Deny and Defend

What AI thinks about VA Community Care

by

The VA Community Care Program (VCCP) is an essential initiative designed to provide veterans with broader access to healthcare services when VA facilities cannot meet their needs. In theory, it should help alleviate long wait times, increase access to specialized care, and bring healthcare closer to veterans in rural or underserved areas. However, it’s clear … Read more

Ensuring Accountability and Quality in VA Community Care

by

The Role of Second Opinions and 3D Models A recent GAO report to Congress highlighted a troubling issue within the VA Community Care Program (VCCP): the presence of low-quality providers within the system. Veterans’ experiences echo this concern, pointing to lapses in care quality and accountability that often leave them vulnerable to poor outcomes. For … Read more

United Healthcare CEO Shooting Highlights Deny and Defend Crisis

by

Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend In the AP article titled “Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics” reports on the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. At the crime scene, authorities discovered ammunition inscribed with the words “deny,” “defend,” … Read more

Understanding Spinal Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide

by

Understanding Spinal Surgery Spinal surgery can be a daunting journey, but understanding the basics of spinal anatomy, types of procedures, and the recovery process can empower patients to advocate for themselves and achieve better outcomes. This guide provides a detailed look at spinal surgery, from preparation to long-term recovery, and offers valuable resources to help … Read more

Resources to Navigate VA Community Care

by

Navigating the VA Community Care Program (VCCP) [or any spine surgery] can feel like a nightmare for many, as systemic issues like fragmented records, low-quality providers, and the “Deny and Defend” culture leave people vulnerable to poor care and unresolved mistakes. While the challenges are real, there are resources to help take control of the … Read more

A Thousand Days of Agony

by

A Thousand Days of Agony: My Journey Through Pain, Loss, and Resilience This excerpt details a veteran’s harrowing experience with medical negligence, focusing on a botched spinal fusion surgery and the subsequent inadequate care received from the Veterans Affairs (VA). The author recounts the initial surgical error, the prolonged delay in addressing complications, and the resulting severe physical … Read more

Audio Interview with a VA Spine Patient

by

This interview details a veteran’s complex medical history, focusing on a series of back surgeries and their complications. Multiple medical records document the surgeries, their failures, resulting disabilities, and the ongoing struggle to receive appropriate VA disability compensation. The discussion includes various medical reports, imaging results, and communication with VA staff regarding the veteran’s care and claim. The veteran’s account highlights alleged negligence by the VA and the need for corrective surgeries. Finally, there are forms related to filing a claim for compensation, demonstrating the bureaucratic process involved.

Audio Player

Read Comprehensive Guide for Spinal Surgery

Reference

Deny and Defend: Systemic Failures in VA Healthcare

by

The “Deny and Defend” approach in healthcare refers to a traditional strategy where medical institutions deny responsibility for errors, adopt a defensive legal posture, and avoid transparency in communicating with patients and families. While increasingly criticized in modern healthcare for its detrimental effects, this approach continues to harm veterans in the VA healthcare system and … Read more

Update on my VA SF95 Claim

by

My Federal Tort Claim (SF95) My Federal Tort Claim filed against the Dallas VA Medical Center for medical negligence. The claim centers on the VA’s two-year delay in addressing documented loose pedicle screws following spinal surgery, which ultimately resulted in permanent spinal ankylosis. Stuart argues that the VA’s failure to act on their own imaging … Read more

UTSW Failed to Diagnose Pedicle Screw Lucency

by

Dr Patel, UT Southwestern failure to diagnose and treat spine issues after radilogy found loose pedicle screws The UTSW consultation highlights a series of systemic failures in the care of a patient with a history of lumbar surgeries. There were communication breakdowns between the VA and outside providers, a conflict of interest in referring the … Read more