Ocasio-Cortez: VA healthcare system ‘ain’t broke’ so ‘don’t fix it’

Make sure to let us know what you think... we now have comments turned ON below the article!

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on months-long waiting lists for basic appointments, rationed care, uncaring and un-fireable staff, run-down and outdated facilities, among many other issues?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

  1. Hi, I do think this is an excellent website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return yet again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  2. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this topic here on your web site.

  3. After exploring a few of the blog articles on your blog, I honestly like your way of writing a blog. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website as well and tell me what you think.

  4. Hi! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!|

  5. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS problems? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  6. Wonderful article! That is the kind of info that are meant to be shared across the net. Disgrace on Google for now not positioning this submit higher! Come on over and discuss with my site . Thanks =)|

  7. Hi, I think your website could possibly be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, excellent website!

  8. Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

  9. You have made some really good points there. I looked on the internet to find out more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.

  10. This is the perfect blog for anybody who wishes to find out about this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a subject that has been discussed for ages. Great stuff, just wonderful!

  11. I was excited to discover this page. I wanted to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every bit of it and I have you saved to fav to check out new stuff in your blog.

  12. Admiring the time and effort you put into your website and in depth information you present. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material. Great read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.|

  13. I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal website now 😉

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Popular