Marine's death in hospital examined

[saigon68]

Marine's death in hospital examined.

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/12/04/Hillsborough/Marine_s_death_in_hos.shtml

Family members say he was doing well while recuperating at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center.


By PAUL DE LA GARZA, Times Staff Writer
Published December 4, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TAMPA - Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi has asked the VA inspector general to investigate the mysterious death of a 21-year-old Marine at James A. Haley VA Medical Center.

In a statement Friday night, Principi spokeswoman Cynthia Church said hospital officials also asked the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner to look into the death of Lance Cpl. Jonathan E. Gadsden "since it was unexplained."

According to the Pentagon, Gadsden, of Jamestown, S.C., was seriously injured in Iraq in August. He died at Haley two months later.


ON EDIT---Checking to see if this has been counted as a death counting against the 1300 plus.


Yes Indeed counted as below

# 1242 10/22/04 Gadsden, Jonathan E. Lance Corporal 21 U.S. Marine 1st Combat Engr. Bat., 1st Marine Div., I Mar. Exped. Force Hostile - hostile fire Vet's Hospital, Tampa, FL Charleston South Carolina US

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Ok didn't this crap go on

during the height of the Nam war? I REMEMBER reading of this... (adn for the record the VA never left a good impression, but still)

[saigon68]

2. Yes lots of Vets died in VA hospitals in the 60s & 70s

A lot still do thanks to the medical staff from Pakistan, India et al.

Who are working on H-2 Visas until they gain their citizenship and then become millionaires in the LAND OF OPPORTUNITY. (AMERIKA)

[GoldenOldie]

3. Death Count

I understood that the only deaths being counted were those in country ...Iraq/Afghanistant. Deaths in transport or at Laundstuhl and other military hospitals were not included.

Sounds just like Vietnam and I worked at an Army Hospital during that time.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. IT is like Vietnam, it is Vietnma II, only WORST

as hard as it is to imagine... our casualty numbers are now well beyond 1963, and quickly aproaching '66... god I hate these people and what they are doing to us...

And due to the extremely bad leadership... May Lai has already happened if you get my drift and wrost things are happening... those vets will come back to a country that does not even know we are at war... in that sense this is like Korea, the Forgotten war...

[saigon68]

5. THEY WILL KILL THEIR WIVES AND GIRLFRIENDS

SOME MAY EVEN TURN OUT LIKE MCVEIGH.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Trust me I know

only reason this was not more wide spread in GW I was... it was not long enough... but trust me I know...

[Ima]

9. sadly it has already happened

I've heard of three cases where they have killed their wives. They were on a base in the south somewhere.

[Niche]

13. Saw a soldier just back from Iraq who lost it in a crowd...

(This was last year at a concert. Tragic) screaming "F**k Hussen!" wanted the crowd to chant with him. He just kept screaming in people's faces... people kept doing their own thing... a sea of apathy...

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. A side note regarding suicides

Do you by chance have any info regarding troops coming back from Iraq and committing suicide?

I remember right after we invaded Afghanistan, there was a rash of such incidents, especially among the Special Ops guys at Fort Bragg?

I'm curious because I recently heard that those 'suicides' were mostly among the group of Spec Ops guys that were at Tora Bora and saw Osama get his free ride out on a military helicopter.

[LynnTheDem]

12. Yes deaths out of country are counted.

If they're wounded in-country & later die out of country, they are included.

[Elidor]

7. Your post is irresponsible

If you want to say that medical staff from Pakistan & India are incompetent, you should cite examples, rather than making a gross generalization and then citing them for greed. Back up your charges or don't bother making them. You do your own argument a disservice by throwing out charges without evidence.

btw - I love that sig graphic. :thumbsup:

[saigon68]

10. Ever been to a VA hospital??

Ever ask a Vet about who treats him/her at the VA hospital ?

Ever ask a Vet if he likes the care received at a VA hosital ?

btw I love your sig line too !!


BY THE WAY ALSO HERE'S MY PROOF


http://www.firebase.net/NEWS20PAGE/va_hospitals_skirt_the_law_to_em.htm

VA hospitals skirt the law to employ foreign doctors

Tuesday, January 30, 2001

By JOAN MAZZOLINI

PLAIN DEALER

Cleveland, Ohio


VA hospitals must justify hiring foreign doctors by showing the need is so great that a medical service would be severely affected or even stopped. But many were hired in part-time positions, a Plain Dealer review of VA's hiring practices found.

The VA says the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service endorsed those part-time hires, even though immigration laws allow foreigners to stay only for full-time jobs. However, INS officials said they weren't aware that foreign doctors were being hired for part-time VA positions.

VA officials, who would answer questions only in writing, said that because U.S. doctors often look for more lucrative jobs, hiring foreign doctors "allows VA to hire exceptionally well qualified physicians who otherwise would not be available to care for veterans."

The Salt Lake City veterans’ hospital, for example, requested in 1999 to hire Dr. Srinivasan Beddhu, who had graduated in 1989 from an Indian medical school. VA headquarters turned down the initial request, which was not for a full-time job


THERE'S MORE ---------- HOW MANY MORE WOULD YOU LIKE????????????????

I AM A VSO AND I KNOW OF WHAT I SPEAK

[saigon68]

11. Lied to

[murielm99]

14. Where is that billboard located?

Is it a real billboard?

[saigon68]

26. YES BILLBOARD (was) REAL EL PASO TEXAS

http://www.firebase.net/NEWS%20PAGE/nvobillboard.htm

Group Hopes Billboard



Raises Veterans' Issues

Daniel Perez

El Paso Times

05/15/00

A veterans group that says the government has broken its promises to them has put up a billboard in El Paso to help get other veterans angry enough to join their cause. The group also wants to make prospective recruits think twice about joining the military.

A large image of Uncle Sam saying "I lied to you about veteran's benefits" stands at the gateway to Northeast El Paso near Dyer and the Patriot Freeway.



The National Veterans Organization of America paid several thousand dollars for the large north-facing billboard and 10 bus bench signs.
The goal is to stir up the estimated 59,000 veterans in El Paso and spread the word among younger family members and friends who are considering joining the military, said the group's executive director, Douglas McArthur.

"In a military town like this, we hope it raises the question if our government will honor its promises," McArthur said. "Why should veterans have to beg for medical care?" The group's concerns include what they call limited access to health care, unfair pension plans and a poor system of handling claims.

[Niche]

15. Saigon, this billboard is so powerful. It's getting worse for vets...

now isn't it? It's unbearable... and infuriating.

[HeeBGBz]

23. Excellent billboard. We need more of those.

Counteract those hideous Orwellian ones touting our "leader."

[leftchick]

16. I have worked at a VA hospital....

for about 5 years in the 1980's. I absolutely agree with what you have said saigon. It is sad but true folks!

[0007]

21. Old vets like me have to get our meds through the VA

I just had a friend die of a heart attack because the VA didn't get his heart medicine right.

I'm having a hard time getting the meds I need because the pharmacy is run by a bunch of dummies and can't keep up with the new medicines that are coming out, and the foreign doctors don't want to rock the boat.

[MADem]

27. It's due to "the formulary"

Those newer drugs just ARE NOT AVAILABLE. The pharmacies don't stock an awful lot of them. It's all about the money.

Here's what might help you, if using VA pharmacies is your only option, or if you are a military retiree on a very fixed income and do not want to use civilian pharmacies or the mail in pharmacy, with their resulting different copays which are based on generic vs. branded meds.

Get "the formulary" from the pharmacy you use. Often this is available on the web, or you can get a printed list from the pharmacy. It is just a list of the drugs they stock.

Here's the odd deal with this insane government--while, on the one hand, they are shoveling out the Viagra and Cialis and whatnot to the sheeple in the public, while they are protecting the big pharma companies from those 'dangerous' imports, while they are fast-tracking drugs through the FDA approval process, they are using PREDOMINANTLY generics, which of course are WAY cheaper, to treat our aged vets and wounded soldiers. If it ain't on the formulary, you can't get it, unless you go and pay the big bucks on your own. This is a "cost cutting" measure, and I have noted with great dismay that ever since Bill Clinton left office, it has gotten way, way worse.

You need to take "the formulary" to your personal physician, sit down and talk with him/her, and find out if there is a generic on the list that will do the trick for your condition. Also, when your doc writes out the prescription, insist that "generic equivalent" is noted on the form, so the pharmacist can legally substitute the generic version of the drug.

This is NOT a solution--I am rather disgusted with the cheapass management of military and veteran's health care issues--but it is a short term band aid that might help you, if your doctor is willing to take the time to carefully review the list of available meds and tailor your treatment to fit.

[0007]

28. Thanks for the information

So your saying I go to the VA pharmacy and ask for the formulary listings? And then run this by either the VA doctor or my personal doctor, to find a generic?

I'm a little confused. I tried searching the web for this formulary thingie, but guess I'm not doing something right, LOL

The two drugs I need are (Foradil Aerolizer 12mcg) and
(Spiriva HandiHaler). I applied for my Medicare prescription card that has a $600 dollar credit per year. My credit will be gone in four months because of the price of these drugs.

There are so many hoops to jump through that it becomes a full time frustrating job.

Any more help would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Very sad story for #1242. What a shame. Thanks, saigon68...... n/t

[Pepperbelly]

17. I'm VA eligible but have not darkened their doors.

They scare the shit out of me. Everyone I know who sought their help died. More than a few from inattention as much as anything else.

[leftchick]

19. good instincts Pepperbelly...

My Dad is VA eligible as well and after my experience working there I have always said, If he needs any significant medical attention it won't be at a VA hospital!

[Pepperbelly]

20. well, the truth is that I have visited friends and family in VA facilities

so I have kinda darkened their doors but it wasn't to let them do shit to me.

One of my friends who endede up with colon cancer got one of those huge IV infections where the vein was missed and the drip went directly into muscle tissue. It was huge. Freaked him out. Freaked me out. He had to tend to that until he died, sort of a free bonus from his friends at the VA.

He died but he did so in private care.

[rodeodance]

22. Is it true that only troops who die in Irag/Afrag are counted?--If so, is

there another list? (those dying enrought or in hospitals, etc)?

[LynnTheDem]

25. No it itsn't true

Troops who are wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan but die later from their wounds ARE COUNTED.

ICC;

http://icasualties.org/oif/

[steely]

24. I'm concerned for my uncle's healthcare for the same reason(s).

[villagechild]

29. Sec. Principi

Mr. Principi, Sec. of Veterans Affais (2001-2004) is a combat decorated Vietnam Veteran. He fights tirelessly for Veterans. He's also a Republican, but one of the few that is not a Chickenhawk. There seems to be very few Republicans in the Administration who have actually "served", and it seems to make all the difference in their policies and priorities. Principi really does care deeply for veterans, and I hope he can stay on for the next 4 years. I'm afraid if Bush appoints one more Chickenhawk to this administration, vets will have to take their fight to the street like the 'Bonus Army' had to do in July, 1932. During that March, Retired Marine General Smedley Butler had his boots on the ground for veterans. Mr. Principi is no Butler, but if he's says he's looking into an event or issue, you can believe he will.