The VA predates the rest of the medical care run by the federal government. When it works, it is actually fairly cost effective. They are actually going the o

The VA predates the rest of the medical care run by the federal government. When it works, it is actually fairly cost effective. They are actually going the other direction on this -- trying to more closely link active duty and VA care, although there are some commercial providers in the active duty system, especially for dependents.