Task force says VA is underfunded

VFW Magazine, Sept, 2002

A presidential task force studying ways the VA and Defense Department health care systems can coordinate duties and save costs announced in an interim report in July that VA is underfunded.

"The bottom line is that at current funding levels, VA is not meeting the health care demands of the enrolled veteran population," said former Arkansas representative John Paul Hammerschmidt, co-chairman of the 15-member President's Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery for Our Nation's Veterans. Bob Wallace, executive director of VFW's Washington Office, also is a task force member.

The task force also noted that the two departments' secretaries must be held accountable for performance, computer systems must be interoperable and pharmaceutical costs could be reduced with more collaboration. The task force will issue its final report in March 2003.

"The final report must be a clear `call to action' leading to a health care system that provides a seamless transition from active duty to civilian status." said Dr. Gail Wilensky, task force co-chairwoman.