Read About Issues

Learn about issues important to veterans’ health care at the links below.

Project 2025 would devastate the VA 

The Heritage Foundation spearheaded a group of over 100 conservative organizations in formulating a plan for the next Republican administration.  The media describes how it will impact women’s health care, the Department of Justice and civil servants but neglects explaining its impact on VA health care and benefits. Read about its effect on the VA at:

• A 2^nd Trump Term Would Decimate Veterans’ Healthcare & Benefits   
• Opinion: Project 2025 would slash veterans' hard-earned benefits.  
• Republican Project 2025 Takes Dead Aim at Veterans' Health and Disability Benefits

A VA Commissioned Task Force says the VA is in danger 

The task force issued the report “The Urgent Need to Address VHA Community Care Spending and Access Strategies” in March of 2024.  Read what the report says at Red-Team-Executive-Roundtable.  Read Suzanne Gordon’s responses at:  Privatization Warning

Read more about the dangers to the VA at:

• Senators, advocates fear private community health care is eroding VA services 
• The VHA is At a Financial Tipping Point

• Vets are dying because VA won't impose standards
• Private Providers Practice Unsafe Prescription Habits
• New VHPI Paper Raises Urgent Issues on Rural Health
• VA’s Private Health Plan Faces Huge Cost Overruns 

VHA Healthcare – what it does and who it serves

This guide explains the VA, what it does and the issues important to veterans and activists. Download a PDF copy at: Tools and Resources | VHPI

Who is eligible for VHA Care?

The type of discharge a veteran receives and VA regulations around them determine which veterans are eligible for VA care and benefits. Learn more at:

• Military Discharge Fact Sheet
• The fallout of a 'bad paper' discharge

VA Vs. Private Sector Healthcare

Many studies demonstrate that VA health care is equal to or better than private sector care.  Read about some at:

• New Study Settles the Privatization Debate: VA Produces Better Outcomes at Lower Cost
• A VA Primary Care Physician Explains How the “VA Advantage” Works on the Ground
• VHA Caregivers Provide Privatization Reality Check

Much more information comparing VA to private sector care is at Peer Reviewed Study Summaries on the VA’s Superior Healthcare. 

The VA leads the way

VHA innovation helped develop the shingles vaccine, the nicotine patch, the first successful liver transplant, the CT scanner and more.   Read more at: 

• With telehealth, Veterans can access care when and where they need it

• Making it easier for older Veterans to access VA telehealth
• One Million Strong: VA’s Million Veteran Program makes history
• How VA served Veterans during the pandemic

Myths about VA care

The Phoenix wait times scandal is one myth about VA healthcare used to disparage VA health care. Learn about these myths at: Five myths about VA health care

The Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute (VHPI) keeps you up to date

VHPI posts regular analysis of the current state of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and efforts to privatize the VA. Sign up for the site and subscribe to its newsletter at Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute (VHPI).