The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a significant advancement in providing accessible Health care to veterans across the nation through VA’s Access Sprints initiative. This initiative aims to expand access to care by offering night and weekend clinics, increasing daily clinic schedules, and more. As a result of these efforts, VA has seen a substantial increase in new patient appointments, with approximately 25,000 more new patients from October 2023 to February 2024 compared to the previous year.
Statistics show that 81% of VA medical centers have seen an increase in new patients, with a 12% reduction in wait times for appointments. Additionally, VA health care has been proven to deliver better health outcomes and is often more affordable for veterans compared to non-VA health care options.
VA Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, expressed pride in the workforce’s commitment to expanding access to VA care, emphasizing the importance of providing top-notch care to veterans when and where they need it. The VA has set a record for the number of health care appointments provided in 2023, demonstrating their dedication to serving veterans.
In conjunction with efforts to expand health care eligibility under the PACT Act, VA is now providing direct enrollment in VA health care for veterans exposed to toxins during their military service. This initiative is part of a nationwide VA Access Sprint to ensure all eligible veterans have access to quality care.
The increase in access is made possible by last year’s record hiring in the Veterans Health Administration, which has led to increased capacity and efficiency in delivering care to veterans. VA’s commitment to providing timely and quality care to veterans is evident in their ongoing initiatives to improve employee experience and enhance care delivery.
For more information on VA care, visit VA’s health care website. Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in VA health care to support our nation’s heroes.
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