To be clear, my dad gets some amazing care at the VA clinic in Austin (I go with him to every one of his appointments as he is experiencing memory issues and doesn't remember everything that is said, what treatment plans he's on, or what questions he needs to/should be asking) and since he is pretty congenial the nurses at the hospital in Temple warm up to him pretty quick. But they also have to deal with a bunch of goose-stepping, reich wing rednecks. I've observed it personally. I can understand their initial dour approach.

I love his primary care physician, for example. She's not brusque but she tells you the unvarnished truth. A couple months back, she looked at both my dad and myself and said "Mr. Senior Burrito, I would strongly advise you to get a will in place, a medical power of attorney completed with your son as your agent of record as he knows everything about your healthcare as far as I can tell, and that you begin to accept your mortality. I will setup a consultation with our outreach program downstairs that will help you accomplish all of those things at no cost. To be frank with both you and your son, you're at the end of life stage." She has done her best for years to keep my dad upright. There's just nothing left to do for him. But she has always been exceptionally kind and compassionate.