In a rare New Year’s Day vote, the Senate voted to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—the $740 billion military spending bill, which includes a number of healthcare provisions for veterans, servicemembers, and the general public.
Legislators Push for VA, DoD to Preferentially Purchase U.S.-Made PPE
As the pandemic numbers rose last spring, the VA discovered what hospital systems across the country were learning—that the usual supply chains for personal protective equipment (PPE) could not handle the demand, and the gray market was rife with price-gouging and low-quality products.
How Will Biden Presidency Change VA, DoD Healthcare?
Next month, President-elect Joe Biden will take office and begin implementing his plans to redirect the energies of federal agencies, including VA and DoD.
APA Recommends Ongoing Use of Long-Acting Injectables for SMI
WASHINGTON — Even as VA facilities open up nationwide, administrators and others are keeping a wary eye on the possibility of a significant second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall. U.S. healthcare systems are preparing now for a sharp increase in cases in the...
Radiologist Fights Physician Burnout Intensified by the Pandemic
MILWAUKEE—As physicians in hospitals across the country find themselves faced with the overwhelming task of treating—and frequently losing—COVID-19 patients, they are describing the experience as akin to battlefield conditions. Even the language used to describe the...
Many MTF Pharmacies Now Offer Drive-Through, Curbside Pickup
BETHESDA, MD—Pharmacies throughout the Military Health System have taken steps to protect their customers and staff from exposure to COVID-19 in recent weeks. Many have adopted curbside pickup and expanded drive-thru capacity. Others have adapted their physical...
A VA-Like Pharmacy Benefits Program Could Be a National Model
Potential to Fix Two Huge Problems with the U.S. Healthcare System CAMBRIDGE, MA—Rising drug prices have frustrated patients nationwide, often leading individuals to forgo needed therapies because they simply could not afford them. In some instances, cost-control...
Star Ratings System Out at VA; More Localized Healthcare Comparisons Offered
WASHINGTON—The VA will no longer use a star ratings system to compare its 146 VA medical centers. Instead, the VA will make public measures such as wait times, quality of medical care and patient experience ratings available for each facility. According to VA...
VA Survey: Health Issues Are Greatest Concerns for New Veterans
Most Report Satisfaction with Work Life, Social Well-Being BOSTON — Health issues plague veterans, even when they first leave military service and are viewed as a bigger problem than finding work or establishing civilian social relationships. That’s according to a new...
Whisteblowers Report Ongoing Harassment for Revealing VA Malfeasance
WASHINGTON — In 2014, Katherine Mitchell, MD, was one of a handful of employees at the Phoenix VAMC who blew the whistle on hospital leadership for keeping a separate, secret list of veterans seeking healthcare—a numerical sleight-of-hand that allowed them to artificially decrease the facility’s wait times.
Ensuring Community Providers Meet Veteran Suicide Prevention Standards
WASHINGTON — As leaders from across multiple federal agencies begin work on a roadmap to combat veteran suicide, they are searching for ways to turn existing efforts in towns, cities, counties and neighborhoods across the country into a net that can help catch struggling veterans.
Thousands of Lives Were Saved by Military Medicine Innovations in Recent Wars
Mortality Reduced more than 44% During Iraq, Afghanistan Conflicts SAN ANTONIO—The ability of military medicine to constantly innovate in saving the lives of wounded warriors reduced mortality 44.2% during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a new...
Physician Documents, Promotes Veteran Honor Guards in VA Hospices
PHILADELPHIA—Michelle Brassil, MD, had been warned when she began her fellowship at the Cpl. Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center’s Community Living Center in Philadelphia. “Don’t be surprised if you’re emotional,” her supervisor told her. “It’s not like anything you...
VAMCs Usually as Good or Better Than Private Hospitals in Same Communities
Veterans are being given more options for obtaining care outside of the VA healthcare system. The question raised in new research is whether doing so improves care.