I utilize the VA soley because it is no cost to me and for the convenience. The physicians (4) that I've been assigned (no choice given) have been acceptable but not great. The VA does provide services such as blood lipid panels, MRIs, XRays, etc. which I do find useful, but I would not seek treatment through the VA for the treatment of a major health issue.

I recently had a double hernia repaired by a local private surgeon with a co-pay cost to me of about $1200.00. The VA would have done it at no cost, but I wanted to chose my own surgeon, someone that I had confidence in.

Trying to get an appointment with a specialist through the VA can also prove difficult. The last I checked, the wait to see a dermotologist was well over a year.

If I had to pay the "going rate" for the services provided by the VA, I would no longer use them. If ObamaCare were modeled on the VA system, I would seek an alternative.