The VA actually operates in competition with other health care providers since the rules were changed and only those with service related injuries and those without other insurance can be treated without being charged for their services.
So you can’t compare the VA to Canada’s or Britain’s socialized medicine.
Only Kristoff could come up with such nonsense. Medicare, the VA, and IHS (Indian Health Services) are ALL bankrupt ( out of money kaput zero nada). These services suffer from rationing, clinic like efficiencies, and care that is not the best it could be. Is that to say that the people ( docs and nurses and others) aren’t doing their best? NO WAY. On a daily basis these folks TRY to get the bureaucracy to allow them to practise top notch medicine. Routinely they are denied that ability ( lack of equipment, lack of office time, lack of office space, and on and on).
Whatever the short comings of private insurance there is at least the opportunity to go else where when your care is not up to snuff. The VA this year particularly is trying to shove vets out of the VA services and into the private health care world. They have closed clinics, reduced staff, and closed nursing homes. This trend is continuing in the current budget and the forecasts for the next 5 years.
Face the government does a lousy job of health care
“Fifty-six to 60 percent of people in government-run Medicare rate it a 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale. In contrast, only 40 percent of those enrolled in private insurance rank their plans that high. “
Medicare costs the federal govt. 650 billion a year and is due to go bankrupt in 7 years. Private insurance is not going bankrupt, costs the taxpayer nothing and pays taxes on any profit.
And they have managed to go bankrupt while only paying 60-70% of their bills - who pays the difference? You do, in the form of higher hospital/doctor bills.