Veterans administratiOn system Or contract
Some people advocate retaining the healthcare system administered and operated by the US
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which is made up of 172 hospitals and more than 1,000
outpatient sites. However, others are now pushing to expand the VA Choice program, which was
set up in 2014. This proposal would make the VA system more like Medicare by allow it to contract
with outside, independent private healthcare providers. However, the implementation of such a
system remains contentious. Many worry that contracting with outside providers will change the
nature and role of the VA. Others believe that contracting will improve access and response time.
Discussion Questions
1. In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of owning, funding, and providing
care in the same healthcare system versus contracting for services?
2 .Search the internet and find two articles that discuss the VA Choice program and the problems
it has had. What are these problems, and how could they be fixed?.
Veterans administratiOn system Or contract Some people advo.pdf
1. Veterans administratiOn system Or contract
Some people advocate retaining the healthcare system administered and operated by the US
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which is made up of 172 hospitals and more than 1,000
outpatient sites. However, others are now pushing to expand the VA Choice program, which was
set up in 2014. This proposal would make the VA system more like Medicare by allow it to contract
with outside, independent private healthcare providers. However, the implementation of such a
system remains contentious. Many worry that contracting with outside providers will change the
nature and role of the VA. Others believe that contracting will improve access and response time.
Discussion Questions
1. In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of owning, funding, and providing
care in the same healthcare system versus contracting for services?
2 .Search the internet and find two articles that discuss the VA Choice program and the problems
it has had. What are these problems, and how could they be fixed?
