President Trump may have finally followed through with his threat to fire Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, but Shulkin isn't going quietly. Hours after he was fired Wednesday afternoon, Shulkin published an op-ed in The New York Times suggesting that he was pushed out because he stood in the way of Trump appointees who want to privatize the VA. After professing his love for veterans and the agency he led, Shulkin lists what he views as his big accomplishments over three years at the Department of Veterans Affairs, adding:
It seems that these successes within the department have intensified the ambitions of people who want to put VA health care in the hands of the private sector. ... They saw me as an obstacle to privatization who had to be removed. That is because I am convinced that privatization is a political issue aimed at rewarding select people and companies with profits, even if it undermines care for veterans. ... Unfortunately, the department has become entangled in a brutal power struggle, with some political appointees choosing to promote their agendas instead of what's best for veterans. These individuals, who seek to privatize veteran health care as an alternative to government-run VA care, unfortunately fail to engage in realistic plans regarding who will care for the more than 9 million veterans who rely on the department for life-sustaining care. [David Shulkin, via The New York Times]
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
-
The Week Unwrapped: Sudan, tackling homelessness and fake newsPodcast What is happening in Sudan? Could London really end rough sleeping? And why has Joe Lycett being making up stories?
-
Taylor Swift's surprise double album: an event of 'world-shaking proportions'Why Everyone's Talking About Fans are 'reeling' after The Tortured Poets Department is followed by The Anthology – 15 additional tracks
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claimsSpeed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claimsSpeed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aidSpeed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of warSpeed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picksSpeed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikesSpeed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the RivetersSpeed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
