That is the position of the VSOs.
Primary, routine care in the private sector.
Specialty care at the VA.
There are several things the only the VA does well. I will cite a program I’m quite familiar with: Seeking Safety. It’s a program for people with PTSD and substance problems. And the group is all similarly affected and able to see it’s not just them.
Prosthetics is another. As is TBI long term rehab.
None of those specialties would disappear under privatization.
And yes, I can understand the fear re: Medicaid level services—but the feds should not be in the hospital business and more good services can be funded under different models.