Universal healthcare works fine for the military, why or why not civilain?

For the most part, the military and veteran's medical system work very well. But like in anything there are exceptions. I personally had a very bad experience with Air Force doctors back in the early 70's, but once I got past the student quack at the dispensary, I got much better care.

In my experience, the problems with military and veteran's medical care stems from two things: First, all military and veterans' hospitals are teaching hospitals. So many of the doctors you see there are interns, or even medical students with very little experience. They are supposed to be closely supervised by more experienced doctors, but because of understaffing, lazy doctors, or for whatever reason, that is not always the case.

The second problem is, or has historically been, a severe lack of funding. That has led to short staffing, overworked personnel, sub-standard facilities, limited availability of some equipment andmedications, etc. Until the problems at Walter Reed were discovered by the media, the conditions in part of that hospital complex were deplorable due to underfunding and incompetent management.

Since I was in the military, the medical services have improved drastically. In the late 60's and early 70's, when I was in the Air Force, if my wife or kids were sick, I was told (not jokingly) "That's a personal problem, the Air Force didn't issue you a wife (or kids)." You couldn't get time off to take them to the doctor or to take care of them. That was a personal problem and they were on their own. I currently know of a couple in the Air Force who have a child with a unique medical problem which requires many trips to a specialist 3,000 miles from where they are stationed. The Air Force pays to fly the child and one of the parents there, pays for their hotel rooms, rental car and meals for all of them. What a difference!

There are some horror stories about military and veterans' medical care to be sure, but it has come a long way even though funding has been cut.

ADDED: For those who dread universal health care in America, and who say they could get better service from civilian doctors - that may be true, but only if you can afford it, or afford the insurance to pay for it. If you don't have good insurance or a lot of money and need signifiant health care, you will have to go to a public hospital, like a county general, and with a few possible exceptions, your care will be much worse there than in any military hospital. That is if you can get any care at all.

If we are going to say that we are "pro-life" and not just pro-birth, then we need a system where the health care of the poor does not suffer because the resources go to those more fortunate (or more wealthy), where children do not have to be deprived of health care because their parent got laid off and lost their insurance, and where every human being is guaranteed quality health care.

I have Tricare and I'm the one to tell you it doesn't work "fine." In fact, it would be downright inhumane to add 200 million more people to an already broken program. I've had so many problems with it that I wish they'd give us the option to choose civilian doctors, where I'd receive MUCH better care and much less waiting.

While serving Tricare (it was formally serviced by Champus) is great, however when retired it is only a supplemental service.

The reason that the system works so good for the military is because it utilizes military doctors, nurses, administrators...etc.

The military is a lot smaller and most of the members and their family are younger and in pretty good condition.

I would argue that the VA system is broken, and has been for some time.

just remember my friend this is the land

where the discrimination was born..

the rich people of this country they have a nightmare

when you talk about Universal healthcare thats why!!!

Americans are not the top priority for US Government..