I love the VA facilities and staff. I have good insurance from work, Blue Cross, but I choose to use the VA for primary care. They accept my insurance just like any other doctor might. (You still must be eligible, of course.) I've always been treated with respect, and have never had a bad experience. My late father and my uncle both used the VA health providers, too, and both were treated right.
I've heard lots of people complain about the VA, but my experience has been 100% positive.
I've taken both my Dad and my Grandpa to various things at the VA here in Albany. Both have had good experiences, and both have had serious surgeries there. My only bad experience was with another patient there, but he may well have had some issues underlying. That wasn't the fault of the VA, and secure intervened. My Dad's doctor went to the same med school my son is in and is doing his residency at the VA.
I have veteran friends that use VA, some like most do not. I am retired Navy so use the TriCare for Life program as supplement to medicare. It has been a super seamless program. Have not paid anything on a medical procedure in almost 20 years. Prescription program is also real good, mail order on 90 day supply, their contract provider does all the refill and new prescription action with the doctors. I use all generic medicines so cost is $0 plus $10 mailing cost. Never signed up at either a military clinic or the VA. Happy W/O them. I file my 1040 with schedule A and never have enough medical to reach the threshold. Have had 2 bach surgeries of $800K each retail and a infected gall bladder ER and two hospital session that had retail of almost $2M, did not have to pay a dime and no hassle factors.
They claim to provide services other insurance glasses and hearing aids and nursing care. Still hasn't attracted me. But then I have excellent retirement income, 6 figures+ and good nest egg, so figure I can weather most any storm. Others less secure financially, unfortunately have to fight the system programmed against them, it seems. My heart goes out to them especially the homeless veterans. I help them all I am able.