20. Department Of Veterans Affairs (Summary)

Author: Brooks D. Tucker

Summary

• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is responsible for providing health care, benefits, and memorial services to veterans and their families, aiming to be a “Veteran-centric” organization.
• During the Obama Administration, the VA faced a crisis of confidence due to a healthcare access scandal, leading to the resignation of Secretary Eric Shinseki.
• By 2020, under Secretary Robert Wilkie, the VA had transformed into one of the most respected U.S. agencies through a renewed focus on veterans’ needs.
• The current VA leadership has retained some prior governance practices but has shifted focus toward social equity and union workforce expansion, which has raised concerns about the department’s commitment to “Veteran-centric” care.
• The VA’s history dates back to post-Civil War state veterans’ homes, with significant expansions after both World Wars and the Vietnam War.
• The VA now operates 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,113 Community Based Outpatient Clinics, serving about 6.4 million veterans.
• Disability benefits have expanded significantly since the Vietnam War, leading to increased budget pressures and processing challenges.
• The VA is facing challenges related to aging infrastructure, shifting veteran demographics, and the need for IT modernization.
• The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) needs to rescind certain clinical policies, focus on shifting demographics, and strengthen Community Care networks.
• The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) requires better management of disability claims, increased automation, and a reevaluation of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD).
• Human Resources and Administration (HRA) must address remote work challenges, streamline acquisition processes, and improve employee satisfaction to attract and retain talent.

Analysis

• Potential Ramifications:
  • Healthcare Access: If the VA fails to maintain a “Veteran-centric” approach, it could lead to decreased trust among veterans and a decline in the quality of care provided.
  • Social Equity Focus: The emphasis on social equity and union workforce expansion might divert resources from core VA functions, potentially leading to inefficiencies and reduced care quality.
  • Aging Infrastructure: Without addressing the infrastructure and staffing challenges, the VA could struggle to meet the needs of the veteran population, especially as demographics shift.
  • IT Modernization: Delays in IT upgrades could hamper the VA’s ability to provide timely and effective services, impacting everything from health care to benefits processing.
  • Disability Benefits Expansion: Expanding disability benefits without adequate planning could overwhelm the system, leading to backlogs and delayed services.

Tags

• Veterans Affairs
• Veteran-centric Care
• Healthcare Reform
• VA Infrastructure
• Veterans Benefits

Read the original chapter text here: https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf#page=674

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