Getting Good Care
The military health care system can be complex and confusing, but MOAA helps you navigate the health care waters and advocates on your behalf.
By Col. Warren S. Lacy, USA-Ret.

Few, if any, issues are more important than good health—and good health care. Yet, navigating the health care system can lead to frustration and, at times, outright fear. How do you find good health care providers and the right medications at an affordable price? Apparently, many Americans haven’t had much success answering this question.
 
The Gallup Organization’s January 2005 Mood of the Nation poll asked respondents to rate their level of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with 21 aspects of life in the United States. According to the poll, as reported by Rick Blizzard, DBA, health and health care editor for the Gallup Poll News Service, “Health care tops the list when it comes to dissatisfaction. Nearly three-fourths (73 percent) of Americans are dissatisfied with ‘the availability of affordable health care.’ ”

Of course, most of our readers are in the military health care system. But that system, too, is fraught with complexities and confusion. It also has its share of dissatisfaction, as reflected in the calls and letters we receive from members. Fortunately, one of MOAA’s strengths is its ability to help members navigate this system.

In addition to helping members understand the existing military health care system, MOAA works proactively to keep tabs on how the system is working and to advocate change when appropriate. That mission falls to the association’s Government Relations Department, under the leadership of the board of directors.

And that leads us to this month’s cover story: “Health Care Heroes,” page 66, introduces you to real-world military health care providers. The genesis of the story was a fact-finding trip by the health care committee of MOAA’s board of directors. We took this opportunity to place a reporter with the team to record her observations.
 
As you’ll read in our story, the military health care system is facing challenges. Operations tempo is up; staffing levels are down. But, when it comes to what really counts—dedicated military professionals serving their patients—we couldn’t ask for better.

“There’s nothing more satisfying on a daily basis than to see a patient in whom you’ve made a difference in their quality of life,” says Maj. Richard Krasuski, USAF, a researcher and cardiologist at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, Texas.

It’s our pleasure to introduce you to Krasuski and other heroes on the homefront. And, as always, if you need help navigating military health care waters, MOAA stands by to lend a hand.