VETERAN HEALTHCARE: PRIVATIZATION PUSH BY TRUMP AND HEGSETH
Having the choice of where you receive healthcare is a debated topic that continues to provide plenty of complex scenarios but often very expensive solutions. There are around 9 million people who are a part of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and while access to private healthcare has increased in recent years, there’s still a lot more to be done. Donald Trump and plenty of Republicans are looking to provide more privatized healthcare options for Veterans during his second term; however, opponents of this idea are worried about the increase in cost it will bring.
VA Policy on Veterans Using Private Doctors
Thanks to the VA MISSION Act of 2018, there are more options for Veterans looking to seek care outside of the VHA.
The bill was signed into law under President Donald Trump’s first administration and his second term looks to expand on the idea.
As it stands, the VA MISSION Act is only for certain Veterans who qualify because of barriers to care surrounding distance or the time to see a medical professional.
Furthermore, Veterans were also granted the ability to visit urgent cares outside of the VA without getting approved and have their expenses covered. Although, a copay may still exist.
However, the idea of private healthcare for Veterans hasn’t gone anywhere and the conversation is very much still an important, hot topic. Now, Republicans want to privatize healthcare even more for Vets.
Trump Administration's Push for VA Healthcare Privatization
Those making up Trump’s cabinet heads and the President-elect himself want more privatized healthcare options for Veterans.
Specifically, Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee, is a notable supporter of the idea and has been maintaining this stance for years.
Furthermore, Doug Collins, the man Trump has nominated to be the VA Secretary, is also supporting more privatization for Veteran healthcare.
Smaller government is a core component of the Republican Party’s stances and considering some of the issues involving bureaucracy surrounding the VA, many want to provide Veterans with other options.
This includes long wait times for patients and even Veterans subjected to putting off their healthcare while carrying an added risk of delay.
Looking into privatized healthcare has been of interest to The Pentagon before, seeking solutions after negative reports involving staffing and access for Veterans.
More workers are working in the private sector, creating another issue in an already complex subject.
However, there is still pushback from Veteran groups and experts, as even seen in Trump’s first term, when Hegseth had a say in VA policies but was met with opposition.
Impact of Private Doctors on VA Healthcare Quality
Some people believe privatized healthcare will help Veterans. Some groups believe Veterans should simply have the option, and instead of going fully privatized, the money should follow the Veteran, wherever they choose to receive care.
Others still believe that privatized healthcare isn’t the benefit Veterans were promised nor are they a solution for the present or future.
For example, if Hegseth gets his previously supported way and the VA is limited to service-related injuries, non-combat-related health needs among Veterans would not qualify.
Dr. David Shulkin, a former VA Secretary believes that privatizing Veteran care is “the worst-case scenario.”
In his memoir, Shulkin mentioned the topic and Hegseth’s vision saying, “Your version of choice would cost billions more per year, bankrupting the system. How can we responsibly pursue this? Unfortunately, he didn’t want to engage at the level of budget and other aspects of day-to-day reality. He seemed to prefer his sound bites on television.”
The large increase in cost and concern for barriers to access are just part of the concerns expressed by experts. There’s also the fear that funding would move from specialized care offered by the VA as a result of privatization.
Furthermore, the care received by Veterans could get worse as private companies look to increase profits. This includes a lack of care geared directly towards military-related health issues.
Even though electronic health records have improved integrated care and communicate better between the VA and private providers, many experts still point to the fact that VA-specific services are not replaceable.
Whether or not Hegseth gets his way remains to be seen but many key Republicans are on board with privatizing healthcare for Vets. While you may be able to see more private doctors in the future, the questions still remain of how long and at what cost.
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BY BUDDY BLOUIN
Buddy Blouin is a Contributing Writer at VeteranLife.com
Buddy Blouin is a Contributing Writer at VeteranLife.com
