For years I have agreed with those who said veterans should be able to get health care from the private sector covered by the VA. This video from Russell Erwin makes the case better than I ever could. In one of his final Facebook posts he wrote:
You have changed things. I just got a call from a lady at VA. Someone sent the video to a senator and that senator (she would not give me the senators name) contacted the VA and told them to find a way for me to receive after treatment where ever I want. This is a big deal. However, while this does help me obtain the treatment I need it still doesn't change the fact that had they done things the way they should have I would not be dying. My desire and wish is to force changes in the va to allow ALL veterans to get the care they need. If they can now allow me to get treatment where ever I want then they can allow ALL veterans to get treatment where ever they want. Please don't stop now. This is a fight you can win.
That was in 2016. Mr. Erwin passed away less than a year later. This needs to change!