I choose the VA Health System…every time

Many years ago, two good friends of mine, Jesse Jeselonis and Ron Camaioni, recommended becoming part of the VA Health System. I procrastinated but they none the less kept after me. I am very thankful they did. 

At the Providence VA you are treated like a person, not like a number, like a paycheck or like an intrusion in the private health care world. In fact, “hats off” to the entire staff of the entire Providence VA. The staff there are performing an exceptional job in a very trying time. The Providence system is an up and coming facility, with numerous NEW state of the art diagnostic instrumentation. A multi-level parking garage opened recently, addressing the parking issue which is now an issue of the past. COVID-19 has caused some changes like valet parking are now suspended, however, keeping with the “Veterans Come First” mindset, golf carts are buzzing about shuttling veterans and their loved ones to and from the parking lots.

The care I receive at the VA is exceptional. The care is much more personalized than anything I received in the private sector. They double and sometimes triple check who you are and your reason for being there. In the private medical sector, it seems it’s always a “turn them out” mentality, and the staff in Providence goes out of their way to ensure your questions are answered with a smile, as opposed to making you feel like your questions are bothersome. The Providence staff definitely puts the veteran first. Numerous times I stepped aside to allow a female staff member to pass through a door first, and found chivalry is put aside as I’m informed that veterans are first. Even with some insistence of chivalry, I am met with a smile and “Sir, Veterans first”.  

While on a fishing trip in Maine my now ex-girlfriend was careless and embedded a fishing lure in my head. Upon going to inland hospital in Waterville, I walked away with a $838 bill that my health insurance would not cover as I did not meet my $2500 Obamacare deductible. Had I possessed VA healthcare, the VA in Augusta would have removed said lure for free. I was paying a $3000/year policy coupled with a $2500 deductible – for what?  When my employer said he was forced to drop the Blue Cross insurance due to another 20% premium increase, that was it. VA healthcare, here I come. 

Jesse and Ron both commented “it is about time”. Yes, enrolling was long overdue.  Even if you have health insurance the VA can be the way to go as they will bill your insurance and absorb the rest. There were issues with wait times in other parts of the United States that President Trump addressed, and I have yet to encounter any delay here. When one goes for a physical an entire hour is allotted to the Veteran whereas in the private sector it is 15-minutes and you are shuffled out the door.

I cannot say enough about the Providence VA.  It is one of the few positives in this dumpster fire of a year, 2020. Even with COVID-19 the Providence VA are holding their own. Plus, the staff is very easy the eyes.

The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the author(s).

Jeffrey “Jeff” Gross spent 21 years as an Analytical Chemist at the USCG R&D Center in Groton, Connecticut, Woods Hole Laboratories, and Helix Technologies. Changing careers is a “great learning experience for everyone”, Jeff says, and I’m an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, a student of the sciences, and the world. The US holds too many wonders not to take a chance and explore them”.

Jeff is a Model Train and Railroad entrepreneur. Proud Golden Retriever owner. Ultra strong Second Amendment Advocate and Constitutionalist. “Determined seeker of the truth”. 

Jeff is a RIFGPA Legislative officer, Freshwater Chairman, NRA Liaison, FRISC Delegate.

His subjects include Outdoors, Second Amendment, Model Railroading, and Whimsical.