Learn about issues important to veterans’ health care at the links below.
VHA Healthcare – what it does and who it serves:
The Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute’s Congressional Guide for Veteran's Health Care explains the VA, what it does and the issues important to veterans and activists. Download a PDF copy of the guide at: Tools and Resources | VHPI
Who is eligible for VHA Care?
The type of discharge a veteran receives and VA regulations around them determine which veterans are eligible for VHA care and benefits. Learn more at:
VA Vs. Private Sector Healthcare
Many studies demonstrates that VA health care is equal to or better than private sector care. Read about some at:
- New Study Settles the Privatization Debate: VA Produces Better Outcomes at Lower Cost
- A VA Primary Care Physician Explains How the “VA Advantage” Works on the Ground
- VHA Caregivers Provide Privatization Reality Check
An excellent VHPI resource for more information comparing VA to private sector care is at Peer Reviewed Study Summaries on the VA’s Superior Healthcare.
Problems with the Community Care Program mandated by the MISSION Act of 2018 disadvantage the VA opening doors to further outsource VA care to the private sector. Read about some of these issues at:
- The "Hidden Work" of VA Outsourcing
- The Rampant Fraudulent Billing in Outsourced Veterans’ Health Care
- Veterans Community Care Program Lacks Essential Data for Health Care Decisions
The VA leads the way
Over the years, VHA innovation helped develop the shingles vaccine, the nicotine patch, the first implantable cardiac pacemaker, the first successful liver transplant, the CT scanner and more. The VA led the way in electronic health records and its telehealth care is being adopted by the private sector since the COVID pandemic. Read about a few of the ways the VA uses telehealth at
- With telehealth, Veterans can access care when and where they need it - VA News
- Making it easier for older Veterans to access VA telehealth - VA News
- Helping Veterans cross the digital divide with improved access to health care - VA News
- Virtual and in-home care a win for housebound Veterans - VA News
- Cincinnati VA’s innovative approach to TeleRehabilitation therapies - VA News
- VA TeleEye provides specialty care to Veterans nationwide
- TeleEye Screening focuses on preventative care – Part Two
- VA Telehealth improves access to nutrition services
Myths about VA care
The Phoenix wait times scandal is one myth about VA healthcare used to disparage VA health care. Learn about these myths at: Five myths about VA health care
The Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute (VHPI) keeps you up to date
VHPI posts regular analysis of the current state of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and efforts to privatize the VA. Sign up for the site and subscribe to its newsletter at Our Work | VHPI
