Be leery of privatizing VA care
Re: “VA turning to more private care,” front page, Sunday:
There is reason for concern about privatization of veterans health care due to the support from the Concerned Veterans for America advocacy group. This group led by the Koch brothers hides behind the label of nonprofit trust rather than a not-forprofit corporation, thereby allowing nondisclosure of public reporting requirements. As the article clearly states, one of its senior advisers, Darin Selnick, was instrumental in drafting the language used for the VA MISSION Act, which won bipartisan support last year.
As a disabled veteran, I agree that the VA system needs improvement in many areas, but we have to be diligent and wary of any change, especially if support for it comes from a nefarious lobbyist group.
Privatization of Veterans Affairs health care will increase costs to the American taxpayer, no doubt about it.
I’ll give you an example of how this works to the benefit of the private sector.
Boeing, one of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, was awarded the multimillion-dollar C-17 aircraft maintenance contract instead of it going to the public sector, namely a maintenance depot run by the Department of Defense. The work was largely performed here at the former San Antonio Air Logistics Center, better known as Kelly AFB. The Department of Justice filed a $100 million lawsuit against the company for mischarging and overcharging the American taxpayer. In 2014, it was settled for $23 million, allowing Boeing to deny any liability. A mere slap on the hand.
That is just one example of how large corporations take advantage of the federal government. Make no mistake, the Koch brothers are interested in lobbying for this change because they and their donors tend to benefit from it.
Granted, the VA has problems, but it would benefit veterans if proposed changes were to the system itself, not to switch care to the private sector. The closure of VA hospitals and health care facilities as a consequence of legislation doesn’t benefit veterans.
From past experience, I can demonstrate the excellent care I have received at Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital. The staff is compassionate and offer some of the best services and care, bar none.
From my observations, proper change is in the form of more doctors, better pay for employees to decrease the high turnover rate, better employee training, and a patient advocacy department (call center) that could handle all incoming calls and direct the veteran to the proper department.