VA Study Shows Mental Health Patients Struggle More With Community Care

A recent study conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs reveals that veterans suffering from mental health conditions express lower satisfaction levels with private-sector care when compared to their counterparts. This finding raises significant concerns regarding the quality of service provided to vulnerable populations under the Mission Act.

A recent study, published on May 21 in JAMA Network Open, analyzed surveys from more than 231,000 veterans who utilized VA-funded private medical services between 2016 and 2021. Individuals with mental health diagnoses reported consistently lower ratings across nine categories, which encompass communication, appointment scheduling, and the overall quality of care.

“This is a call to enhance care coordination universally,” stated Eric Roberts, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Recent findings indicate that although there has been a modest improvement in satisfaction with private care, veterans facing mental health challenges continue to report significantly lower levels of satisfaction. The findings align with previous studies indicating comparable dissatisfaction among VA facilities, highlighting widespread systemic challenges in addressing the needs of this population.

The recent study emerges alongside the Department of Veterans Affairs' expansion of community care initiatives under the 2018 Mission Act, enabling veterans to pursue private medical services when access to VA facilities is restricted. Experts caution that fragmented care, characterized by limited access to integrated records, could lead to deteriorating health outcomes.

On May 15, VA Secretary Doug Collins informed lawmakers that previous administrations had dissuaded community care referrals, even as the demand among veterans continued to rise. The recent decision to reallocate $343 million to private care programs has sparked bipartisan criticism due to the absence of congressional approval.

Experts and VA medical professionals caution that the expansion of private care, if not accompanied by enhanced oversight and coordination, may pose risks to veterans, especially those facing intricate mental health challenges.

Collins emphasized the importance of the VA guaranteeing that community care adheres to the same high standards as its internal system. “Veterans are entitled to nothing short of excellence.”

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