Hi Jim,

 I have a question for you. I know you're a busy man, but I want to ask; what is going on with the telephones at these VAMC's and CBOC's? Why is it that nobody answers their phones there anymore? I can't get primary care, or any of the specialty clinics now. The patient advocate won't answer either. Nobody receives messages there anymore either. Are they being instructed not to answer their phones now?

Reply:

 I don't know of anything new about this. VA telephones have never been answered that I'm aware of.

 If an employee answers a phone, they may have to talk with a veteran. Talking to veterans to resolve problems is one of the lowest priorities for most VA employees. They avoid it like it was a plague.

 Most employees ignore their phone until their voice mailbox is too full to accept messages.

 Bingo, their problem is solved.