Over the weekend, the Department of Veterans Affairs approved a plan allowing veterans to seek medical attention and care outside of the government run system. According to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, who has been asked to resign by a number of heavy hitting veterans groups like the American Legion as a result of the wait time and secret lists scandal across the country, veterans will now be able to seek non-specialized care away from the VA system. Currently the VA spends 10 percent of its budget on private care services, a number likely to increase in the fallout of the scandal.
Yesterday Dr. Devi Nampiaparampil made an appearance on America's Newsroom and argued privatization will increase efficiency in care for vets and cut down on duplication.
"The VA should be making more advances to work with private entities," Nampiaparampil said. "I think in terms of privatizing, I think it would be helpful for the VA to work with other hospitals."