Everyone's Opinion Newsletter

Dear Congressman Shuster,

To open, I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to review some issues that I believe should be brought to your attention. I am a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps and I would like to bring the following subjects to the table regarding healthcare within the uniformed services.

One issue is that the uniformed personnel are to make a scheduled appointment with providers to get essential referrals in order to treat their personal needs. Secondly, the public view on how we are referred to on a daily basis. Lastly, the subject of how receiving medical attention is so strongly frowned upon. Now that I have brought these issues to the table I would like to reiterate them into further detail with the best knowledge that I have.

As in the previously stated sentence, uniformed personnel are required to make a scheduled appointment to be seen by a health care provider. When having to be seen by a provider, you must arrive promptly at 0730-0900. After those hours the patients who were not seen are sent away or told to come back at a later date. A majority of Marines are given simple advice as to drink water and walk it off. That is generally what you would hear upon being seen by a health care provider. It is very rare for the provider to dig deep and try to resolve the problem the first time. That is never the case.

Many patients have persistent problems or issues that have undoubtedly brought them back several times in the past and will in the future. But they are told the same advice numerous times. Secondly, we are given unprofessional, humiliating, and discouraging names. We are often and publicly referred to with demeaning expletives or "malingerers" which is to me personally very offensive and uncalled for. Marines that are called these names are sincerely concerned with issues that they may have and many that have conditions that are so negligently overlooked by their health care provider. These issues that may be past or present.

Under the Rights and Responsibilities of the patient you may request a referral. There may also be a request for proper pain management. Although we are told that we have the right to proper pain management it is more than likely to not be a granted request without numerous visits to the health care provider. Some never get results after several attempts.

I am a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps and I am stationed at Marine Corps. Base Camp Lejuene. I have had an extensive medical history while serving my enlistment. Many of these conditions have not been dealt with, with proper care. During the first two years of my time served I have had a serious issue of throwing up blood for no reason whatsoever. Upon completion of every meal I would vomit and blood could be seen. For this problem to be resolved, it took the Navy/Marine Corps. Almost two years to complete. Although I have had procedures that involved cameras going down my throat into my stomach I was still never told the diagnosis. My current condition that concerns me is a problem that I have had for a couple months. I recently injured my shoulder and I thought that I had dislocated my shoulder. That evening I went to the emergency room and X-rays were taken and not properly reviewed. During a follow up appointment with my Regimental Aid Station I requested a referral to a professional doctor or orthopedic specialist that specializes in that particular field of study and the request was not granted.

I exhausted all options and took myself to a doctor on August 10, 2009 and was informed that my problem had very little to do with my shoulder, and that the problem was more to deal with my collar bone being separated from my shoulder region. On numerous occasions that have been misdiagnosed by Naval personnel at the Naval Hospital at Marine Corps. Base Camp Lejuene on base as well as the Regimental Aid Station. I personally have no faith or trust in any establishment that provides health care for uniformed personnel on Marine Corps. Base Camp Lejuene.

In short if I may; uniformed personnel are very reluctant to seek medical attention anywhere on Marine Corps. Base Camp Lejuene for previously stated reasons. I hope to have a positive feedback and evaluation of these issues.

In closing Sir, I appreciate once again you taking time out of your busy schedule to review and hear some of the Marines' and Sailors' genuine concerns regarding our healthcare. In fear of negative repercussions I wish to remain anonymous. Sir, Thank You for your time!

Anonymous

Blair County Resident