Military Health System

[NewEnglandAutumn]

I'm not sure if this is the best place for this but....

The closest thing we have to single payer health coverage is the military health care system. I have been using this system for almost 33years and for the most part I love it. But...
-whenever the presidency changes there are a lot of changes to military health care
-under Regan it was ok for active duty worse for dependents and even morse worse for retirees
-2 years into Bush I it improved a wee bit
-2 years into Clinton improved A LOT
-was fairly stable until..
-2 years into tRump and he is butchering it
-ended over the counter medication program at pharmacies
-tricare shakeup = more red tape (not a disaster)
-now the cuts at military health clinics are disastrous I am seeing massive numbers of civilian providers let go, military staff (docs on down) being told they must transfer but there are no open billets so it is starting to look like forced retirements & force out of the military. Not because of lack of need. They are forcing patients out and into civilian health programs. They are saying preventative care & pre existing conditions will be covered. Word it this is only temporary & new conditions will NOT be covered. The prevailing opinions I'ms hearing is it is to prove government health does not work and to pay for the wall.

The military most defiantly does not like tRump and this is pissing them off more.

[keithbvadu2]

1. shrinking number of military medical personnel?

shrinking number of military medical personnel?

(there is a clever explanation how increasing the workload
of medical personnel will improve patient service)


More Than 17,000 Uniformed Medical Jobs Eyed for Elimination
10 Jan 2019
Military.com | By Tom Philpott

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/01/10/more-17000-uniformed-medical-jobs-eyed-elimination.html

[NewEnglandAutumn]

2. It is deliberate

I have spoken with medical personnel who say they are being forced out. They are reducing the number of billets for doctors and other medical staff then saying they need to transfer. Because they are doing it everywhere there are not open billets. Some can apply for changing their specialty most are being pushed to retire or get out early.
The sad thing is there is a lot of demand. They seem to be trying to create the appearance of a lack of demand by pushing patients out into the civilian market; in the long run it will cost the military and patients more. I can't find a doctor willing to take me or my spouse because of complicated histories but we still can not be seen by the military as of the end of April.