Birmingham Veteran Battles VA for Dental Care
Birmingham, Alabama – As the nation takes a moment to honor our brave veterans, one local hero, Army veteran Bill Carroll, is finding himself in a frustrating battle with the Birmingham VA over much-needed dental care. Carroll, a Vietnam veteran who served in the northern part of Vietnam, is on a mission to have his voice heard, and he’s not alone. Veterans across the country are facing similar challenges when it comes to accessing dental services through the VA.
A Soldier’s Story
Bill Carroll, who once fearlessly jumped out of helicopters and airplanes during the Vietnam War, is now facing a different kind of struggle. After retiring from Regions Bank, Carroll has been trying to secure reconstructive dental work due to years of grinding his teeth. “I got a bad mouth. I have ground my teeth my whole life, and it’s really caused me some problems,” he admits candidly.
In May, Carroll’s dentist, a former Air Force serviceman, sent a letter to the VA requesting approval for the reconstruction work. But what should have been a straightforward process has turned into a waiting game of epic proportions. Six months later, Carroll is still in limbo, and each time he tries to follow up, he feels like he’s getting the runaround.
Feeling Lost in the System
“You call the VA to find out why, and you sort of get the runaround,” Carroll explains, frustration evident in his voice. “They will refer it to the dental area, but you can’t actually speak with anyone there.” To make matters worse, Carroll was informed that there’s only one person in Birmingham who has the authority to approve his dental work. This situation leaves him feeling powerless and questioning how things could be run so inefficiently.
“A good plan poorly executed is much worse than a bad plan well executed. They failed to execute,” Carroll says bluntly, expressing his disappointment with the current state of affairs.
Support from Fellow Veterans
Carroll is not the only one feeling the heat. Pat Murray, legislative director for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, highlights that “some of the major issues with VA dental care is lack of access and lack of services available.” According to Murray, many veterans are left waiting months just for an appointment. He likens the situation to countless veterans trying to squeeze through a tiny doorway, causing significant delays and hurdles.
Murray and others are actively advocating for change, aiming to reduce the burdens placed on veterans when accessing care. “VA’s budget is $300 plus billion dollars. You can’t spend that much money on a federal agency and still put this much burden on the veterans,” Murray states emphatically.
Bill Carroll’s Mission
While Carroll is determined to resolve his dental situation, he emphasizes the importance of being a voice for others who may not have the ability to speak up. “I am more interested in making sure the system is right. We just need to be the squeaky wheel so that people in Washington pay attention,” he emphasizes.
In response to the ongoing situation, a spokesperson for the Birmingham VA Health Care System reassured that they are committed to providing “world-class, timely care” for veterans. They encourage any veteran facing challenges with their care or billing to reach out to their assigned care team or patient advocate for assistance.
Looking Ahead
The issue of long wait times and the need for efficient approval processes for veteran care is being addressed on a broader level. Murray points out that proposed legislation, the 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, is set to be discussed on the House floor soon. This may pave the way for important changes that could help reduce waiting times for veterans like Carroll.
In a world where every second counts, it’s crucial that our veterans receive the proper care and attention they rightfully deserve. As Carroll bravely battles through this bureaucratic maze, one thing is clear: there’s a pressing need for improvements in the system to ensure that all veterans can access the medical assistance they require without unnecessary struggle.
