Turbine wastes money needed for vets’ care
St. Cloud Times | December 16, 2016 | www.sctimes.com
Regarding the turbine at the St. Cloud VA Health Care System campus, the Dec. 8 St. Cloud Times “Our View” states, “it is sad to think of all the lost energy savings that could have been generated since 2011.”
No, it is not sad. It is pathetic to think one alligator tear should be shed for the $2.2 million “flawed monument” that reminds every veteran – and I am one – of equipment or changes that could and should have been done instead.
Perhaps the federal stimulus money should have been used to acquire the E4D Planscan System, which is a computer-aided design/computer manufacturing (CAD/CAM) dental milling machine that would allow the St. Cloud VA Dental Clinic to make its own crowns for veterans.
The current system requires that all crowns, bridges, etc. required for veterans have “impressions” sent to the central VA lab in San Antonio, Texas. This process requires the veteran to wait 7 to 8 weeks for the final product. If the temporary crown should break or fall out, additional time is required to put in a new temporary, taking time that could be used to serve other veterans.
Perhaps the federal stimulus money could be used to change how pills are ordered for veterans. Only certain doses of medications are ordered, so if the veteran requires a smaller dose, they have to cut the pill and hope they get the dose right. Lest I forget, the VA does provide pill cutters. Why would the VA be required to do that instead of just prescribing to specific amount?
Now we see the expenditure of another $300,000 on this “flawed monument!”
The Department of Veteran Affairs and jobs it provides was built on the backs of the American veteran. You want to be sad? Think about that!
PATRICIA A. WILSON, ST. CLOUD
The author is a 100 percent service-connected female Vietnam veteran, and I receive all my medical, dental, and mental health care at the St. Cloud VA.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/12/17/turbine-wastes-money-needed-for-vets-care/