By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice
When about 90% of the Colorado population wants to see a doctor for an ailment, they call for an appointment and generally within a week or less can be seen on a non-emergency.
Other times, a family practice physician is known to “fit them in today” to an already booked schedule in an emergency.
That’s not so for the other 10%, one Army veteran told U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colo. Springs, during a town hall this week.
“I don’t feel like dying for my country as a peaceful citizen,” said the veteran, who had to wait one month to be seen with a stroke. “It is absolute hell getting treatment from the VA. Every time you call them, you spend an hour plus on hold.”
The veteran’s name is being withheld from this story to protect his identity.
With the U.S. Air Force Academy located in his district, Crank represents a large portion of Colorado’s active-duty and veteran military members.
“The government has made a promise that we will take care of you,” Crank said. “America owes a debt of gratitude to you.”
He pledged to the veteran “never to support cutting benefits” veterans have earned through their service.
Veterans should have the right to see any doctor of their choice, Crank said, renewing a national discussion which those like U.S. Reps. Ken Buck and Doug Lamborn had previously supported.
“I’m for choice,” he said. “There’s lot of veterans who love the VA system. There’s a lot of other veterans who would like to use their own doctor. I’m for that.”
He’s for better health care with shorter wait times.
“We need to do better so that veterans can get the health care they think is best for them,” Crank said.