A growing number of Democrats have signaled their support for a single-payer, government-run healthcare system for all Americans, commonly referred to as Medicare for All.
Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez among those calling for all Americans to be under the aegis of one overarching healthcare system, and she wants to model such a nationwide program after the Department of Veterans Affairs she claims already offers world-class service.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”
Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks about the VA health care system came during a recent town hall event with voters in her home district. When it comes to the current VA system, Ocasio-Cortez said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
She lamented the push for privatization of the VA system and worried about the impact it would have on a system that, in her view, already provides “the highest quality care” to our nation’s veterans.
“Cadillac, first-class health care”
“Here’s the thing, they are trying to fix it. But who are they are trying to fix it for, is the question we gotta ask,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “They are trying to fix the VA for pharmaceutical companies, they are trying to fix the VA for insurance corporations, and, ultimately, they are trying to fix the VA for a for-profit healthcare industry that does not put people or veterans first,” she continued.
“So we have a responsibility to protect it, because if there is any community that deserves Cadillac, first-class health care in the United States of America, it is our military service veterans,” she added.
Suggesting that the VA system would serve as a useful framework for the nation as a whole if Medicare for All should ever become the law of the land, Ocasio-Cortez declared, “If you ask me, I would like VA for all.”
One size does not fit all
While all of that sounds nice, and the congresswoman’s stated concern for the health of our nation’s veterans is appreciated, she is woefully wrong about the quality of care veterans have been receiving from the VA.
Who can forget the Obama-era scandals that plagued the VA for years — veterans dying while languishing on months-long waiting lists for basic appointments, rationed care, uncaring and un-fireable staff, run-down and outdated facilities, among many other issues?
Our nation’s veterans do indeed deserve top-flight health care in return for their service to the country, but they haven’t been receiving that from the single-payer, government-run system that is in place, hence efforts by some to open it up and provide more choices to veterans including private sector options.
Hiring more staff is not going to significantly improve the VA, neither will forcing all veterans to receive care solely from the VA system. Furthermore, expanding the VA to cover the entirety of the nation — or even just using it as a model for a similar nationwide program — most certainly isn’t the answer.
Privatization, on the other hand, which allows veterans a greater range of choices and incentivizes providers to deliver top-quality care is the best way to upgrade and reinforce the system intended to serve the men and women who have sacrificed in uniform on behalf of a grateful nation.
1,075 Responses
Aw, this was a very nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to create a good article I put things off a whole lot and never seem to get anything done.
Very good information. Lucky me I recently found your blog by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve bookmarked it for later!
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one today.|
Your style is unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this page.
Hello there! I could have sworn I챠ve visited this site before but after looking at a few of the articles I realized it챠s new to me. Anyhow, I챠m definitely happy I stumbled upon it and I챠ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this blog. I am hoping to see the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own website now ;)|
Great, thanks for sharing this article.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I came across this during my search for something relating to this.
I blog quite often and I seriously appreciate your content. This article has truly peaked my interest. I will take a note of your website and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.
of course like your web-site but you need to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to tell the reality nevertheless I will surely come again again.|
Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this short article together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
What i don’t realize is in fact how you are no longer actually much more smartly-liked than you may be now. You are so intelligent. You understand therefore significantly in relation to this matter, made me for my part imagine it from so many numerous angles. Its like men and women are not fascinated unless it’s one thing to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. At all times care for it up!|
Excellent article! We will be linking to this great content on our website. Keep up the great writing.
Really informative article. Really Great.
This excellent website truly has all the information and facts I needed about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this post and the rest of the website is also very good.
Your manner of addressin this topic is both remarkable and inspiring.
When I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a means you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks!|
Appreciating the time and effort you put into your blog and in depth information you offer. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material. Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.|
A lot of blog writers nowadays but just a few have blog posts worth spending time on browsing.
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I believe that you need to write more about this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but usually folks don’t talk about such topics. To the next! Many thanks.
I love reading an article that can make men and women think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment.
Im grateful for the article post.Much thanks again.
Hey, thanks for the article post. Will read on…
Very few authors with proper knowledge of the topics they write about.