In the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, a number of American industries were decimated. There were likely many reasons for this, but a common thread was that the Japanese companies that were winning the trade war employed the concept of “Just in Time.” The American companies that were the victims did not employ this concept.
This brings us to DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and especially the last word, efficiency. It is my understanding that the front line of DOGE is a group of very smart young people, very well educated at the finest universities. I would assume that the concept of Just in Time is something they all covered at some point in their studies. This can’t be foreign to them.
I receive my healthcare through the VA. I obtain refill prescriptions simply by picking up my phone, punching in a few numbers all addressed mechanically without human involvement, receive a computer voice acknowledging the order, and receive the prescription a very few days later. This has been the routine for nearly 25 years.
On April 1, I ordered several prescriptions following this routine. At the end of each, I heard a computer voice or a recorded human voice say, “Please allow at least 15 days for the refill of this prescription.” This was new, I had never heard this message before.
Please explain to me how stacking up prescription refill orders for 15 days improves the efficiency of the VA. I can remember to order refills earlier, this is not a problem for me. But what if this 15-day stack-up results in errors, as a backlog like this has to be an issue for the pharmacists filling the order. I suggest that this is taking the VA, at least to the extent of prescription service, from the 21st century to the 19th century.
Let’s look at what I believe is an efficient organization, Amazon. I ordered batteries for my glucose testing device yesterday; the order cost $5, including tax (no delivery charge). I received a notice of shipment with two hours, and delivery will be at my front door today before 3 pm. That is what I expect from DOGE’s improvements – not delays of over 15 days.
So much for “Department of Government Efficiency.”
James W. Riead
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin