A new nationwide survey conducted by Mission Roll Call suggests that most veterans believe the Department of Veterans Affairs is improving, even as concerns about staffing and continuity of care persist. The survey, which included more than 2,200 veterans, found that 81.7 percent of respondents said VA’s overall performance is either improving or holding steady. The survey also found that 77.8 percent said transparency has improved or remained consistent over the past year.
Mission Roll Call CEO Jim Whaley, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, said in an interview that those numbers reflect real progress, particularly in how the VA communicates with veterans and responds to feedback.
“I think some of the things the VA is doing to address these issues are getting recognized by the veteran population,” Whaley said. “There’s still a lot of work to be done. But they’re on the right path.”
The findings indicate veterans are recognizing progress in areas such as communication, access, and overall system direction, even if their individual experiences vary.
Staffing Concerns Continue to Affect Care
Despite those positive indicators, the survey highlights a persistent structural issue: staffing. About 22 percent of respondents reported worsening conditions tied to turnover and inconsistent care, while 46 percent said staffing levels have remained unchanged.
These concerns align with federal oversight findings showing widespread staffing shortages across Veterans Health Administration facilities, particularly among physicians and nurses.
The VA Office of Inspector General has reported that facilities across the system continue to identify severe occupational staffing shortages that affect access to care and continuity for patients.
The issue carries significant weight because a majority of veterans rely heavily on the VA system. The Mission Roll Call survey found that 73 percent of respondents use the VA as their primary source of health care, meaning staffing instability can have broad effects across the veteran population.
Continuity of care is widely recognized as a critical factor in patient outcomes. Research shows that consistent provider relationships are associated with better management of chronic conditions and lower hospitalization rates, while disruptions can lead to fragmented care.
Hiring Delays and Workforce Competition
Staffing challenges at the VA are influenced in part by the federal hiring process, which involves multiple layers of credentialing and approval that can slow recruitment compared to private-sector systems.
At the same time, the VA is competing with private hospitals and health systems for a limited pool of medical professionals, as workforce shortages persist across the broader health care sector.
VA does offer benefits such as loan repayment programs, retirement plans, and education assistance for health care workers, though differences in training access and workplace flexibility may influence retention decisions.
Access Improvements and Ongoing Gaps
Survey findings suggest access to care has improved in certain areas, particularly for primary care services, reflecting broader policy changes aimed at expanding options for veterans. Programs allowing veterans to seek care outside VA facilities when necessary have helped reduce wait times and improve access in some cases.
Whaley said those improvements are most visible in routine care, but added that delays remain when veterans need specialty services.
“I think the VA does a really good job when you’re asking for an appointment with a primary care physician,” he said. “The challenge is anytime you need specialty care.”
Access to specialty care remains a challenge, with longer wait times and provider shortages continuing to affect patient experiences.
Geographic disparities also persist, particularly in rural areas where access to providers and infrastructure is more limited.
Funding And System Expansion
The federal government has continued to increase investment in the VA, with the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget totaling approximately $488.2 billion, reflecting a significant increase over prior years. That funding is intended to expand services, improve infrastructure, and address gaps in care delivery across the system.
From Stability to Excellence
While the survey points to measurable progress, it also highlights the gap between stability and excellence within the VA system. Veterans appear to recognize improvements at the institutional level, but staffing shortages, specialty care delays, and system complexity continue to affect individual experiences.
Whaley said closing that gap will require sustained attention to both access and system navigation, particularly for veterans entering the system for the first time.
“It should be easier for veterans to understand the process,” he said. “They shouldn’t have to go through multiple organizations just to figure out how to access their benefits.”
Bridging that gap will likely require sustained investment, faster hiring processes, and targeted strategies to improve workforce retention, particularly in high-demand specialties and underserved regions.
For now, the data present a system in transition and gaining trust overall, while still confronting structural challenges that directly affect care on the ground.
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