If it is indeed true that a debt is owed to those who contribute to our improvement, then among the groups that the United States of America owes the most to are the men and women who have selflessly devoted their lives in service to the nation. These individuals deserve, at the very least, the utmost care in maintaining a normal and healthy life if they return to the land they have sacrificed so much for.

When it comes to addressing the sensitive and critical matter of veterans' healthcare, careful consideration is essential to determine the most effective approach. An important question arises: should we rely solely on the Veteran Affairs (VA) system or should we consider outsourcing certain aspects of this operation?

This matter can be viewed from various angles, and arriving at a decision that truly serves the best interests of veterans across the nation demands careful contemplation. Ultimately, the question of whether to entrust the consistently nuanced healthcare needs of veterans to the VA or to outsource must be answered unequivocally.

The argument for leaving the responsibility of veterans' healthcare needs exclusively to Veteran Affairs is grounded in the best interests of these heroes. Contrary to the notion that this perspective resists exploring innovative solutions, it actually stems from a genuine desire to ensure the best possible care for those who have served.

In 2014, when the Senate Veteran Committee announced that veterans living over 40 miles from a VA facility could access more convenient private care, many celebrated this development. However, delving deeper into the implications revealed that outsourcing veterans' healthcare needs might not hold the favorable outcomes some assume.

A crucial point to consider is that healthcare services for veterans in the U.S. have, to some extent, already been outsourced. Although not on an extensive scale, the government has been outsourcing significant aspects of veteran healthcare for almost two decades. For instance, the contract established between the Bush Administration and Humana aimed to facilitate health care access for veterans in rural regions. This practice continues under the Access Received Closer to Home project. As of 2009, it was estimated that the U.S. government had spent nearly $3 billion on veteran healthcare with private providers. This trend persisted under the Obama Administration.

However, concerns emerged as early as 2012 that these programs inadequately met the needs of veterans. Alma Lee, the National VA Council President for the American Federation of Government Employees, highlighted the shortcomings of contract physicians and nurses, who lack the specialized skills and best practices of VA employees. The excessive outsourcing resulted in financial strain on medical centers without benefiting patients.

Beyond the issue of service quality, outsourcing healthcare services for veterans poses challenges in cost management and operational efficiency. The fragmented services created by outsourcing could lead to further problems, especially considering the existing complexities within the U.S. healthcare system.

The National Quality Forum, a leading non-profit organization, emphasizes that care coordination is integral to health services. Fragmented care, often seen in people with chronic conditions, can result in harm, disease burden, and overuse of services. Poor communication, medication errors, and preventable hospital readmissions remain substantial issues.

The truth is that the Veteran Affairs system, while not flawless, is an integrated healthcare delivery system that effectively serves veterans' needs. The VA's focus on veterans' best interests sets it apart. Philip Longman, author of "Best Care Anywhere: Why VA Care Would Work Better for Everyone," explains that the VA's lifetime relationship with patients creates incentives to invest in their long-term health. The VA's integrated approach and use of a common electronic medical record and evidence-based protocols reduce redundant treatment and fragmentation of care.

Considering the VA's distinct advantages, opting for an inferior service through outsourcing doesn't align with veterans' best interests. To genuinely prioritize veterans, strengthening and supporting the VA should be the primary course of action. Fragmenting its services is simply not a viable option.