Here's how innovation can make or break VA health care

[corbe]

Here's how innovation can make or break VA health care

By Sherman Gillums Jr., opinion contributor — 05/31/18 05:30 PM EDT

The passage of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Mission Act of 2018 by both the U.S. House and Senate marks a much-needed shift in the national discourse on health care for veterans.

Ever since the scandal involving secret waitlists broke at the Phoenix, Ariz. VA medical center in 2014 — which led to the passage of the first Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 — the debate on how to improve the delivery of health care to veterans has been colored by partisanship and position entrenchment that would not lead to any legislative wins.

But after garnering the support of 38 military and veteran service organizations, the VA mission bill now awaits President Trump’s signature. The president has been eagerly awaiting this, as he campaigned on a promise to reform the VA.

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http://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/390140-heres-how-innovation-can-make-or-break-va-health-care

[montanajoe]

The article makes some valid points to someone who has been in the VA system most of his life..

I strongly oppose privatization of VAHC because the average Veteran getting care is much older and sicker than the average American getting care under private insurance or medicare.
 
Additionally, there is a whole new wave of middle east veterans who have healthcare needs that the civilian system cannot fill. It has been my belief for years that many of the politicians on the right who never would have served and who look down on those who are/did the same way as the left does but they hide their contempt as being a "conservative"....