Columbia VA Health Care System

"Transferred from Tampa where I received awesome care & all my specialty Dr's were either heads of depts or a professor at the medical college. If I had an issue they were quick to order tests & get to root of problem. Moved here this past Mar & it's the worst care I have received since being medavaced from combat zone in 2004. I had to go to ER today for bloody stools, weakness & abdominal pain. I actually passed out in the ER. My blood was taken, Dr said all your blood work is fine, you're being discharged. I looked at him with a blank stare. I'm a MS patient, I can't keep any food down without it coming out either end for 2 weeks, & he says GI will call you for an appt. Anyone that knows the VA knows you're not getting that appt in a few days. It will take months for an appt and months to get in for whatever tests that need completed. So, in the meantime I'm supposed to stay off my MS meds for months & fear another relapse, bleed everytime I go to the bathroom, literally, continue not to keep food down & loose weight rapidly. My platelets are extremely low, 72, I have petechiae on my legs where blood vessels are bursting & these clowns in the ER don't do a single test to see what's going on. No stool sample to make sure I don't have an infection. No CT scan of the abdomen to see if my intestines or colon is enlarged, no neuro work up to make sure I'm not having another MS flare...absolutely nothing. I'm not sure what ring they got this Dr out of but the circus called & wants it clown back!"

"Took a long time to find a place to park. When I went inside to my appointment, I was late because of parking issues. They had the nerve to say and I quote: oh. It's the vast fault your late ?: I told them he'll ya. After I explained it to doctor that came out for some other vet. He said that no time for me. I got pissed and left. Never looked back at that place since then. Jerks..."

"Very nice staff but good luck getting an appointment, in touch w your doctors or care team, or any information about your health or health care. They created a whole new system so there is no way to contact anyone directly and they refuse to leave voicemails with return phone numbers. The most frustrating health care experiences I've ever had."

"My brother just came in this morning. He said he was treated so great, and everyone was so attentive, understanding and made his experience wonderful. I can’t thank you everyone enough at this facility for treating him with kindness and respect, him being a veteran with PTSD it makes such a difference when he is treated the right way. Thank you so much."

"Worst care anywhere. You don't matter and they hope you die. Refusing me insulin with a 13.6 A1c and directors secretary told me though I tried talking to everyone in chain of command told me I wasn't important enough to talk to. I am sorry I ever allowed myself into being a soldier. I should self recognize as a dog they get better care. Please just go to er and call it but they won't pay so I don't know what to tell you but avoid this place at all cost"