Letter: VA facility lacks funds to serve veterans

Monday, Oct. 9, 2000 | 10:01 a.m.

Every veteran who is on the VA healthcare roster in each state is allocated a fixed dollar amount. Now, when the veteran moves to Las Vegas from another state, those dollars do not follow him to the Las Vegas facility. Although he may receive benefits in Las Vegas, the VA here does not have the dollars to service him. That means lack of personnel and patient care time. Considering the number of veterans moving into Clark County, it is no wonder that the doctors are caring for 1,500 patients, 500 more than they should, and the pharmacy has the same backup problem.

Paperwork falls woefully behind, and yes, you are not getting the service you should. I have written countless letters to the chairman of the VA committee in the House over the past three years, but to no avail ... Let's suffer together, but in good spirit, and try to stay healthy.

HAROLD STURZA

archive