The number of veterans seeking care from the VA has shot up in the last few years but across the country, the number of medical staff available to provide healthcare services has not.
A 2014 law, the Veterans Choice and Accountability Act, funneled $2.5 billion to VA medical centers for assistance in hiring more doctors, nurses and other medical staff. However, an investigation by NPR and local member stations conducted earlier this year found that wait times have not improved.
In St. Louis, it wasn’t until fall 2016 that the VA St. Louis Health Care System got its first permanent director since June 2013. Before the 2016 appointment, the local VA health care system had eight interim directors.
On Thursday’s St. Louis on the Air, we heard the second of a three part series about local veterans and their journeys to receive medical care.
Along with assistance from production engineer Aaron Doerr, the series is hosted by Monica Ramirez, a post-9/11 U.S. Army veteran and Mission Continues fellow.
Founded by Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, The Mission Continues works to empower veterans who are adjusting to life at home. Ramirez, a former combat correspondent for the military, served a Mission Continues fellowship with St. Louis Public Radio.
Part 2
We continue the journey with select local veterans and their families as they make their way through the St. Louis VA system.
The second part, through sound-rich narration and storytelling, follows veterans and their families as they meet with doctors and receive health care services from the VA. Their stories reflect a disappointing and isolating experience, though it’s clear that not all veterans share that experience.
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 or text 838255
Music heard in Part 2
- Voices (Phantogram)
- Spanish Armada (Ratatat)
- One (Rockabye Baby!)
- One (Metallica, instrumental guitar cover)
- Up On The Ladder (Radiohead)
- In The Flesh (Pink Floyd, cover by Fol Chen)
- For The Widows In Paradise (Sufjan Stevens)
- Two (Erin Bode)
- Breaker (Low)
- Fireproof (The National)
- 3 Libras (A Perfect Circle, instrumental cover by Matt Haimovitz & Christopher O’Riley)
St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary Edwards, Alex Heuer and Lara Hamdan give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region.
