Barriers to Providing Sufficient Healthcare and Support to Veterans

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Veteran’s Health Care
Introduction
Military battles and wars have left a large number of veterans in anguish. Most of these veterans are suffering from physical and/or psychological problems. The main causes of their problems are sexual and combat assault (Kintzle, 935). Medical records indicate "that one in three patients was diagnosed with at least one mental health disorder, 41% were diagnosed with either a mental health or a behavioral adjustment disorder," (Ouimette, 212). Veterans can be assisted to overcome their nightmares through medical and/or psychological help. However, administering treatments to war victims is a very high-risk endeavor because of their different reactions to traumatic events faced while on duty. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can also occur while the veterans are on the active line of duty. Veterans also turn to drugs for self-medication which leads to Substance Use Disorder (SUDs). Thus, it is imperative that veteran health is taken seriously to help them cope with members of the public because of the hardship that is faced in offering health services to military men and veterans.
Discussion
Veterans’ health care is a very critical area in the US. However, the level of veterans’ health care is one that is riddled with some disturbing elements. This means that there are aspects that should be addressed before veterans can enjoy the required quality of health care. This section of health has serious issues with policies while it is expected to have the most straightforward guidelines given the vast contribution veterans provide to the country. We do not need to see our military men come home and get disappointed with the level of health care they get after fighting for the country. Therefore, his paper discusses problems that are associated with veterans' health care.
Majority of the Veterans are Facing More Serious Problems
After many years of duty, military people have to leave and are replaced by others. However, others leave their duties before time. Nonetheless, most of the veterans leaving duty are facing severe health challenges. The issues are difficult to handle for the victims and healthcare practitioners. The challenges include mental health issues that are related to harsh conditions and extremely traumatic experiences military people go through on the battlefield and other duties (Kimerling, 1407). One of the most common illnesses is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that affects almost every one of them. Most of the experiences are not bearable which means that want they do to survive or save their lives disturbs or haunts them throughout their lives.
Besides mental problem, veterans face many other serious illnesses such as Substance Use Disorder (SUDs), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), urologic injuries, musculoskeletal injuries and pain, and chemical exposure. This means that our veterans have very serious needs which need to be discussed and handled using advanced approaches. This issue can be solved through reforms on the veterans' health care sector to ensure that they can access mental health care with ease. However, because some of the health complications may consequently lead to death, integrated or collaborative health care approaches should be adopted including helping veterans re-integrate with the community after leaving their duties.
Unwillingness/Ignorance among Veterans
A report shows that some of the veterans, including those suffering from serious mental illnesses such as PTSD are reluctant to seek medical attention or psychological help (Ouimette, 212). It is unfortunate that we have such cases in our country despite the constant call by the department for veterans to access the available PTSD specialty cares in the department of VA facilities. This makes the situation worse for the ailing veterans and some become a threat to people who are close to them. There are various arguments that can be used to explain such behaviors.
According to Ouimette et al., there is a relationship between PSTD and perceived hindrances which is primarily the patients' avoidance symptoms (212). Additionally, studies show that social interventions and patient-oriented approaches that are adopted may lead to stigma issues depending on the nature of the specific clinical intervention (Sharp et al., 145). For example, a veteran's convictions regarding seeking help (such as how men perceive themselves as tough and that it is a weakness to ask for help or act needy) may become a hindrance to accessing a medical care facility. However, this challenge can be dealt with through various interventions. One of them suggests that veterans' health can be improved by upgrading the levels of comfort with those veterans who seek help.
Department of VA Health Care is a High-Risk Area
The department was designated as a high-risk sector in 2015 and this aspect shows how the department hinders veterans' health care provision (U.S. GAO, n.p). This sector operates the largest health care delivery system in the country. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the VA has 168 health centers as well as over 1,000 facilities for outpatient services that are organized through regional networks (U.S. GAO, n.p). Additionally, the number of veterans being enrolled is increasing and the number of potential enrollees is also on the rise. The growth in demand for VA health care services by veterans has been caused by military men and women returning from America's military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan (Kimerling, 1410). Moreover, the aging population for veterans is increasing and the trend will continue for a significant period of time. For instance, according to U.S. GAO, the number of veterans enrolled in health care system of the VA increased from 7.9 to 9 million between 2006 and 2016.
Moreover, U.S. GAO states that the total budget for the VHA has increased from $37.8 to $91.2 billion from 2006-2016. However, there are cases of transparency, accountability, and reliability issues in the healthcare budget estimates. The budget issues can be solved by increasing the budget estimates to cater for the process and increase the ease of providing health care. The risk nature of the department can be reduced by improving transparency, reliability, and consistency of the medical services budget estimates and dealing with flaws in the process of tracking obligations (U.S. GAO, n.p). There is also need for care coordination between community providers and the VA. Additionally, the Department of Defense and VA should also coordinate to prevent unfavorable veterans' health outcomes.
Disappointing/Unsatisfactory Management
There are many claims that are still waiting at the VA. Moreover, Veteran Affairs application process in the country is still adversarial and complicated. Contrary to what the vast majority thinks, veterans do not get automatic enrollment into the VA after completing their different military duties (O'Shea, n.p.). Veterans also need help to complete complicated applications and by the time they are through, they are already in adverse stages. Most of the veterans take a lot of time to have their first access to VA facilities including health care. This could delay their recovery process and even lead to death if their problems are sev...