During Jan. 16 episode of America’s Work Force, guests discuss privatization and contracting out services at VA medical centers.

Willie Haywood Jr., District 6 Representative of the National Veterans Affairs Council, discussed the current state of the VA’s across the country. Haywood , member of VA Council 262, which encompasses Indiana, Ohio and Northern Kentucky, talked about fully staffing VA’s. He said that by fully staffing veterans, they will be able to receive the proper, adequate care that they need and deserve. Haywood also mentioned that VAs having their own medical providers will take away the need to go through a private sector to receive care and it will also keep the sense of comradery between the veterans in tact.

John Auerbach, President and CEO of the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), discussed public health and preventable issues during the Jan. 16 edition of AWF. Auerbach talked about West Virginia and Ohio having the highest rate of drug overdose deaths in America. He said that he believes the reason for the high overdose death being so high in those areas is a result of poor quality of life as well as a lack of access to proper treatment. He mentioned that the life expectancy in America is dropping because of the increase in drug overdose deaths. Lastly, he mentioned the problem with doctors over prescribing opioids for pain treatment.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc discussed the ongoing government shutdown and the effects that it is having on government employees.