Wednesday, November 27, 2024
34.0°F

VA CDA service lacking

by Trevor Mangold Guest Opinion
| December 7, 2019 12:00 AM

I read with interest Monday, Nov. 18, the Press articles about the VA clinic in Coeur d’Alene, with their excellent service.

Couldn’t be the VA CDA I joined three years ago. Phone’s the same, address is the same, but the service they provide — far from it.

Here’s my reason.

I finally disregard all publicity about the VA nationwide. I came to Idaho 10 years ago. Had public medical treatment. My three brothers, all veterans along with me and my Dad, a World War I veteran, encouraged me to join the VA clinic for medical help. They were getting excellent care at Fort Harrison, near Helena, Mont., a 50-mile one-way trip.

Before I left Montana, I was called upon to take him to Fort Harrison. I worked for an excellent company and under the circumstances, I was able to take off an afternoon for my Dad’s appointment, got right in, and returned to Great Falls in time for dinner. He would get a clean checkup. He was wounded in France — trench warfare with the Germans. Anyway, sitting in the waiting room and conversing with receptionists, I got some insight on how they operate.

In fall 2017, I went to VA in Coeur d’Alene, applied for membership. In a month or so I was a VA member. No doctors were available; all booked up. They put me on Choice program, assigned me a gal for a go-between and a civilian doctor; he was excellent.

Several months later, called gal go-between. She left several months before. No word from VA. Called for a doctor’s appointment and needed drug refills and had a sleeping condition — I needed a sleeping pill. The gal who answered the phone advised he had resigned a month and a half ago and moved to Florida.

VA never notified me.

Later, I called VA CDA asking to be assigned a doctor. Gal who answered said they would get right on it.

Two weeks later called again as no response. Same result, gal would get right on it. I had NO contact with VA CDA.

I dropped in family medicine, CDA to inquire who was my former VA doctor. Contact at Coeur d’Alene VA, Kristy, was very helpful, not only finding an appointment with a doctor. She said would be helpful in getting a VA doctor, he has good rapport with this contact with VA CDA clinic. Have appointment with him.

When my doctor transferred my drugs to VA Spokane, he goofed up one. Walgreens, former supplier, was giving me three bottles of nose spray. No big deal. Had to call for refill every 15 days or so. Kristy got right on it. VA CDA couldn’t help. Anyway, four or so days later, a package of three arrived.

I’m 90 years old and can’t walk. I get around in a wheelchair. My poor wife gets me in the car, puts my wheelchair in the trunk. Very efficient. She handles my drugs — blood pressure, prostate, sleeping, and several others — and keeps my calendar on appointments, etc. Meals, helps me to bed each night. Couldn’t live without her.

•••

Trevor E. Mangold is a Hayden resident.