Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Dr. David J. Shulkin, M.D.

Wharton Health Care

Business Conference
February 23, 2018
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 Our Mission
“ To care for him who shall
have borne the battle, and
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for his widow and his TO EDIT MASTER
orphan.” INTRO Abraham
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Lincoln, 1865
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To care for those who have “borne the
battle,” and for their families
and survivors.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 Vision
MEETING VETERANS WHERE THEY ARE.
Foundational benefits and services that promote independence and success
throughout a Veteran’s life journey.
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Caring for Veterans. It’s personal. While we’re rebuilding Veterans’ confidence
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and trust in VA, we’re TITLE
also building a modern, adaptable, and sustainable VA for
a changing world. A modern VA offers Veterans choices in accessing flexible,
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tailorable, foundational benefits and services that suit their lifestyle, wherever
they are on their life journey. It meets Veterans’ needs with an integrated
system reaching across VA and out to communities and our
partners. From educational benefits to home loans to holistic
and specialty health care to a dignified place for final rest, it’s
simple, understandable choices for Veterans who are setting
and achieving goals for independence and success.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 An Aging Veteran Population
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Number of Living Veterans by Age Groups, 1975-2030

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15

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Millions

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0
1975 1981 1987 1993 2000 2005 2011 2017 2023 2030

<35 35-54 55-64 65+

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 Veterans Receiving Compensation

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 Average Degree of Disability

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 5 Priorities
GREATER CHOICE
VA is committed to ensuring Veterans can make decisions that work best for
them and their families.
IMPROVE TIMELINESS
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Veterans must receive TOcare,
the benefits, EDIT MASTER
and services they need in a timely
manner, no matter where they are.
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MODERNIZE SYSTEMS
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Veterans and VA employees need systems and technology that enable them
to deliver the high-quality care and services Veterans deserve.
FOCUS RESOURCES
Veterans and taxpayers deserve to know VA resources are spent on the care
and services Veterans need most.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
Suicide prevention is VA’s highest clinical priority. Suicide is a national health
crisis requiring all of Government and public-private partnerships to help.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 2017 Accomplishments
• Established the Veterans’ Family, Caregiver, & Survivor Advisory
Committee: Chairwoman, Senator Dole
• Fulfilled POTUS’s commitment to a 24/7 WH Veterans Hotline;
operational & making a difference
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• Passed legislation to expand the GI Bill & introduced the Veteran
C.A.R.E. Bill INTRO TITLE
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• Extended mental health care to Veterans with Other Than Honorable
(OTH) discharges
• Introduced a national I.D. Card for Veterans
• Veteran “Trust” Scores rose from a low of 46% in 2014 to 70%

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 1. Greater Choice

Decisions for Veterans

based on clinical criteria,
not administrative rules.

Veterans speak with their feet. VA grows and competes.

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 Veteran C.A.R.E.
̶Fully integrated, interoperable, operationally efficient, health
care system that’s easy for Veterans, employees, and community
partners to navigate.
̶Full spectrum of CLICK TOthat
care for Veterans EDIT MASTER
capitalizes on our
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foundational services, delivering on our promise to provide
world-class services.
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̶A consistent, seamless experience for Veterans at every VA
facility across the country.
̶A national network of modern facilities that meet changing
needs of Veterans locally.
̶Simple, convenient, choice for eligible Veterans among a network
of high quality community care providers in a single, consolidated
program.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

2. Modernizing Our Systems
 Promoting Consistency in Best Practices

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Excellence
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Initiative

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 Modernizing Our Facilities

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• New Leases
• Private-Public Partnership — Omaha Palo Alto

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 Improving our Infrastructure

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 VAFacilities
VA FacilitiesInfrastructure
Infrastructure

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3. Improving Timeliness of Services
Same-Day Services
Same-Day Healthcare Services and Other Options at VA Facilities

96% of appointments are now

completed within 30 days of the
Veteran’s preferred date
85% are within 7 days
22% are same-day appointments
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 Transparency of Access

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 VA Telehealth

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

4. Focus Resources More Efficiently
PTSD
PTSD

TBI
TBI

Prosthetics
Prosthetics SCI
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 Transparency of Quality

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

CAREGIVER
MOON SHOT

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5. Suicide Prevention

2001-2014
 “I’m Good.”

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Thank You