The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs cares for approximately 9 million veterans in 1,255 facilities. It is the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system.
Charles Dharapak/AP
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Charles Dharapak/AP
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs cares for approximately 9 million veterans in 1,255 facilities. It is the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system.
Charles Dharapak/AP
ONE nationwide Medicare survey released today shows that veterans rate Veterans’ hospitals higher than private healthcare facilities in all 10 patient satisfaction categories.
The VA cares for approximately 9 million veterans in 1,255 facilities — the nation’s largest integrated health care system. Despite many well-publicized scandals, VA healthcare is consistently rated as competitive with private healthcare in the United States. Dozens of peer-reviewed articles.
“I strongly believe that VA is the best choice for veterans care. Study after study has shown that the quality and safety of patients is at least as good if not better. better than our private sector counterparts,” said Dr. Shereef Elnahal, VA Deputy Minister of Health.
This most recent survey, called the HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems), shows that the VA beats private facilities in all categories. surveyed, such as patient satisfaction, hospital cleanliness, and communication with nurses and doctors.
“This offers one of the first opportunities to compare us directly with our private sector counterparts and we are really pleased with the results but we won’t be,” Elnahal told NPR. until 100% of hospitals are properly rated.”
A favorable comparison with the private sector is important for the VA, because Congress has expanded the VA’s use of private care as an option when veterinarians have to wait too long or go too far to get to the VA appointment. Private care is much more expensive for a VA.
Republicans in Congress, who generally favor greater use of personal care, have even accused the VA of obstructing it. Most recently, House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost Written with VA Secretary Denis McDonough about what he called his “utter disappointment with the Veterans Health Administration’s lack of prompt action to provide community care for veterans.” … in dire need of prompt care.”
“I hope you share my frustration. These barriers do not serve veterans well and we must do better,” Bost wrote.
