FRONTLINE UPDATE

To: The Department of Veteran Affairs

Jeff Hairabedian
10:53 AM

From: U.S. Army Veteran

Friday, October 2, 2015

Dear Secretary McDonald:

I'm a U.S. Army veteran writing to you from the front lines. This letter is in regards to
the recently enacted Veterans Choice Program, and the Accountability Act of 2014. I
hereby report a first hand account of whats happening down here on the DMZ: my
experience at the Long Beach V.A. Hospital in California has been one of satisfaction and
inspiration. However, it did not start out that way; for a period of time last year, just
getting in to be seen by a doctor was difficult, scheduling dates far out as three months.
Since the 'wake-up call' to fix the lack of doctor problem as well as others was made, over
all service has improved dramatically. This includes: shorter lines, it takes less now, to get
in to see a doctor. Patients are divided into Divisional Teams, named Delta and Foxtrot
eliminating line issues. The attitude of nurses, doctors, and general staff, has improved as
well.
I did have a ruff experience in February 2015 when a routine flu and Pneumonia shot
led to a three day stay at the hospital, where I had three bags of antibiotics pumped into
my arm. I know people who receive medical care outside the V.A. They had similar
symptoms to mine, but were told they were allergic to the flu shot. I was diagnosed with
having Cellulitis, most likely the nurse missed a spot when preparing my shot. Cellulitis
occurs when when bacteria on the skin enters a deeper part of the skin, causing an
infection.
I support the Veterans' Choice Program, and Accountability Act, but if funds are
needed to fulfill a prior commitment, there should be no political blockaded. Where
commitment to the majority of veterans should have priority . I was given the choice to
use the benefits under the ACT, but after much research into the program, weighing the
pros and cons, I choose not to use the service. I believe my reasons for my decision is
worth reporting to you.
The forgoing includes a personal medical condition: I was diagnosed in 2007 by the
V.A. that I have the Hepatitis C Virus. Since it is a 'Delayed Response Disease', there is
no-way to know exactly when I was infected: possibly while in the Army, because of the
way soldiers were being inoculated in the 1970's and early, 80's, (by air-gun injection
needles) it is quite possible.
I was scheduled to start treatment some time ago, however treatment was
postponed. I was told unless your Liver shows signs of cirrhosis or your dying, the V.A. will
not treat its Vets Looking deeper into the matter it is all about money; treatment costs
about $60,000.00 dollars. There is no written mandate or paper work given to support the
V.A. Decision, your told verbally, and usually by phone; the reason again, there is a short
supply of medicine. A draft of this letter was circulated, and I was approved treatment
shortly after. After just eight weeks the virus is almost non detectable. The treatment
must last for about 12 weeks to be effective, and that is with a 98% rate, no side affects,
and your spared a painful shot in the belly once a day. The old treatment was for a year,
and only had a 58% rate. I can not help to think of the many veterans, having to wait
until the virus causes cirrhosis to get treatment, and all because a lack of the medicine. I
also pray for the many men and women of America, who because of the cost, and as
victim of the Obama Scam, have no hope. As for other Veterans, do not wait for such fate,
you should not suffer the same psychological pain felt on the battlefields, not knowing if

the next blast is inside you, if the virus has done damage so your allowed treatment.
VOICE OF THE VETERAN SHALL BE HEARD Decisions that affect the Veteran should be
made by the Veteran

FRONTLINE UPDATE
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I would hope all V.A. Hospitals are in union, having the wisdom, service, and care, I
experienced here in Long Beach. When comparing the quality of medical care given by
outside hospital's, to that received at the V.A. Hospital in Long Beach; I found none that is
worthy. I encourage to stop all misappropriation and hidden agendas, and push for a
strong, stable, and effective V.A. Health Care System.
POINTS OF CONTEST:
1#: If I choose to leave and switch from the V.A. system, I would be multiplying existing
problems, not eliminating them. By taking on the problems the general public faces in
outside hospitals, especially the poor. Fellow Veterans, hear the Voice of the Veteran; I
encourage you to research the facts, problems would only multiply outside our system.
2#: If the Veterans Choice Program were just utilized by the percent of veterans the
Politician tell you it was designed for, the percent is so low, the title; the Accountability
Act is an insult by the cost. Let alone much lower than the percent of veterans who are
already facing losses and suffer from a lack of medicine. The restriction on funds is a first
step to starve the V.A. Health Care System into destruction and force Veterans to use
substandard Obama Care Medical Plans and their Doctors. If the V.A. Management is not
allowed allocate funds for Hep C treatment today, a Life Threatening Disease, what do
you expect will happen in the morrow, if the funds once used to fuel V.A. Hospitals remain
in this non approved by Veterans ACT. The health of the Veteran, should have priority, not
whether the creation of the Accessibility ACT is a success. The percent of veterans facing
loss, is greater than the percent of veterans, expected to use the Choice Program;
majority rules. The decision to block the re-allocation of funds is a bad medicine.
3#: The 40 Mile Rule. Access to the Long Beach V.A. Hospital in Los Angeles County is an
easy one. I remember weekend road trips over rural dirt roads to shack like houses,
when stationed at Fort Knox, and I assume those geographical areas is what politicians
had in mind when coming to our rescue. The 40-mile rule may apply for someone there,
as for here in Southern California, we Angeles have a saying, and you may have heard it
in a song, "Nobody walks in L.A." Local Government has already addressed our
transportation issues. Times are hard, and money not easy to come by, when you do the
math, count wins to losses, and all Veterans involved, any other decision, does not make
good sense.
Their first mistake was allowing government to spend money that should of went to the
Department of Veteran Affairs in care of our Secretary, and not give the Veteran a Voice
in the matter. Lets not make another and allow politics to bypass the Veteran. I am not
against the Accountability Act, 2014, but know the commitment to keep our current
system in good order, and this does not take a medical miracle, it does take the
Brotherhood Bond and all Veterans to stand together.

I thank you Secretary McDonald, and support your decisions having the majority of
Veterans interest in mind.
THE VOICE OF THE VETERAN, Written by Raw Ink.
Thank you sincerely, U.S. Army Veteran Jeff Hairabedian