A 15-member investigatory commission released a report Tuesday stipulating 17 recommendations to improve and reform the veterans' healthcare system. Among those listed — a directive to create a nationwide veterans' healthcare network comprised, in part, of private physicians, reports New York Times.
Under the proposal, the Veterans Health Administration would oversee a network of physicians from the Department of Veterans Affairs, military hospitals and the private sector. Veterans could choose to see any approved network physician, according to the article.
If implemented, the proposal would replace the VA's current Choice Plan, which requires veterans' receive agency approval for using outside physicians. The program has been roundly criticized for billing and payment backlogs and long approval wait times.
The proposal has sparked controversy among VA advocates. Critics of the proposal argue that partial privatization of the VA system could lead to uncoordinated patient care and significantly reduced utilization of VA facilities.
The commission's report can be accessed here.
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