Addressing Untimely Healthcare Access of Veterans Receiving Care Through the Veteran Healthcare Administration (VHA)

Abstract

The Veteran Healthcare Administration (VHA) serves over nine million veterans. They are responsible for the health and well-being of veterans with service-connected disabilities. A major focus for the organization is to keep improving access for veterans, as the population continues to grow. In 2018, congress passed the MISSION Act in hopes of increasing access for veterans. The MISSION Act would expand private healthcare access for veterans through the Veteran Community Care Program (VCCP). Despite the initial benefits of the program, the MISSION Act failed to address many of the underlying problems related to inaccessible healthcare. As of 2024, the VHA continues to struggle with providing access due to administrative failures, data collection shortcomings, and a growing physician shortage, which continues to contribute to long wait times. This paper aims to help provide practical solutions, which will help provide veterans with timely and accessible healthcare appointments. In researching the topic possible avenues were found to improve accessibility, such as self-scheduling, telehealth expansion, and comprehensive legislation to set comprehensive wait time standards. Without immediate action to implement new legislative and administrative policies to address the VHA's shortcomings, millions of veterans will continue to struggle to get the timely care they deserve.