A panel of experts has called for the closure of health-care facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and a shift of the mission to private providers. “The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has significant challenges including governance, leadership and staffing; facilities and capital needs; data and information systems; operations and processes; and others,” the Commission on Care stated in its March 18 report. “VHA is in immediate need of bold transformation.” The commission, which was formed in 2015 at the request of Congress, recommended a plan that includes increased cooperation with civilian facilities to create “an integrated health care system” for veterans. In time, the panel recommended, VA-operated facilities would become “obsolete and underused,” and eventually close. The proposal drew harsh criticism from veterans’ service organizations. The Disabled American Veterans (DAV), for example, believes that “allowing veterans ‘choice’ would outstrip funding for the ever growing VHA that never seems to end the laundry list of scandals.”