Noteboom The Law Firm

Secretary Shinseki Gives Update on Long-Term VA Goals

April 1, 2011 - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Sec. Eric Shinseki described the VA as a "large organization" and as such, has a "diverse and complex mission." Accordingly, the VA has many successes and many problems. Sec. Shinseki celebrated the progress they made in eliminating some of the homelessness among veterans and at the same time acknowledging the work that still has to be done with:

• Patient care;
• The VA budget; and
• The disability claim backlog.

Since Sec. Shinseki took office in 2009, the number of veterans utilizing VA health care has jumped by almost 800,000. There are currently 8.4 million veterans receiving VA health care and by 2012 that number is expected to reach 8.6 million with no sign of slowing. As the need increases, the VA's budget will need to increase accordingly. Both the need and the necessary budget will continue to grow for many years after the last American soldiers returns home. Out of President Obama's proposed VA budget of $132 billion, medical care will consume $53.9 billion.

As the VA has discovered, adding more claims processors will not help them get out from under the huge disability claims backlog they are facing. Sec. Shinseki believes the answer is technology, i.e., automating the claims process. He pointed to many pilot programs showing early successes across the nation.

Sec. Shinseki also celebrated the VA's efforts in combating homelessness among veterans. He claimed there are approximately 50% less veterans on the streets than there were 2 years ago. Ultimately, Sec. Shinseki plans on completely eliminating homelessness among veterans by 2015. To help accomplish that goal, he spoke of tentative plans to turn VA owned vacant buildings into transitional housing for homeless veterans and their families. The VA is so large because it needs to be so large. There are millions of veterans in need and the VA is there to fulfill those needs.