Maybe this is why I went to RENOWN instead of the VA Hospital because I wanted immediate care for a hernia gone bad.

As a disabled veteran I have been going to The Reno VA since the early 70's except for a 10 year period which I did not go there at all for fear of my life. I now go to the VA hospital for a 6 month blood/urine screening. I also see the Doc. to discuss those findings and receive meds. This works pretty good, although lately I had to go to an outside doctor(on my own) to change medications. Some years back, The VA diagnosed I needed a hip replacement. After 1 1/2 years, I did not have a surgery date even though I made many telephone calls and wrote many letters to the VA and Congressman. I was in a walker, couldn't work, I finally gave up and went to an outside doctor and it was done in less than 3 weeks. While I was recuperating, they called and said, good news, you have a surgery date next year. I said scratch me off the list, it is done (They said I slipped through the cracks, it wasn't a crack, it was a Grand Canyon). Perhaps 12 years ago I went in with a kidney stone. I had gotten a ride there with a friend who is a physician. The Doctor who was there had been imported for the weekend. He was an ENT and did not know what to do and said come back Monday. My friend the doctor told him what to do and the stone soon passed (thank God!) About 8 years ago, I injured my shoulder. Next day I went to the VA, they X-rayed my shoulder and said I was fine. I then over a course of 7 years kept going back for pain (it takes 6 to 10 months to get a shot for pain) After 7 years the Doc. said, maybe we should find out why the pain. Some MRI's later, they said I had a very bad rotator cuff problem, which they and outside docs. said was inoperable due to the amount of time since the injury. 2 of the 4 ligaments were completely torn in two. There are a number of other horror stories So, As a general rule, I go there for screening and meds, take my own doctor or go to private physicians. This is socialized medicine at its best and where Obamacare will take You!