Why the VA Needs More Competition

Despite independent studies showing that clinical quality in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health system is often as good as or better than that in the private sector, numerous areas for improvement remain. Moreover, going forward, VA reform efforts will have to focus on building systems that ensure high quality standards for both VA medical centers and private-sector providers that care for veterans. The agency has long relied on the private sector to augment its capacity to meet veterans' health care needs, and private-sector providers are often the only practical option for veterans in rural areas or those requiring specialty services not offered by their local VA medical center. © 2018 Massachussetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.