Learn about issues important to veterans’ health care at the links below.
DOGE and Trump are destroying the VA
What is happening to the VA changes daily and much is very unclear. Below are some of the articles explaining what is happening.
The already understaffed VA is under a hiring freeze and staff is being cut:
· Military: 5 Reasons Veterans Are Especially Hard-Hit by Federal Cuts
· Huffpost: Trump Cuts At VA ‘Incredibly Disrespectful’ To Veterans
· Rolling Stone: Mass Layoffs at the Veterans Administration to Begin in June
· Daily Koss: Trump wants to make it harder for veterans to get health care
· Steve Early: “We’ve Been Betrayed!”: Who’s Fighting Back (and not) Against Trump’s Cuts in VA Jobs and Services
VA research benefits all Americans but funding is being cut causing some veterans to lose ALS, MS and cancer care.
· Military: VA Research on Cancer, Suicide Prevention, Toxic Exposure at Risk from Federal Hiring Freeze
· American Prospect (Suzanne Gordon): VA Research Funding Slashed
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:
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:
- 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).
