The hospital where I work is connected to a VA hospital. It has a lot of logistical benefits and very few downsides. In the course of working in various locations in my hospital and attending different functions and events over the years, I have gotten to know many of the employees in different divisions and areas.

I’ve gotten to know many of the other therapists, doctors, psychologists, etc. The other day, one of the VA psychologists and I was talking. He said to me,

Do you know I can only see my clients once every six weeks? I can’t believe that anyone wants to give the government health care! Look at our schools? Do they work? Our Veteran care doesn’t work. In fact, I’m not sure there’s a single program that the government runs that actually works.

This is important for two reasons. First of all, the mental health profession is littered with idealistic liberals who have grand ideas and little to no ideas on how to implement those grandiose ideas. I have found that while many preach tolerance, what they really mean is that you should agree with them or shut up.  I know that sounds harsh, and to be sure there are people to whom that does not apply. There is another aspect that I call the Social Worker aspect. This essentially says that the problems with the world are because our government isn’t doing enough. This cracks me up, because in the mental health field everything that the government has touched has gone badly, but that’s a discussion for another day. Back to the thought, I believed that this colleague was in this camp and that he was probably excited at the thought of government run health care.

The second reason that this is important is because of the reasons I have stated above, I’ve learned to just not talk about my views on politics or the government in most circles at work. I have a few friends that I talk to about such things but the truth is that I have very little hope in any political party as they currently stand. They all just seem to be liars to me.  None the less, we have weekly treatment meetings that I have to be a part of and we discuss treatment goals, ideas and methods for clients in these meetings. They are important and our ideology will come out in these meetings.  Sometimes, these meetings can be contentious but there is always a good level of professionalism and respect. However, in the meeting right before this lunch encounter one of my colleagues insisted we needed to move to a more “VA like model” of care. He lauded the VA system as a good and proper system.  When I expressed my doubt, this colleague looked at me and acted as though I was from another planet. I’m not a Veteran and neither is my co-worker proposing us going to a more VA driven model.

When I brought this fact up that currently Doctors of Psychology can only see their clients once every six weeks, I was told I was misinformed.  Again, what I call the Social Worker effect–I’m right, don’t confuse me with the facts. I brought it up to VA Model guy. He laughed and told me I needed to do my homework. Well, I’ve done my homework. I’ve talked to other Doctor’s, Vets, and even nurses. They all agree that the VA model is broken. One Dr. has worked in numerous hospitals across the country and he can’t believe that anyone would consider it a good system.

But hey, let’s get give them health care too. I’m sure that will be positive change.

More on: http://mylifeinthechaos.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/and-you-want-to-give-them-healthcare/











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