David Shulkin, a physician and former VA secretary, will serve as chairman of the “Modernization of Veterans Healthcare Project,” which has a goal to advocate for updates and reform at the VA. (Video screenshot)
WASHINGTON — A nonprofit group advocating for post-9/11 veterans is convening a group of stakeholders and experts to push the Department of Veterans Affairs to make improvements in critical areas of veterans health care that include toxic exposures, suicide prevention and pain management.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America said it will collect recommendations from clinicians, researchers, veterans and policymakers for the VA, as the agency confronts complex health problems facing newer generations of veterans and a rising demand for health services.
The veterans advocacy group announced the launch of the “Modernization of Veterans Healthcare Project” at a news conference Thursday at the National Press Club. The project will involve subject matter experts reviewing documents, data and anecdotal reports in key areas affecting veteran care.
The project initially will address seven VA program areas: opioid-free pain management; toxic exposure recognition and treatment; transparency in public reporting of VA performance data; community care; suicide prevention; Medicare; and VA centers of excellence for complex and specialized conditions.
David Shulkin, a former VA secretary and chairman of the modernization project, said the goal is for VA to undertake comprehensive reforms to better serve the health needs of veterans. The project is just getting underway, and the group is seeking subject matter experts as volunteers.
Shulkin was VA secretary under former President Barack Obama from 2015 to 2017. He served for a year under President Donald Trump, who was in his first term in office. Trump fired Shulkin in March 2018 with a post on Twitter, now called X.
VA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The project’s findings will be published as briefs and white papers that contain “actionable recommendations,” according to the veterans group. The information will be shared with Congress, veterans service organizations and the VA. A website with an online dashboard is planned so the public can view the reports.
Kyleanne Hunter, chief executive officer of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said the project will emphasize improving patient access, coordination of care and VA accountability.
Organizers said modernization is critical because demand for services by veterans continues to grow. More than 750,000 veterans enrolled in VA health care under the PACT Act, legislation that provided benefits to veterans exposed to toxins during active duty.
Medicaid changes recently adopted by Congress are likely to send more people to VA for their health care. The veterans group estimated 200,000 former service members could lose their Medicaid coverage under tighter requirements, which will be phased in starting in 2026.
“The health care system is changing unbelievably rapidly. If VA does not modernize it will become less competitive. We want VA to be there for decades,” Shulkin said.
