Veterans propose major changes in VA health care

Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY 2:29 p.m. EST February 26, 2015

The Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Phoenix where the veterans health care scandal first erupted.(Photo: Michael Chow, The Arizona Republic)

WASHINGTON A national veterans task force is advocating radical changes in the medical system for America's former military personnel, including a choice to receive subsidized private care and conversion of the Veterans Health Administration into a non-profit corporation rather than a government agency.

The reform measures, if enacted into law, would affect America's roughly 22 million veterans dramatically, especially the 8.5 million enrolled for care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Repercussions would be even more profound for future veterans.

Concerned Veterans for America, a conservative non-profit, sponsored the study called "Fixing Veterans Health Care" amid a crisis in VA health-care services.

Among key recommendations:

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Health care should be reprioritized to focus on veterans with service-connected disabilities and specialized needs. Patients already in the VA medical system would retain their access and eligibility while gaining new options.

All enrolled veterans would be able to continue using VA health facilities or shift to subsidized care through private providers. The government would pay a percentage of medical costs via insurance programs, with coverage levels determined by each veteran's eligibility status. (The VA already provides benefits based on tiered eligibility calculations.)

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Veterans propose major changes in VA health care

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