The Incompetence of the Government-Run, Government-Controlled Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospitals

It always befuddles me when the collectivistic limousine Left think that the Veterans Affairs hospitals are "privately run" and are a part of the "private sector." Yet this latest AP report, in which the hospital's five HIV patients and 33 hepatitis patients have contracted these diseases from unsanitary medical equipment, showcases the incompetence and idiocy of the government-run, government-controlled VA hospitals.

Here's an excerpt of the piece:

MIAMI (AP) — A fifth patient has tested positive for HIV, and seven more tested positive for hepatitis after being exposed to contaminated medical equipment at three Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, the agency said Friday.

That brings the total who have tested positive for hepatitis to 33.

They are among thousands tested because they were treated with endoscopic equipment that wasn't properly sterilized between patients and exposed them to the body fluids of others. The equipment is often used in colonoscopies and ear, nose and throat procedures.

Nearly 11,000 former sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines could have been exposed at the hospitals in Miami, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Augusta, Ga. The agency said 6,687 patients have been notified of their test results so far.

VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts said the new HIV case was found in the Miami hospital. The agency said in a news release the positive tests were "not necessarily linked to any endoscopy issues."

"It's very disturbing that anybody would contract it, of course. I am pleased that the VA has agreed to treat all the veterans regardless of where they may have contracted it," said Alexander Kovac, a veterans' advocate who was stationed in Korea in the 1960s.

The "VA has agreed to treat all the veterans regardless of where they may have contracted [HIV]"? Doesn't it matter where they "may have contracted" it? This attitude is proof that the government does not seem to care where and how these patients contracted the HIV virus. The mindset, of course, is deafening and pathetic to the Nth degree.

While it is unclear as to how these patients contracted these diseases, it is obviously confirmed that they were treated at these seedy facilities where unsterilized equipment has been commonly used.

Here's another disturbing revelation from the article:

The VA has said the problems with the endoscopic equipment had gone on for years, but were discovered in December when officials learned the Murfreesboro facility wasn't following cleaning procedures the manufacturer recommended. It issued an internal alert for hospitals to check procedures, and the problem at Augusta was discovered in January.

These issues were noticed in December in one facility when it wasn't following its sanitary procedures? Another one hadn't bothered to notice the problems until January? Did these "government medical centers" lack flashlights? Did they fail to pay the electric bills and notice that the quality of care in the facilities was third-rate? Or did the typical VA bureaucracy stand in the way of progress at these centers?

Imagine the private sector handling these hospitals. Could you see these abuses occuring at these government-run facilities? If they were to occur, rest assured that restitution would be in effect, as the victimizers would be targeted for accountability. That is not the case with the VA. After all, who will be held liable for the VA screw-ups? Look at the alleged accountability of prison guards and torturers, especially considering the state has its "extraordinary rendition" policy in effect. Who will hold these vile, diabolical government thugs responsible for how they treat their victims in time of war?

As for the VA, who will pay for these disgusting practices if lawsuits are filed? Will the victims be remunerated for their suffering? The answers to the last two questions are no one and no.

At least the VA victims can rest comfortably, knowing that their infections will be "treated."

[Cross-posted at Peace, Freedom, and Prosperity and The Freeman Chronicles.]