In the fabric of American values, the figure of a soldier stands not only as a beacon of courage on the battlefield but also embodies our nation’s solemn pledge to those who serve. Central to this covenant is the assurance of comprehensive and compassionate health care for our veterans upon their return home. However, the journey to fulfilling this promise is fraught with challenges within the intricate maze of the U.S. health care system. Veterans often encounter myriad obstacles in accessing the care they deserve. While the Department of Veterans Affairs strives valiantly to fulfill its mission, it faces significant hurdles in delivering the specialized care necessary to address returning service members’ complex physical and psychological needs. Being empathetic and understanding of the individual needs of all veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors is imperative to developing a positive and long-term relationship with VA.

Navigating the complex landscape of veteran health care

The VA Healthcare System was established out of an essential need to provide care tailored to the unique conditions experienced by those who have endured the trials of military service. Despite its critical role, the system is hampered by legacy issues, including bureaucratic inefficiencies, outdated infrastructure, and more. It is crucial to emphasize people, ideas, policies and priorities. This includes the priorities of the VA secretary, the VA undersecretary of health, the VHA Long Range Plan, and aligning with the VA strategic plan. For instance, should women’s health take precedence over dental care, considering the significant increase in women veterans enrolling in the last 2-3 years?

Another consideration is whether infrastructure should be a higher priority over community care, focusing on building what VA does best and outsourcing other services, as community care tends to be costly and can strain the VA budget and American tax dollars.

According to an article titled A Review of Military Health Research Using a Social Ecological Framework in the American Journal of Health Promotion, comparatively little research focuses on the family, community or institutional tiers. These systemic challenges manifest in various ways, such as extended wait times for appointments, overflowing urgent cares and emergency rooms, facilities that fall short of modern health care standards, and distressingly high rates of veteran suicide. These issues underscore the gaps within VA system, highlighting the struggle to adequately support the diverse and changing demographics of the veteran population.

The veteran community is a rich mosaic of individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, each with distinct experiences and health needs. This diversity requires a health support network that is robust, comprehensive, adaptable and attuned to the specific needs of each veteran. We view this as a need for evaluations in each state and territory. We see how access to care, assistance with claims, compensation of employees, and more significantly impact how veterans and families are serviced in all VA facilities and community hospitals. Policies impact staffing directly and indirectly, aiming to protect veterans during their medical care, uphold high clinical standards like accurate diagnosis and treatment, ensure equitable access to care regardless of background, and facilitate coordinated care across providers. To address these challenges presently and in the future, one solution is to leverage unmatched physicians from residency programs post-medical school in the VA Healthcare System. Collaboration with VA and other entities can help establish or support such initiatives.

A collaborative path forward

Recognizing the limitations of the VA system alone in meeting the full spectrum of veterans’ health care needs, there is a growing movement among nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups to supplement and enhance the support provided to our nation’s heroes. We believe that our organization, Military Veterans of America, stands out as a beacon of hope and empowerment for veterans and their families. This organization is dedicated to bridging the gap between the services available through VA and the unmet needs within the veteran community. Through education, advocacy, and direct support, Military Veterans of America endeavors to create a more inclusive and effective network of care that reaches every veteran in need.

Timely response is crucial, especially when veterans face tight deadlines like a week to secure housing, three days to rectify errors risking their driver’s license, or delays in addressing diagnosed cardiovascular concerns due to lost referrals. These situations can lead to adverse outcomes and reduced satisfaction. Our goal is to resolve such cases swiftly, preventing adverse events from happening. We are dedicated to supporting VA’s success by leveraging our expertise and team to prioritize efficiency and maintain high levels of patient satisfaction.

Efficient communication and teamwork are essential for both staff and veterans. Boosting employee morale consistently can enhance communication and collaboration, resulting in timely task fulfillment when engaging with veterans.

By fostering collaboration between the public sector, private entities and nonprofit organizations, we can construct a more holistic and responsive health care ecosystem for veterans. This integrated approach aims to address the immediate medical needs of veterans and support their overall well-being, including mental health, social reintegration, and access to educational and vocational opportunities.

While the challenges facing veteran health care are significant, the collective efforts of organizations like Military Veterans of America illuminate a path toward a more empathetic and efficient support system. By uniting in our commitment to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans, we can transform the vision of comprehensive, accessible and dignified health care into a reality. This holds particularly true as the veteran demographic ages, with a growing number of younger veterans joining VA as eligibility criteria widen.

Beyond the government mandate: The compassion consortium

In the realm of veteran care, a cluster of nonprofit organizations shines brightly, offering hope and transformative healing beyond federal obligations. Among these entities, Military Veterans of America stands out as a beacon of innovation and compassion, showcasing unwavering dedication to veterans’ and their families’ mental and physical well-being. This nonprofit sets itself apart by introducing pioneering strategies that focus on resilience, growth, and harnessing the inherent strengths of veterans. Moving away from conventional pathologizing approaches, Military Veterans of America reimagines rehabilitation, fostering a recovery culture rooted in empowerment and community assistance. Their initiatives, supported by robust research and a commitment to innovation, not only present a model for dynamic veteran support but also serve as a valuable insight into the evolving landscape of veteran care to meet changing needs effectively.

With a forward-looking perspective on health care evolution, the organization remains vigilant through continuous environmental monitoring and global market research, ensuring alignment with best practices for offering informed recommendations to national governing bodies and policymakers.

Navigating the minefields of advocacy

The mission of these nonprofits extends beyond the direct provision of health care services; it encompasses a broader, more daring pursuit of systemic advocacy. Through collective action —uniting the voices of veterans, caregivers and allies — organizations like Military Veterans of America champion policy reforms that reverberate through the corridors of power, from Capitol Hill to local communities. Communities are where veterans live following their military service and should ideally be the focal point for abundant resources and support.

Consider the impact of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, whose grassroots advocacy efforts have led to significant legislative victories, such as the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act. However, the journey toward comprehensive reform is ongoing. The landscape of veteran care is ever-evolving, and our commitment to advocacy must be unwavering. Achieving the systemic overhaul necessary to support our veterans fully demands more than incremental adjustments. This requires a fundamental rethinking of health care policies and practices at every level, ensuring that veterans receive adequate care and a pathway to dignified recovery.

Holistic care as the new standard of service

This narrative is not one of despair but a call to collective action for a paradigm shift in veteran health care. Equipped with knowledge and resources, we stand on the cusp of redefining the standard of care for our nation’s heroes. Our goal is a new gold standard that champions holistic wellness and recognizes the multifaceted nature of health.

Achieving this vision necessitates a partnership, creating a collaborative ecosystem where VA’s efforts are complemented and enhanced by a network of nonprofit organizations like Military Veterans of America alongside private health care providers. This symbiotic relationship doesn’t diminish VA’s role but enriches it, ensuring veterans receive the most comprehensive care possible.

MVoA serves as a pivotal patient advocate, stepping in to address the disengagement of veterans from VA, particularly when they fear losing benefits or hesitate to assert their rights. By standing independently outside the governmental structure, MVoA acts as a bridge, representing veterans’ interests and bringing their concerns to VA. This advocacy helps elevate patient satisfaction scores and promotes positive outcomes within the VA Healthcare System.

The discourse on veteran health care must transcend the boundaries of VA, embracing innovation, collaboration, and deep-seated gratitude for our veterans. As a nation, we are tasked with relentlessly pursuing a health care system that fully supports those who have sacrificed so much. The path forward demands the vigilance of nonprofits, the advocacy of veteran communities, a commitment to evidence-based practices, and an unwavering dedication to health care equality. Together, we can forge a future where no veteran is left behind.

The revitalization of our veteran health care system stands as a profound expression of our national ethos. It presents us with a unique opportunity to construct a care framework that reflects America’s unparalleled commitment to innovation and empathy. Central to this endeavor are nonprofit organizations, whose contributions are indispensable in bridging the gaps within the current system. These entities exemplify the spirit of collective responsibility and action, driving changes that address immediate health care needs and laying the groundwork for systemic improvements.

For veterans, the urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. The provision of health care services to these individuals is more than a mere obligation — it is a fundamental aspect of the covenant we hold with those who have served. This promise encompasses not just the absence of ailment but the full spectrum of well-being, recognizing the diverse and complex needs of the veteran population.

Thus, it is incumbent upon us to transcend mere conceptualization and move decisively toward the actualization of a superior model of veteran care. This requires a collaborative approach, leveraging the expertise and resources of both the public and private sectors alongside the invaluable insights of nonprofit organizations like Military Veterans of America. Through data-driven strategies, empathetic engagement with veterans and their families, and a relentless focus on systemic enhancement, we can forge a health care system that truly honors the sacrifices of our service members.

In the pursuit of comprehensive and compassionate health care for our veterans, a collective effort involving government entities, nonprofits, advocacy groups and the broader community is essential. By recognizing and addressing the challenges within the VA Healthcare System, advocating for policy reforms, and fostering innovative approaches, we can pave the way for a more empathetic and efficient support network for those who have served our nation. Through collaborative partnerships, data-driven strategies, and a commitment to holistic wellness, we can redefine the standard of care for our veterans, ensuring that no individual is left behind.

Together, we can transform the vision of dignified, accessible and comprehensive health care for our veterans into a tangible reality, embodying our nation’s unwavering gratitude and commitment to those who have sacrificed so much.

Ebrahim Barkoudah, MD, MPH, MBA, FACHE, FACP, serves as the executive health adviser to Military Veterans of America and holds roles as system chief and regional chief/medical quality officer at Baystate Health in Springfield, Mass. Andrew Vernon, MHA, M.Ed., is the founder and chief executive officer of Military Veterans of America. Alisa Andrews is an intern at Military Veterans of America and is pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Shenika Vilton, MD, is a senior vice president at Military Veterans of America.