“Since its official inception in 1930, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs or Veterans Administration (VA) has struggled to keep up with servicing America’s Veterans. World War II, Vietnam, and Korea created their own challenges to the organization’s ability to provide services. However, the Global War on Terror has caused almost overwhelming surges in the number of Veterans requiring health assistance…”
“In the FY 2019 Budget, President Trump proposes a total of $198.6 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This request, an increase of $12.1 billion over 2018, is designed to ensure the Nation’s Veterans receive high-quality health care and timely access to benefits and services. The 2020 AA request includes $79.1 billion in discretionary funding for Medical Care including collections and $121.3 billion in mandatory funding for Veterans benefits programs.”
“Veterans Administration reports there are 18.8 million veterans currently living in the United States, and that they serve 9 million of them each year. At the time of this writing, it was not possible to determine how many Veterans were serviced at their 1,065 outpatient sites and 170 VA Medical Centers. Presumably, VA services the remaining 9.8 million Vets through contracted private sector resources. No information could be found amplifying this area, as well. If these numbers are correct, the US is spending $196.B to service vets at a cost between $10, 425 and $21,777 per Veteran per Year…”
“How should the Government fund this insurance program? Shutter all VA hospitals and clinics. In plain words, the US Government is running a healthcare program that competes with world-class hospitals…” Read the full post here.
Source: Needed: A New Way Ahead for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in the New Millennium – By Rear Admiral Ken Carodine, USN(Ret.), April 15, 2018.
