Noteboom The Law Firm

Comparing VA Health Care To Private Care

October 20, 2010 - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care has long been the butt of many jokes, despite transforming its entire system around the mid-1990's. The media has certainly taken their share of shots at the quality of the VA's health care. As it stands, however, the VA health care system has established itself as a pioneering force. The VA has broken ground in adopting electronic medical records (EMRs) as well as their attempt to establish primary care teams revolving around patients' needs.

A recent investigation evaluated the VA health care system against non-VA care for various medical conditions to include surgery. Researchers compiled their findings by examining 55 separate articles that were published post-1990. They broke down as follows: 

• 17 articles focusing on surgical conditions; and
• 38 articles focusing on non-surgical and medical conditions.

Their conclusions were likely shocking to many people. With certain exceptions, VA health care systems measured very positively against non-VA systems. The VA outperformed private care when blood pressure or hemoglobin A1c were used for measurements of quality in processes of care. There did not seem to be any difference between the two health care systems when researchers evaluated risk-adjusted outcomes. The process of care studies focused mainly on medical conditions whereas studying outcomes focused mainly on surgical conditions and procedures used for intervention.

Comparing the individual studies, the VA fared better than non-VA health care systems. It seems, then, the VA may just have reduced the amount of times they will be used in a punch line.