Navy Veteran Loses Noses Waiting For Treatment: Kylie Molina, 5th period

Edward Laird, a 76-year old Navy Veteran, found a spot on his nose one day and sought help at the Phoenix VA hospital. After multiple visits to the clinic, Laird finally received a biopsy, but it was already too late. A physician at the Phoenix Va confirmed that he sent Laird to the VA's dermatology clinic repeatedly to get a biopsy on his nose, but the biopsy was repeatedly delayed. In the end, Laird was forced to wait an excruciating two and a half years before getting his tests done. By time the biopsy had taken place, the spot on his nose had turned into cancer and had spread. Laird says that 70% of his nose had to be removed. However, if the procedure would have taken place when asked, all of this could have been prevented. Doctors had to remove some of the skin from Laird forehead in order to create a new nose for him.

Despite all of the troubles Laird waited through, the hospital still felt the need to send him a letter regarding the issue. They wrote that it was not their fault that the biopsy took so long, because they were not aware that there was potential cancer. 

I feel that since Laird was ensured to have health insurance (because he served in the Navy from 1955-1959), he should have had his guaranteed treatment on time. Investigators have confirmed that schedulers as the Phoenix VA manipulated appointment data in order to hide how long patients were waiting for care. 

Even though Laird received his treatment and is now better, this is a case that should be more looked upon, because it is not fair that veterans are having to lose body parts due to doctors not making time for their patients. Even Barack Obama has taken an interest in this catastrophe. Obama pledged last week at the American Legion conference in North Carolina to "get to the bottom of these problems", calling them, "outrageous and inexcusable."




http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/05/us/phoenix-va-delays-victim/index.html?hpt=us_c2


(((((awkward, I know I'm posting from Elizabeth's account, but I couldn't figure out how to work it on mine.)))))