Proposals to privatize the VA hospital system, championed by figures like Pete Hegseth and Doug Collins, have sparked significant debate about the future of veterans’ health care. Advocates of privatization argue that giving veterans “unfettered choice” to seek care outside the VA would improve access, but critics warn this approach would lead to higher costs, reduced quality of care, and limited access for many veterans. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) offers a compelling parallel, demonstrating how government-run systems can deliver vital services at substantially lower costs than their private-sector counterparts.
Who’s Behind the Push for Privatization?
Pete Hegseth, a Fox News personality and Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, has been a vocal proponent of allowing veterans to take their health care dollars to private providers. He frames this as giving veterans “choice,” but critics argue his plan would effectively dismantle the VA by draining its budget and shifting resources to the private sector. Doug Collins, Trump’s nominee for VA Secretary, has echoed similar sentiments, supporting policies that would allow veterans to see private doctors instead of relying on VA care.
Both figures, backed by conservative groups like Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), have pushed for narrowing the VA’s role, suggesting that its services be limited to veterans with service-related disabilities or specialized needs. This would significantly reduce the number of veterans eligible for VA care, shifting the burden to private providers ill-equipped to handle the unique health challenges faced by veterans.
Lessons from the U.S. Postal Service
The USPS offers a clear example of how government-run systems can operate more cost-effectively than their private counterparts. Unlike UPS and FedEx, the USPS provides affordable, standardized rates to all Americans, regardless of where they live. For instance, sending a small package through USPS often costs far less than using private carriers, particularly in rural areas where private companies charge a premium.
Similarly, the VA’s government-run model ensures that veterans across the country have access to specialized care without the financial barriers often associated with private health care. Privatizing the VA would likely mirror the privatization of mail delivery—higher costs, reduced access for underserved populations, and a focus on profit over public service.
The Cost of Privatization
Hegseth and Collins argue that privatization would improve efficiency and reduce costs, but evidence from the broader U.S. health care system suggests otherwise. Countries with public health care systems, such as Canada, the UK, and Germany, spend significantly less per capita on health care while achieving better outcomes. These systems avoid the administrative waste and profit-driven inefficiencies that plague the privatized U.S. system.
Privatizing the VA would introduce similar inefficiencies. A voucher-based system, as proposed by privatization advocates, would add layers of bureaucracy and expose veterans to the higher costs of private care. Private insurers and providers make money by denying care or charging inflated prices—an approach fundamentally at odds with the VA’s mission to serve those who served.
Specialized Care at Risk
One of the VA’s greatest strengths is its ability to provide specialized care tailored to veterans’ unique needs. From treating PTSD and traumatic brain injuries to offering state-of-the-art prosthetics, the VA has developed expertise unmatched by private providers. Shifting this care to the private sector risks leaving veterans without access to the holistic, specialized treatment they need. Just as private shipping companies prioritize profitable routes over equitable service, private health care providers may prioritize low-cost, high-margin patients, leaving veterans with complex conditions underserved.
Equity and Access in Danger
The VA, like the USPS, plays a critical role in ensuring equitable access to services. Rural veterans, in particular, rely on the VA as a lifeline in areas where private providers are scarce. Privatizing the VA could create significant disparities in access, leaving these veterans with limited options for care. Experts warn that privatization could lead to delays in care or outright inaccessibility for vulnerable populations.
Strengthen, Don’t Privatize
The success of the USPS and the public health systems in other industrialized nations highlights the advantages of government-run models. Instead of privatizing the VA, policymakers should focus on strengthening it by modernizing facilities, streamlining operations, and addressing existing shortcomings. This approach would ensure the VA continues to fulfill its mission without subjecting veterans to the pitfalls of the profit-driven private sector. The push for privatization, driven by figures like Hegseth and Collins, threatens to erode the VA’s ability to serve the veterans who depend on it. As with the USPS, the VA demonstrates that government-run systems can deliver vital services at lower costs and with greater equity. For the sake of veterans and the nation, the focus must remain on improving the VA, not dismantling it.
