US veterans haven’t signed up for privatized health care

For years, the push to privatize health care for veterans has been a long-standing and persistent mission of some politicians. In their most recent attempt, bills like the recently introduced Veterans Health Act of 2023 are being touted as a measure to increase veteran choice and improve access.

However, these proposals mask a disturbing reality: They actually support the expansion of private, for-profit health care, a more expensive approach that diminishes access to specialized care for our nation’s heroes.

As chair of the National VA Council of the American Federation of Government Employees, representing more than 304,000 VA workers nationwide, a third of whom are veterans themselves, I pledge to oppose any initiative which jeopardizes the integrity and effectiveness of care for veterans.

We cannot let politicians distract us from the critical goal of ensuring our veterans have easy access to top-notch health care services nationwide. Our veterans deserve more than just words from lawmakers who are supposed to support them; they deserve a genuine commitment to their well-being, reflecting our deep gratitude and dedication to honoring their service and sacrifices.

Soaring costs and a significant decline in accessibility, particularly for veterans in rural areas, are among the vast dangers of private care. The existing private, for-profit community care program has already led to fragmentation of care, causing difficulties in obtaining medical records from private providers and leading to redundant testing, resulting in wasted money and of resources. Privatization erodes the VA’s ability to maintain control over the quality of care veterans receive because community care providers do not have the specialized expertise that VA providers have to meet the unique needs of our veterans fighters.

Numerous studies have consistently highlighted the superiority of VA care for veterans compared to private facilities. Not only do veterans express a clear preference for the VA, with nearly 90 percent trusting the care they receive, but VA facilities have also demonstrated a marked increase in veteran survival rates. Members of Congress should champion legislation to expand access to the care veterans already prefer, not diminish it in the name of profit.

The current push for privatization also raises legitimate concerns about the strain it could place on VA medical facilities, particularly those located in rural areas. This could result in longer wait times and longer trips for veterans to access care. Privatization also carries a significant risk of decreased utilization of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, which could result in higher costs per Veteran and, ultimately, the closure and consolidation of Veterans Affairs medical facilities.

The VA is quickly approaching a critical juncture where nearly half of the care available to veterans is outsourced to private entities, and these bills are poised to intensify that trend. VA Secretary Denis McDonough expressed to Congress his pressing concern about the burgeoning and financially unsustainable expansion of the private “community care” program. Even he believes that passing laws like the Veterans Health Act will propel us further down this precarious path.

Instead of privatizing, we must modernize and expand the VA so that it can reach its full potential as a primary health care system designed exclusively for veterans. We should improve the quality and accessibility of care while ensuring that veterans receive specialized services that meet their individual needs. Through these changes, we can show our appreciation for our veterans by providing them with a premier healthcare system that reflects our gratitude for their service.

On behalf of my organization and the veterans we represent, I call on Congress to listen to veterans and VA workers and reconsider its support for legislation like the Veterans Health Act. A privatized VA driven by profit risks prioritizing financial gains over the well-being of the brave Americans who have served our nation.

We must protect the integrity of care for veterans. Our veterans deserve nothing less than the exceptional support they have earned through their service and sacrifice.

Alma L. Lee is president of the National Veterans Council of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 304,000 Department of Veterans Affairs employees.