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Chartin
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a New Direction…
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Profound changes have occurred in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system and even more change is expected as we continue to enhance quality, increase access, improve service satisfaction and optimize patient functioning. The Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) transformation has led to a coordinated continuum of care and a system characterized by achievement of performance outcomes that improve services to veterans. For all 18 key health care indicators, from diabetes care to cancer screening and immunizations, we have exceeded the performance of private sector and Medicare providers.
We will continue to develop our national, integrated health care delivery system. The future system will require VHA components to function together and in concert with public and private health care facilities to meet the health care needs of the enrolled veteran population and to minimize duplication of services. As we chart a new direction, this system will continue to promote efficiency, assure high quality care, and provide optimal access for the veteran population. We will achieve a level of quality and access that sets a national standard of excellence for the health care industry.
VHA Vision 2020 describes our achievements and discusses the key strategies that will enable us to continue to provide comprehensive, first-class health care to the nation’s veterans and achieve our goals for research, education and emergency preparedness in the coming years.
Robert H. Roswell, M.D. Under Secretary for Health
Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration ii
