The misleadingly titled "Veterans' ACCESS Act" is a threat to the VA healthcare system that veterans know and depend on. While promoted as increasing access, it contains provisions that would rapidly escalate private outsourcing of VA care. This would hemorrhage funds away from the VA's integrated system toward the private sector, likely forcing closures of VA inpatient facilities. Veterans could lose the expert, specialized care tailored to their needs. Independent analyses show runaway spending on private "community care" already jeopardizes the VA's sustainability. This bill would remove guardrails completely, greenlighting unlimited private outpatient treatment at the VA's expense. After just three years, it would expand to all care, transforming the VA into an insurance payer, not a provider. With the VA's limited budget, this path risks making veterans reliant on a struggling private system already facing provider shortages, especially in rural areas. Instead of dismantling VA healthcare through privatization, the VA needs expanded staffing and facilities to serve the rapidly growing patient load, including nearly 400,000 newly eligible under the PACT Act. Overhauling the VA's mission based on ideological, not veteran welfare grounds disrespects their service and sacrifices. Independent surveys show over 90% of veterans want the VA fixed and strengthened as their primary care coordinator, not gutted. Vote no on the deceptively titled ACCESS Act.
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