The National Association of VA Physicians and Dentists (NAVAPD) recognizes the serious concerns raised in the recently published report, The VA Privatization Playbook: Two Decades of Denial, by Russell Lemle and Suzanne Gordon.
The report documents the growing reliance on private-sector healthcare and raises important questions about the long-term impact on VA staffing, funding, and the delivery of specialized care to our nation's veterans.
NAVAPD believes that a strong, fully staffed, and adequately funded VA healthcare system is essential to providing veterans with the high-quality, coordinated care they have earned. Community care can play an important role in expanding access when VA services are unavailable or cannot be provided in a timely manner. However, it should complement—not replace—the VA's integrated healthcare system.
Of particular concern is the potential impact of continued staffing shortages, challenges in recruiting and retaining physicians and dentists, and the diversion of resources away from direct patient care. These issues directly affect the quality, continuity, and accessibility of healthcare for veterans.
NAVAPD encourages VA leadership and Congress to carefully examine the report's findings, prioritize investments in the VA clinical workforce, and ensure that decisions about community care are guided by patient outcomes, clinical needs, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.
Our priority remains clear: protecting the physician-patient relationship, supporting the healthcare professionals who serve our veterans, and ensuring that the VA remains capable of delivering exceptional care for generations to come.
Read the full report: The VA Privatization Playbook: Two Decades of Denial
