The Veterans Administration was started in 1930 by a Republican administration. It was created to address the significant, underserved, and unique needs of veterans. It has been supported by both parties throughout its existence. Make no mistake, the current administration’s latest action is not about quality care or efficiency, it is a money grab to take public funds and give them to private medical concerns and the already wealthiest individuals in society.

This is not about truly caring for veterans. This is about the continuing dismantling of American institutions for the profit of a privileged few.

The current president, not a student of history, who insults and demeans veterans, and uses them only as political pawns, fails to understand why the VA even exists.

Veterans often have unique health care needs and problems that are not well served by the general medical population. Congress understood this when the VA was created. The VA is not merely a place to go for a doctor visit, it is to care for veterans in need beyond a single specific medical condition.

There is no substitute for the VA’s experience in dealing with the needs of the veteran population.