VA Breaks Health Care Records for Serving Veterans in 2024

In fiscal year 2024, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) delivered record-breaking care and benefits to veterans, including more than 127.5 million health care appointments supported by the PACT Act. 

“These outcomes for the nation’s Veterans build on continued efforts by VA and the Biden-Harris Administration’s Unity Agenda to expand and improve care and benefits for those who served, much of which has been made possible by the PACT Act—the largest expansion of VA health care and benefits in generations,” the VA stated in a press release. 

The VA delivered over 127.5 million health care appointments, showing a 6% increase from the previous year. Wait times also decreased, and intendent reviews showed that VA health care received higher patient satisfaction and care quality ratings than non-VA care. More women veterans are enrolled in the VA health care system than ever before, with 52 130 women veterans enrolled in VA health care in fiscal year 2024. 

The VA supported over 50 000 Veterans in acute suicidal crises with no-cost emergency health care, and the Veterans Crisis Line received over 1.1 million calls, texts, and chats, surpassing last year by 12%.
Since the implementation of the PACT Act, over 796 000 Veterans have enrolled in VA health care, a substantial 37% increase. Additionally, there was a 29.8% increase in disability compensation claims, and over 913 000 Veterans upgraded their priority groups for reduced copays. This outreach campaign is the largest in VA history and aims to ensure veterans are aware of and benefit from the health care and benefits available to them.

Other key actions in 2024 included expanding eligibility for VA health care to toxin-exposed veterans earlier than mandated, increasing access to care nationwide through Access Sprints, adding night and weekend clinics, and scheduling more veterans for daily clinic appointments. Wait times were reduced for primary and mental health care appointments, copays were eliminated for mental health and substance use disorder visits, and access to cancer care and genetic testing was improved. In addition, in vitro fertilization (IVF) access was expanded for eligible veterans, care was improved for former service members with other-than-honorable discharges, and the VA launched tele-emergency care for veterans across the country.

“Moving forward, VA will continue to aggressively reach out to and engage Veterans to encourage them to come to VA for the care and benefits they have earned,” the VA stated in a press release. 

Reference
VA delivered all-time record care and benefits to Veterans in fiscal year 2024. News release. VA.gov. October 29, 2024. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-delivered-all-time-record-care-and-benefits-to-veterans-in-fiscal-year-2024/