Privatizing would be better for everybody but VA career employees.
And therein lies the rub.
Privatizing the VA would be disastrous for veterans like me who rely on the specialized services that only the VA can provide.
As a paraplegic, I need the specialty care the VA offers. The spinal cord clinic, prosthetics, neurology and several other specialists.
And there are veterans who rely on care for PTSD, TBI and a score of other veteran specific issues.
Throw us out into the civilian hospitals and many more will die.
“Privatizing would be better for everybody but VA career employees.”
I disagree with your “for everybody” part. For the typical vet with non-combat related issues, yes. Privatization could be best for both the vet and the taxpayer.
For those with combat related problems, NO!. I went to treatment facilities several times over 4 decades treated for things I did not have, that the VA recently diagnosed as combat zone related issue, now I am receiving proper care and very pleased with it.
With regard to the various diseases, agent orange being one example, those with missing limbs, combat stress issues and a few others that can be had only by being a war, only a fully dedicated outfit designed to serve just those folks is what’s needed.