VA Patient Trust Scores Edge Higher, But Not at Levels Trump Claims

Former President Donald Trump asserted this week that patient trust scores in the Department of Veterans Affairs have increased significantly during his administration. Yet, federal data indicate more moderate and consistent improvements.

During an event in the Oval Office on Monday with military families, Trump commended VA Secretary Doug Collins, noting that the agency has achieved a “93% approval rating.” He further claimed that the confidence of veterans in the VA dropped to levels in the “20s and 30s” during Biden's presidency.

“We had an excellent first term, and it was quite similar to that,” Trump stated. "And then the current administration took over, causing the confidence to drop into the 30s and 20s." At one point, it dropped to 28% or 29%, which is quite concerning … However, you have truly astonished everyone, Doug.

The data from the VA does not corroborate that account. Department surveys indicate that satisfaction rates with VA medical care hit 92.8% at the beginning of August, marking the highest level since the survey commenced in March 2023. However, the number had steadily climbed from 90.4% that spring, reflecting consistent month-to-month growth throughout both administrations.

The comprehensive VA trust survey, conducted quarterly since 2016, yields comparable findings. At the beginning of Trump's presidency, approximately 55% of veterans expressed confidence in the VA's ability to carry out its mission. The figure reached almost 79% by the end of 2020. Throughout Biden’s time in office, the trust score remained consistently between 78% and 81%, significantly higher than the 28% figure referenced by Trump. The latest information indicates a figure of 79.2%, which is a slight decrease compared to the same time last year.

The VA conducts an annual assessment of outpatient satisfaction. In 2017, during Trump's initial term, 85% of patients reported satisfaction with their care. By the conclusion of his term, that figure had increased to 89.1%. The latest survey, conducted during the previous fiscal year, indicates that the rate has risen to 92%.

Trump credited the recent advancements to his administration's reintroduction of programs focused on “choice and accountability” for veterans. Some critics contend that the impact of those reforms has been exaggerated, whereas Republicans have recently pushed forward legislation that broadens private care alternatives.

During the event on Monday, Collins highlighted several key metrics, including a 40% decrease in the backlog of disability claims since January. The backlog, which expanded following the enactment of the PACT Act in 2022, has been steadily decreasing for over two years.

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