Marine who had issues getting prescription hopes to be voice for change at the VA

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — From 2005 to 2013, Horace Head served in the Marine Corps. In that time, he was deployed four times.

He said he was always around helicopters, and because he was inhaling fumes, doctors diagnosed him with asthma.

"In 2013, I was diagnosed with a service-connected issue with breathing, where my lung capacity was at 43 percent," said Head.

He said he was prescribed Symbicort, an inhaler to help with his breathing.

He said he went online and learned his prescription had expired, so he called to see if he could get it renewed.

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"When I contacted the VA at Jefferson to renew the prescription, they told me there had never been a prescription written," said Head.

He said he's called the VA multiple times to try and straighten out the issue, but said they never call back.

Action News Jax contact the VA to try and get answers for Head.

The VA sent us this statement: "Staff at the Jacksonville VA outpatient clinic will contact the patient today to resolve his prescription needs."

In November, we told you the inspector general of the VA said nearly 300,000 people may have died while waiting for care in the U.S.

Head said whether his issue gets resolved Monday or not, he's hoping to be a voice to push for change at the VA.

"If I'm having issues, that means everyone else that is a veteran may have the same issues," said Head.

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