Veterans Back VA Expansion Over Private Care Options
Operators in veterans' health services should weigh stronger support for in-house VA care against lower ratings for community care.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Military Jobs
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Should the federal government expand VA health care rather than cut or privatize it?
Common Defense, a progressive grassroots veterans' organization, released an online survey of 457 respondents in which 85% said the VA health system should be improved and expanded. Only 4.6% supported cutting or privatizing VA staff and services, a finding relevant to any firm that contracts with or competes for veterans' care.
Why it matters
The results describe the views of a self-selected group of Common Defense members and supporters rather than a random sample of veterans, so they signal sentiment rather than measured demand. For operators in veterans' health services, staffing, and community care contracting, the findings point to sustained political and public support for in-house VA care even as private and community alternatives are rated lower.
The survey drew 457 respondents from an invitation list of more than 500,000 veterans, military family members, and supporters. Ratings put VA health care at 78 out of 100, ahead of VA Community Care at 72 and private health care at 67, though the sample is not representative and no margin of error was reported.
The players
Common Defense
A progressive grassroots organization of veterans founded in 2016 that conducts advocacy and member surveys on veterans' issues.
Department of Veterans Affairs
The federal agency that operates the VA health system and administers veterans' health care, benefits, and contracted community care programs that businesses in veterans' services work alongside.
The details
Common Defense ran the survey online between September 3 and October 25 by emailing its list, and respondents were asked about VA staffing, services, trust in care, and comparative ratings of VA, VA Community Care, and private providers. Because results were unweighted and drawn from people already engaged with the group, the strong majorities reflect the attitudes of a motivated audience. The 84% of VA health care users who reported always or usually getting timely care is a self-reported measure from that same sample.
Timeline
The online survey ran from September 3 to October 25, 2026.
Common Defense announced the results on November 3, 2026.
Market Landscape
The MISSION Act of 2018 widened veterans' access to private community care, creating a market for outside providers alongside the VA's own system. This survey, though not representative, rates VA Community Care below direct VA care and private care, suggesting that sentiment favors the in-house system.
Operators in veterans' health services and staffing should factor in continued public support for VA capacity when pursuing contracts tied to VA care. Firms that depend on VA Community Care referrals should consider whether lower ratings for that channel affect their long-term planning, and should consult qualified counsel on any contract terms.
The takeaway
Treat the 85% support figure as a sentiment signal from a motivated, unweighted sample rather than a measure of veteran demand. Before committing capacity to community care, review your contract exposure to VA versus private referrals and track future independent surveys for a more representative read.
Further reading
For broader context on the employment side of this sector, explore more Military Jobs coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NJTODAY.
Live Poll
Should the federal government expand VA health care rather than cut or privatize it?
