The VA was put in place before we had (pretty much) universal health care.
Why does it exist now?
Are veterans so different from other citizens that they need their own healthcare system?
Not trying to be provocative, just curious.
———Are veterans so different ——
Yes, many are. Veterans have problems that are war related and the VA has specialized expertise.
My neighbor, an ordinary cotton picker, had no such problems and could have received treatment here rather than drive 30 miles. He could have used vouchers or a VA card to receive care locally