Former Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin blamed his ouster at the VA on Trump administration officials who want to privatize veterans’ healthcare, highlighting Washington’s “toxic” climate in an op-ed for the New York Times published just after his departure on Wednesday.
“It seems that these successes within the department have intensified the ambitions of people who want to put V.A. health care in the hands of the private sector,” Shulkin wrote after listing what he perceived to be his accomplishments at the VA.
“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 V.A. health services, however, reject this approach,” Shulkin said. “They saw me as an obstacle to privatization who had to be removed.”
Trump announced via Twitter on Wednesday that he is nominating his physician, Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, to take Shulkin’s place at the agency. Once among Trump’s favorite Cabinet members, Shulkin fell out of favor with the president in recent months amid controversy over his private travel expenses, VA staff infighting and continued problems with management at a number of VA hospitals.
….In the interim, Hon. Robert Wilkie of DOD will serve as Acting Secretary. I am thankful for Dr. David Shulkin’s service to our country and to our GREAT VETERANS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2018
Shulkin claimed the controversies contributed to his ouster on Wednesday, which followed weeks of speculation about his fate.
“[T]he environment in Washington has turned so toxic, chaotic, disrespectful and subversive that it became impossible for me to accomplish the important work that our veterans need and deserve,” Shulkin wrote. “I can assure you that I will continue to speak out against those who seek to harm the V.A. by putting their personal agendas in front of the well-being of our veterans.”
Although Shulkin supported policies that would expand veterans’ access to services in the private sector under certain circumstances, he has long maintained that the VA should continue to provide the bulk of care for veterans who rely on the agency.
Few Republicans have advocated for fully privatizing the VA, a proposal that would meet fierce resistance from Democrats and veterans service organizations.
However, some have pushed VA leadership to broaden the scope of treatment veterans can access in the private sector on the VA’s dime.
