VA Health Nominee Bartrum Vows to Ease Access to Community and VA-Based Care

During his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Maj. Gen. John Bartrum, nominated to lead the Veterans Health Administration, committed to making it easier for veterans to access care, whether through the VA’s medical system or private sector providers.

Bartrum, who serves as an Air Force Reserve officer and is a senior adviser to VA Secretary Doug Collins, addressed the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, expressing his commitment to dismantling the bureaucratic obstacles that frequently hinder veterans from obtaining community-based health care.

“If veterans desire community care, we must enable them to access it,” Bartrum stated. “However, it is essential that individuals who choose VA care are guaranteed access to top-notch treatment without any interruptions.”

The comments arise during an escalating discussion regarding the future of VA care. Bartrum's nomination comes amid rising political friction regarding the extent to which the VA's healthcare duties ought to be outsourced. The department's proposed budget for 2026 allocates $34 billion for community care, an increase from $31 billion in 2024, representing 37% of the VA's medical services expenditures.

Democrats have raised concerns that the expansion might indicate a shift towards privatizing care for veterans. In contrast, Republicans contend that it is an essential measure to guarantee access for veterans in rural and underserved regions.

The 2018 Mission Act, implemented during the Trump administration, streamlined access to private healthcare options for veterans. However, detractors argue that the Biden administration has caused setbacks by mandating supervisor evaluations for private care referrals. A law enacted by former President Biden last December and implemented in May now prevents VA officials from reversing doctors’ referrals for external treatment.

Bartrum emphasized the latest changes in scheduling at the VA, noting that they have significantly increased the capacity for managing community care appointments each day. He said that additional efforts are necessary to improve the system's efficiency.

“Veterans shouldn’t have to navigate a maze of obstacles,” Bartrum stated.

Bartrum offers extensive expertise in public health and financial management, having held prominent positions at the NIH and OMB. A former enlisted airman, he served in Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, and was instrumental in the federal COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

A decision regarding his nomination may take place as early as this week.