There have been civilian hospitals, doctors and dentists who've had similar problems. One of the early and well publicized AIDS victims was a young lady who got the virus from a dentist (Florida IIRC)? And hospitals have had the odd nurse who decides that killing off the suffering is his or her duty, and medication mistakes happen in civilian hospitals.
None have a perfect record.
>>>There have been civilian hospitals, doctors and dentists who’ve had similar problems.<<<
Agreed - however, civilians could be held responsible in court.
Peacetime military medical services can leave a lot to be desired sometimes. I remember one base where I was stationed, there was a flap over 4 Doctors who were not normally required or called on for spinal taps - to maintain their rating/proficiency, they needed 6 each - you guessed it - next 24 people they saw suddenly needed spinal taps.
BUT, getting back on topic - Christine’s suggestion is for routine exams and treatments. That certainly makes a lot of sense. I know several who have to travel a couple of hours for routine follow-ups such as checking/removing stitches that entail a whole day - 2-2 1/2 hours each way and loooong waits when there. I know of one case where a relative went for a routine exam and upon getting there and spending two hours waiting, was finally told that his Doctor was on leave, it was rescheduled and when he went back, again Doctor wasn’t there - he had retired. Took two months for him to be reassigned to another Doctor. The voucher system would certainly have made this type of situation much more efficient and more readily available locally where we have 4 hospitals within 35 miles, and many hundred doctors, but the VA is all the way up in Wilmington, and appointments are months ahead.
Disclaimer - I have based this on my knowledge of others problems with it - while I am qualified for their services, based on my service in the very early ‘60’s, I have never had any need to turn to them for assistance as I have had other insurance coverages for medical, pharmaceutical and dental.
I can see considerable savings in the suggested system as well as much more timely care of high quality.