Concerns Rise Over VA Staffing and privatization Efforts
A growing number of VA doctors are voicing concerns that staffing shortages and a push towards increased privatization are jeopardizing the quality of care for veterans. An open letter addressed to VA Secretary Doug Collins warns that current policies coudl “undermine VAS health care system, overwhelm VA’s budget and negatively affect the lives of all veterans.”
The VA disputes these claims, asserting it is improving veteran care, pointing to increased funding for private healthcare options as a key component of that improvement. However, VA physicians argue this reliance on outside providers is exacerbating the problem.
The concerns stem from a period of uncertainty within the VA, following initiatives under the Trump management to reduce VA positions and encourage experienced staff to take early retirement. Dean Winslow, a flight surgeon who served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and currently consults for the VA, believes the VA system offers both cost-effective and effective care. He emphasizes that VA physicians are frequently enough drawn to the work by a dedication to the veteran community, despite typically earning less than their private sector counterparts.
“Very few civilian providers really understand veterans and our experience, but the physicians that work at the VA ofen get paid a lot less than people woudl in the private sector. Thay choose to work at the VA as they love the mission,” Winslow stated.
VA spokesman Pete Kasperowicz countered that the VA is performing better now than under the previous administration, citing a reduction in the claims backlog and an increase in appointments offered outside of regular business hours. He also highlighted the department’s expanded use of non-VA providers, funded by the VA.
However, critics argue that utilizing private healthcare isn’t as cost-effective as it appears. Lars Osterberg, a former VA physician of over 20 years, points to potential financial incentives for private vendors to inflate prices without necessarily providing superior care.
“Diverting resources to these private vendors are not always that effective. There’s vendor incentives, obviously, to jack up prices and charge a lot and not necessarily get the best quality of care for our veterans,” Osterberg explained.
osterberg and other signatories of the letter fear that the shift towards privatization is draining resources from the VA system, leading to staff cuts and inadequate support for remaining clinicians. This, in turn, could force the VA to outsource even more care at a higher cost, potentially creating a detrimental cycle that threatens the long-term viability of the VA healthcare system. The letter emphasizes the need to halt staff reductions to maintain quality of care and prevent further clinician departures.
