I am grateful for my veterans medical care at the Spokane Veterans Affairs hospital. I have two titanium hips and the surgery was performed by an orthopedic surgeon at the Seattle VA hospital. My wait time for the last new hip was going to be approximately 14 months; however, the scheduling nurse told me to call in at the beginning of each month and see if there had been any cancellations. I did so and the very first month my surgery was changed from March 2014 to June 2013.

My point is that one must be proactive. Anyone who has been in the service to this country is familiar with “hurry up and wait.” I think veterans have an attitude of gratitude and acceptance of things as they are, not necessarily as we would want them to be.

My primary care doctor schedules me for two physicals each year. I feel he and his staff have my best interest and health as a priority. Given the uncertainty and high costs of Obamacare, I am extremely grateful for my veterans health care and believe that most veterans feel the same way I do.

Howard Roach

Spokane

(Editor’s note: This is a reprint of a letter that ran June 5. Part of a sentence was cut off.)