Comparing The Costs Of The Veterans’ Health Care System With Private Sector Costs

In December 2014, the Congressional Budget Office released a report discussing the difference in cost to provide care through the Veterans Health Administration and the private sector. The report briefly describes some of the features that distinguish the health care system run by VHA from health care provided in the private sector. It also examines the  available evidence about the relative costs of VHA and private-sector care and explores possible reasons why costs might differ in the two settings and why they can be difficult to compare. Finally, CBO briefly considers some factors that could influence the cost-effectiveness . . .