Assessing the capacity of Michigan health providers to care for older veterans
In recent years, the VA has sought to increase access to community-based health care for veterans enrolled in the VA health system. Most recently, the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018 established the Veterans Community Care Program, which is intended to consolidate and expand existing VA community care programs (including the Veterans Choice Program) in 2019. This will expand care for those who live far away from a VA medical facility or who are unable to obtain services at their local VA medical facility within a specified time period. With an aging veteran population that is increasingly seeking care outside the VA, community-based providers in Michigan and across the nation must be prepared to meet the unique health needs of these individuals and respond to increased demand for community-based health care services in the future.
CHRT is assessing the readiness and capacity of Michigan’s primary and specialty care providers to serve U.S. veterans age 55 and older with high-quality care, particularly in treating and managing conditions specific to veterans–PTSD, toxin exposure, and other service-related conditions–by conducting background research on the older veteran population in Michigan, developing and administering an online survey of a broad range of health care providers, and reporting findings and recommendations to policymakers, health care providers, and the public.