White House physician Ronny Jackson, MD, will soon appear before Congress to confirm his nomination as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, but the hearing could quickly turn into a referendum on the potential privatization of the VA, according to The Hill.
Ousted VA Secretary David Shulkin, MD, claimed his departure was due to his resistance to privatizing VA care.
"I believe differences in philosophy deserve robust debate, and solutions should be determined based on the merits of the arguments. The advocates within the administration for privatizing VA health services, however, reject this approach," Dr. Shulkin wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times. "They saw me as an obstacle to privatization who had to be removed. That is because I am convinced that privatization is a political issue aimed at rewarding select people and companies with profits, even if it undermines care for veterans."
Though members of President Donald Trump's administration said he has no intention of encouraging privatization of the VA, President Trump repeatedly encouraged the idea during his 2016 campaign.
"Veterans should be guaranteed the right to choose their doctor and clinics, whether at a VA facility or at a private medical center," President Trump said at a Virginia Beach campaign rally in 2016, according to The Hill. "We must extend this right to all veterans."
Dr. Jackson was a surprise pick by President Trump to lead the VA, which has caused some members of Congress to question what his position on privatization will be. Many lawmakers strongly oppose privatization, ensuring it will be a major point of attention during the hearing.
"Our job is to strengthen the VA in order to provide high-quality care to our veterans, not dismember it," Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said in a statement. "The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs should not approve any nominee for secretary who supports the privatization of the VA."