DAV Magazine — September/October 2016
Commission on Care releases final report
In July, the Commission on Care submitted its final report to the president, offering sweeping recommendations for transforming veterans health care.
As part of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, Congress established the Commission on Care to examine veterans’ access to Department of Veterans Affairs health care and to examine strategically how best to organize the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), locate health resources and deliver health care to veterans over the next 20 years.
During a 10-month examination of access to health care and how to best deliver it over the next two decades, the commission reviewed the 4,000- page Independent Assessment Report chartered by Congress, met with stakeholders, visited VHA facilities and exchanged ideas with VA leaders and employees, members of Congress and other health care experts.
“We will continue to work with veterans, Congress and our partners in the veteran advocacy community to further our ongoing transformation of the veterans health care system,” said President Barack Obama in a statement. “Our veterans deserve nothing less for their sacrifices and their service.”
Leading veterans service organizations—including DAV—support many aspects of the commission’s report but have reservations regarding some recommendations, particularly one to create an independent board to run the VHA health care system separate from the rest of the VA.
“We have serious concerns about taking control of the VHA away from the Secretary and giving it to an unelected, independent board that is less accountable to the president, Congress and veterans,” said DAV Washington Headquarters Executive Director Garry Augustine. “Separating veterans health care services from other veterans benefits would result in less coordinated support for veterans.
“We agree with the commission’s intentions of providing greater stability and continuity of leadership,” Augustine added. “However, there are better ways to accomplish these goals without undercutting VA’s integrated system of services and benefits.”
As part of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, Congress established the Commission on Care to examine veterans’ access to Department of Veterans Affairs health care and to examine strategically how best to organize the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), locate health resources and deliver health care to veterans over the next 20 years.
During a 10-month examination of access to health care and how to best deliver it over the next two decades, the commission reviewed the 4,000- page Independent Assessment Report chartered by Congress, met with stakeholders, visited VHA facilities and exchanged ideas with VA leaders and employees, members of Congress and other health care experts.
“We will continue to work with veterans, Congress and our partners in the veteran advocacy community to further our ongoing transformation of the veterans health care system,” said President Barack Obama in a statement. “Our veterans deserve nothing less for their sacrifices and their service.”
Leading veterans service organizations—including DAV—support many aspects of the commission’s report but have reservations regarding some recommendations, particularly one to create an independent board to run the VHA health care system separate from the rest of the VA.
“We have serious concerns about taking control of the VHA away from the Secretary and giving it to an unelected, independent board that is less accountable to the president, Congress and veterans,” said DAV Washington Headquarters Executive Director Garry Augustine. “Separating veterans health care services from other veterans benefits would result in less coordinated support for veterans.
“We agree with the commission’s intentions of providing greater stability and continuity of leadership,” Augustine added. “However, there are better ways to accomplish these goals without undercutting VA’s integrated system of services and benefits.”
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