sake of what?

May God Forgive this nation for it's wants of the things of this world before filling the needs of its weakest may they have served to protect this nation or not!

It profits us nothing and in fact now health care is so costly it helping to bankrupt not only the individuals of this nation but the VA as well! In this world money talks and BS walks or dies!