Veterans Affairs News and Research

RSS

Senators reach bipartisan deal to fix VA

The agreement, announced Thursday by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., gives authority to the acting VA chief to fire senior officials and to allow veterans who have experienced long waits or who live further than 40 miles from a VA facility to seek care elsewhere. If passed by both houses, the bill would also authorize VA to spend $500 million hiring new doctors and nurses.

6 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 6, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about the Senate confirmation of Sylvia Mathews Burwell to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

6 Jun 2014

Researchers map transmission network of human immunodeficiency virus in San Diego

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have mapped the transmission network of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in San Diego.

6 Jun 2014

New report focuses attention on wait times at El Paso VA facility

The document, which was commissioned by Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, found wait times as long as 71 days for veterans who sought mental health treatment at the facility. This finding was very different from official statistics.

6 Jun 2014

House GOP leaders press White House on veterans' health care scandal

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, is pushing President Barack Obama to do more while some senators are attempting to develop a bipartisan bill that would address delays in the delivery of health care for military veterans.

6 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 5, 2014

Today's headlines include the latest developments regarding congressional action on the veterans' health care scandal as well as reports about the latest Medicaid enrollment figures in the context of the health law.

5 Jun 2014

Viewpoints: VA's lessons for private health care; court should protect abortion clinic buffers

This is the full quote from ... former neurosurgeon Ben Carson: "What's happening with the veterans is a gift from God to show us what happens when you take layers and layers of bureaucracy and place them between the patients and the healthcare provider."

5 Jun 2014

5-question screening tool can help clinicians identify which veterans may be at risk of violence

A new brief, 5-question screening tool can help clinicians identify which veterans may be at greater risk of violence, according to a new study led by a UNC researcher.

5 Jun 2014

Non-obstructive coronary artery disease linked with 28 to 44% increased risk of major heart attack

Non-obstructive coronary artery disease was associated with a 28 to 44 percent increased risk of a major adverse cardiac event such as a heart attack or death, in a new study presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research 2014 Scientific Sessions.

5 Jun 2014

Congress wrestles with best way to solve VA problems

Lawmakers ponder whether to expand the system or just give veterans more opportunities to opt into private health care at federal expense. Some analysts say, though, that any fixes could be held up in the Senate by election year bickering.

5 Jun 2014

Cleveland clinic chief considered for VA post

Delos "Toby" Cosgrove, the top executive of one of the nation's most prestigious hospital systems and also a decorated Vietnam veteran, is being considered by the White House, reports The Wall Street Journal.

5 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 4, 2014

Today's headlines include a story about the costs some states will face in attempting to fix their online insurance marketplace.

4 Jun 2014

Leidos Holdings revenues decrease $1.32B to 17% in first quarter FY 2015

Leidos Holdings, Inc., a national security, health and engineering solutions company, today reported financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, which ended May 2, 2014.

4 Jun 2014

Senate Democrats, House Republicans spar over best way to fix VA health system

In the meantime, younger veterans groups call for swift action and new priorities in the revamping of the agency, and Americans' confidence in the VA plummets, according to a new poll.

4 Jun 2014

Big differences in VA care quality

Sloan Gibson, the acting head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, pledged to end delays in care for veterans Monday.

3 Jun 2014

Commentary on VA shake-up:Inadequate performance measures; Congress must do its part; similarities to Medicare

Media outlets offer opinions on Gen. Eric Shinseki's departure from the Department of Veterans Affairs and efforts to fix problems in that system.

3 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 3, 2014

Today's headlines include coverage of Medicare data released Monday indicating that 2012 charges for some common inpatient hospital procedures dramatically increased over the previous year.

From Medtronic 3 Jun 2014

Sanders details plan to overhaul veterans health care

On Sunday, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., unveiled legislation, called the Restoring Veterans' Trust Act, which is designed to smooth out the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs by -- among other changes -- making it easier for veterans to see outside providers if care isn't available within 30 days.

3 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 2, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about state health law implementation activities as well as the next steps regarding the difficulties at the VA health system.

2 Jun 2014

VA Chief Shinseki vows changes Amid calls for his ouster

One day after a preliminary Inspector General report confirmed secret waiting lists at a Phoenix veterans hospital, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki pledged to keep VA hospitals open nights and weekends if necessary to see veterans who have been unable to get care.

31 May 2014