We can see the VA needs changing

To the editor:

In defense of Dr. Budzak, I feel it must be pointed out that the good doctor had been trying her best to function in the system, which is our veteran’s health care. Merely “overworked” would be an understatement of what she has had to deal with. Having been in her care myself for a few years, I found her to be truly compassionate and caring, even as she was rushed and distracted by the heavy workload assigned her.

Like many vets, I didn’t seek help from Veterans Administration until I was very sick and indigent. I, too, have my share of stories of this misguided system and how it made me worse before helping me get better, but most of that has been the result of dealing with administration in Anchorage.

The system needs all of our help to advocate for ourselves as best we can. I, for one, thought it prudent to step out of the system for second opinions on some issues and reported those results back to Dr. Budzak. She even managed to get a particular prescription I brought back to her placed in the schedule of medicines of VA, so not only I, but others, could benefit from it.

We can see the VA needs changing, but in the meantime, each of us has a certain responsibility to not take no for an answer when it comes to our health care.

The most important thing I’ve been told by VA is — if ever in question of your immediate health, report yourself to an emergency room.

My best advice for dealing with the administration in Anchorage is — don’t. If you get a no from them, pick up the phone and call an outside toll free VA phone number. You may well get a different answer.

Robin Jeffery

Big Lake