“Dive Brief:
Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie this week asked the Senate Committee for Veterans Affairs for a funding increase of $4.6 billion in 2020 for the department’s community care program, which would put the VA medical care budget in 2020 at 9.6% over 2019.
The funding boost would go toward treatment for 7.1 million veterans and consolidating the community care program, which includes hiring 18,000 people, Wilkie said…”
“Dive Insight:
Wilkie has pushed back against accusations that the department is being privatized. He reiterated that sentiment in his request to the Senate committee.
The secretary has repeatedly cited recent studies that show VA care is getting better. A JAMA study written by VA-affiliated authors earlier this year found wait times for new patients at VA facilities have “significantly improved” and in some cases surpassed the private sector in terms of access…” Read the full article here.
Source: VA seeks billions more for controversial community care program – By Tony Abraham, March 27, 2019. Healthcare Dive.
