Washington, D.C. – The federal government’s contracting system has long faced scrutiny for rewarding bad behavior from private companies with public funds, often resulting in costly consequences and little oversight. This dysfunctional pattern is particularly evident in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where privatization schemes have led to inadequate access to care for veterans.
Within the VA, privatization extends to various services, including the IT network and mental health treatment. These privatization efforts not only undermine veterans’ access to quality care but also enable private corporations to profit at the expense of patient well-being.
One area where this problematic dynamic is especially glaring is in the VA’s relationship with its dialysis contractors. The VA’s reliance on dialysis services provided by private contractors has resulted in significant discrepancies in care quality and cost, with the majority of veterans receiving dialysis services from just two providers.
The duopoly created by these dialysis contractors has been detrimental to patient care, with reports of clinics over-administering dialysis and disproportionately poor health outcomes for ethnic and racial minorities. Additionally, the lack of oversight has left contracted firms unaccountable for the harm experienced by patients under their care.
In addition to the issues with patient care, these dialysis contractors have also been accused of labor abuse and union-busting practices. Staff shortages have led to clinic closures, harming patient outcomes and creating a hostile work environment for caregivers. Despite these challenges, contractors like Fresenius and DaVita have prioritized profits over patient care and staff well-being.
As these issues persist, it is essential for the government to ensure that public funds are used to benefit the public good and hold contractors accountable for their actions. The VA, in particular, must address the flaws in its contracting system and prioritize the well-being of veterans and caregivers.
With the VA’s contracts with dialysis servicers set to end soon, there is an opportunity to address and rectify the shortcomings in the current system. It is crucial for the department to make concrete plans to move away from the existing problematic infrastructure and prioritize the needs of veterans, caregivers, and taxpayers moving forward.