UPDATE: A coalition of 350 current and former VA doctors and caregivers has issued an urgent warning to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about significant risks to veterans’ healthcare. In a mass letter sent on October 25, 2023, to VA Secretary Doug Collins, congressional leaders, and the agency’s inspector general, the group emphasizes that recent staffing cuts and policy changes threaten to undermine the VA’s ability to serve veterans effectively.
The letter, known as the Lincoln Declaration, raises alarm over the VA’s increasing reliance on outsourcing care to private sector providers, which they argue will divert critical resources from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and negatively impact veterans’ care. “We write to raise urgent concerns about proposed policies which, in addition to ones already enacted, will undermine VA’s healthcare system, overwhelm VA’s budget, and negatively affect the lives of all veterans,” the group asserts.
Since the letter was sent, the number of signatories has surged from 160 to 350, indicating widespread discontent among healthcare professionals within the VA. Many of the doctors chose to remain anonymous, fearing repercussions from the agency, although more than 25 signed their names publicly.
Dr. Dean Winslow, a retired Air Force colonel and a lead signatory, stated, “The VA has a special expertise in caring for veterans. It’s a multi-disciplinary, integrated system. It’s worth fighting for.” He warns that continued outsourcing could lead to the closure of VHA facilities, forcing veterans into a private healthcare system ill-prepared to meet their specialized needs.
The letter has garnered support from prominent veterans’ advocacy groups, including the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). CEO Kyleanne Hunter emphasized the importance of maintaining a public health system centered on veteran care, stating, “We must do everything we can to ensure that promise is kept.”
In contrast, VA officials, including press secretary Peter Kasperowicz, maintain that these changes will enhance care efficiency. He claimed, “VA is serving Veterans much better under the Trump Administration than it was under the Biden Administration, and the numbers prove it.” Kasperowicz pointed to a $800 million realignment to improve VA facility infrastructure and a reduction in the backlog of veterans awaiting benefits.
However, skepticism remains among healthcare professionals. Senator Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, echoed the sentiments of the doctors, calling their warnings a “five alarm fire” regarding the detrimental effects of funding cuts and personnel firings.
The rising trend of outsourcing, referred to as “community care,” has become a growing concern for the signatories. They argue that as the VA allocates more funds to private care, the quality of direct care provided by VHA is threatened. “Rapid growth of purchased (community) care threatens to divert resources from VHA’s high-value direct care,” the letter warns.
As the situation develops, many are left questioning the future of veterans’ healthcare. The VA’s ongoing policy changes and the fallout from these cuts could have lasting implications for the millions who depend on these vital services. The urgent plea from healthcare providers highlights the immediate need for accountability and a reevaluation of the care strategies implemented by the VA.
With the stakes higher than ever, veterans’ advocates and healthcare professionals are calling for immediate action to protect the integrity of the VA system. As more voices join the chorus against these changes, the future of veterans’ healthcare hangs in the balance.
