Why We Must Speak up about VA Community Care

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Speaking Out: Why We Must Raise Our Voices for Better VA Community Care

I’ve been through the system three times since 2021. I’ve seen its flaws firsthand—the inefficiencies, the lack of accountability, the pain caused by delays and errors. I’ve lived the nightmare of navigating the VA Community Care Program (VCCP) and its shortcomings, and I know how overwhelming it can feel to push back against a system that seems too massive to change.

But here’s the thing: nothing changes unless we speak up.

The Fear of Speaking Out

I’ve heard it over and over from other veterans: “I want to say something, but I’m afraid it’ll affect my care.”

That fear is real, and it’s valid. The idea of being labeled as a troublemaker or losing access to care is terrifying, especially when we’re already fighting battles with our health. But staying silent only allows the problems to persist. The delays, the lack of oversight, the low-quality providers—they don’t just disappear because we endure them quietly.

By speaking up, we give a voice to the countless veterans who feel the same way but are too afraid to act. Together, our voices are stronger.

Why I’m Speaking Out

I’ve faced the consequences of a broken system. I’ve experienced:

  • Fragmented medical records that left my VA providers unaware of treatments I received through the VCCP.
  • Low-quality care from community providers that worsened my condition.
  • Bureaucratic delays that left me waiting in agony for procedures and approvals.
  • The frustration of being my own advocate in a system that should have been advocating for me.

The worst part? The “Deny and Defend” culture that made it feel like mistakes were swept under the rug, with no accountability and no resolution.

I’m speaking out because I know I’m not the only one. Veterans like us deserve better.

“Warning: Someone within the bureaucracy—likely a lawyer—has exempted VA Community Care from the assurances veterans have traditionally relied on and expect from VA healthcare. This exemption means that if there are issues with your care, you are essentially on your own! Claims under 1151 and other protections may not apply.”

What We Can Do Together

I know it feels like the VA is too big, too bureaucratic, and too entrenched to change. But change doesn’t happen all at once—it starts with individuals. It starts with us. Here’s what I’ve learned we can do to make our voices heard and push for improvements:

  1. Share Your Story:
    Your experiences matter. Whether it’s through social media, veteran forums, or directly with advocacy organizations, telling your story helps highlight the problems in the system.

  2. Leverage Resources:
    I’ve found tools that make navigating this system a little easier:

    • American Medical Experts: For medical opinions and Nexus Letters.
    • SecondOpinions.com: To validate diagnoses and treatment plans.
    • Dr. Gillard (Chiro Geek): For detailed reviews of CT scans and MRIs.

    These resources empower us to understand our health and advocate for ourselves.

  3. Use 3D Models to Visualize Your Care:
    I’ve started creating 3D models from my CT scans to see the real story of what’s happening inside my body. These models don’t lie. They’ve helped me understand my surgeries, hold providers accountable, and document my condition for future claims. Anyone can do this with free tools like InVesalius and Meshlab, or I can help for a fraction of the cost of professional labs.

  4. Call for Record Integration:
    One of the biggest failures of the VCCP is that community care records rarely make it back into the VA system. This leaves future providers in the dark and makes accountability almost impossible. We need to demand better coordination between VA facilities and community providers.

  5. Demand Oversight and Quality:
    Low-quality providers should not be part of the VCCP. We need to call for stricter standards and oversight to ensure veterans get the care they deserve.

Overcoming the Fear of Retaliation

I know speaking out feels risky. I worried about it too. But here’s what I’ve realized: staying silent hasn’t helped us. The system continues to fail veterans because it’s not being held accountable.

The VA exists to serve us. We earned that care. It’s our right to demand better—not just for ourselves, but for every veteran who comes after us. Anger and indignation can come from a place of deep care—for yourself and for fellow veterans who find themselves vulnerable in a system that should be protecting them. It’s infuriating to see people left in the dark, subjected to negligence, and then told there’s no recourse.

Yet such emotions are not only valid—they’re a driving force for change. That fighting spirit, channeled constructively, can make a real impact. Your revised approach strikes the balance between expressing righteous anger and creating a message that’s hard to dismiss. Here’s how we can keep the edge without losing the professionalism:

  1. Directly Name the Issues: Use strong, clear language to highlight the system’s failures.
    Example: “The VA Community Care program has failed veterans by leaving them without the protections they expect and deserve.”

  2. Show Empathy for Fellow Veterans: Share the pain and confusion you’ve witnessed, which personalizes the issue and calls for action.
    Example: “Too many veterans are sent into community care under the assumption that they’ll receive the same VA protections—only to discover, often too late, that they’re left on their own with no recourse for negligence.”

  3. Call Out the System, Not Just Individuals: While it feels good to vent at specific roles or people, focusing on the broader system may lead to more allies.
    Example: “This isn’t about one person or one mistake—it’s a systemic failure that undermines the trust and safety veterans have in their care.”

  4. Turn Anger into Advocacy: Use your passion to motivate others to join you in speaking out.
    Example: “I’m not just angry—I’m determined to make sure no veteran feels disrespected, hopeless, or abandoned by the system they fought to trust. We must demand accountability and change.”

It’s okay to let your anger show—it reminds others of what’s at stake. The key is to keep the focus on the systemic injustices and channel that frustration into a rallying cry for reform. Your voice, backed by your experiences and your clear determination, is incredibly powerful. Use it to ignite change!

A Call to Action

If you’ve been let down by the VCCP or the VA system, you’re not alone. I encourage you to speak up—whether it’s through sharing your story, filing complaints, or joining advocacy efforts. If you’re not ready to do it publicly, tell someone who can amplify your voice. Together, we can shine a light on the system’s failures and push for the changes we all need.

Veterans are strong, resilient, and resourceful. We’ve fought battles far tougher than this. The fight for better healthcare is one we can win, but only if we’re willing to stand together.

If you’re ready to share your story or need help navigating this system, I’m here. Let’s fight for the care we deserve.