IAVA Unveils Initiative to Transform VA Healthcare for Veterans

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) has launched a significant initiative aimed at modernizing the healthcare system of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This effort, spearheaded by a blue-ribbon commission, focuses on enhancing care for a new generation of veterans, addressing critical issues such as toxic exposure, opioid-free pain management, and improving data and care coordination.

Dr. David Shulkin, a former Secretary of the VA and current IAVA board member, will chair the commission. Recruitment for the commission is ongoing and will include experts beyond the IAVA, as well as representatives from other veterans’ service organizations. The ultimate goal of this undertaking is to present Congress with a comprehensive set of recommendations designed to elevate VA healthcare for veterans.

Mike Bost, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, emphasized the importance of advancing VA healthcare to ensure veterans receive “the best, modern care that meets their individual healthcare needs.” He highlighted that approximately 1.75 million veterans are currently enrolled in Medicaid, while hundreds of thousands depend on subsidies from the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Dr. Shulkin noted the impending changes in January 2024 regarding Medicaid eligibility requirements and the potential loss of ACA subsidies. He warned that an estimated 200,000 veterans could become uninsured as a result. “Where are they going to go for their health insurance? The VA. And so, the VA is going to become increasingly important to honor our commitment to our country’s veterans,” he stated.

As the number of veterans relying on the VA is projected to increase, Shulkin and IAVA are committed to ensuring these individuals receive contemporary and adequate care. “The healthcare system is changing unbelievably rapidly,” he explained. “Think about the technology, the new therapies that are coming on board, the use of artificial intelligence. If the VA itself doesn’t modernize and change with the changing needs, it’s going to become a system that’s less competitive.”

The initiative aims to make the VA the first healthcare system in the United States to adopt opioid-free methods for pain management. Additionally, it seeks to address the critical issue of toxic exposure, which has affected many veterans deployed near burn pits during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The long-term health consequences of these exposures can lead to serious illnesses, including cancers that may take years to manifest.

Shulkin reiterated the need for more VA locations to become centers of excellence for veterans seeking assistance with issues related to toxic exposure. “This has been a priority for a long time. We all know it. And the reason why we’ve highlighted this is because we’re simply not making the progress that all of us want to see,” he said. He attributed the slow progress not to a lack of effort or funding, noting that Congress has been generous, but rather to the complexities involved in addressing such intricate health issues.

The commission will also explore ways to enhance VA data transparency, the community care network, and payment systems. Shulkin expressed concern about the potential for creating “two standards of care,” where veterans receiving care through the VA might have different experiences compared to those seeking care in the community. “The care that’s coordinated and integrated within the VA, and then when a veteran goes into the community, they lose some of those safety nets. And care can be fragmented, care can be lost in the community,” he explained.

Ultimately, the needs and preferences of veterans will guide the modernization efforts. As the initiative unfolds, it reflects a dedicated commitment to improving the VA healthcare system in a way that aligns with the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery and veteran needs.