Last week I went to see a doctor at the local army hospital. My wife is still in the army and I have the special privilege of being provided military "health care." (OK, I know sarcasm doesn't always read well -- army health care is an oxymoron, and is more a sentence than a privilege)
Anyway, I see this doctor, who I've never seen before, just to get refills for the medicines I take for back pain. The contracted, civilian doctor took time to ask me many questions about my back pain. I told him chiropractic treatment would relieve the pain for a day but the pain quickly returned. I'd had X-rays taken and knew I had some degeneration and bone spurs -- very common for any soldier, especially those who wear Kevlar helmets often, like I did. But my X-rays were a year old and this new doctor wanted to update my records and try to see if further degeneration had occurred. Having to physically life my wife out of bed for 3 years has aggravated my back pain significantly. This doctor referred me immediately for an MRI and physical therapy. He was quite surprised that I had not been recommended for these tests and treatments already.
I was very happy to have a PT referral and to have an MRI scheduled.
BUT NOW I'M PISSED!
Other active duty soldiers (including my wife) going through the MEB process at this same hospital are treated like shit at what has been named the "Deployment Health Clinic." Some soldiers, once an MEB starts, transfer to the Medical Hold Company. Med Hold is a good thing for the army because it helps personnel managers track soldier status and unit fighting strength more accurately.
At our hospital all soldiers assigned to Med Hold are also assigned to the Deployment Health Clinic (DHC). The DHC is in a sad state of affairs. My wife's treatment from providers at that clinic has been deplorable. But her story is, unfortunately, not unique.
I felt the red carpet was rolled out for me at my appointment. I received outstanding medical care from a professional staff. I did not discuss much of my military history, just some medical concerns, with this doctor, I would assume he treats every single patient he sees in the same manner he treated me: with respect and acknowledgement of my personal assessment of my prior treatments and future concerns.
So for now we continue to fight administrative battles inside the hospital regarding this piss-poor treatment of injured soldiers. Some of the most handicapped soldiers are assigned to Med Hold and DHC and they deserve much better than to be dismissed as weak-minded or just complaining.
But it's also time to turn up the intensity of complaints. The public needs to know how
- Ragin' Ranger Out
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