This chapter is about care for people who served. It wants it easier for them to see a doctor outside the VA. It wants claims for injury pay decided faster. It also wants a fresh look at how those payments are set.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 645 in the PDF
What the document says
“the next Administration should rapidly and explicitly codify VA MISSION Act access standards in legislation”
The access standards determine when a veteran may use a private provider rather than a VA facility, based on how far away and how long a wait the VA offers. The chapter conditions this on the makeup of Congress being favorable in 2025, and says the purpose is to prevent the department avoiding or watering down the requirements in future.
What the document actually says
“the next Administration should rapidly and explicitly codify VA MISSION Act access standards in legislation”
That sentence, in plain words
Put the rules for using outside doctors into law. Do it quickly.
What this is about
A veteran can sometimes see a doctor outside the VA. Rules set when that is allowed. The book says those rules should be written into law.
The document says “should”Who acts: VAHow: internal managementp. 645 in the PDF
What the document says
“To strengthen Community Care, the next Administration should create new”
Community Care is the program under which the department pays for a veteran to be treated by a provider outside its own facilities. The chapter treats strengthening it as a central aim, alongside codifying the access standards that govern eligibility.
What the document actually says
“To strengthen Community Care, the next Administration should create new”
That sentence, in plain words
Make it easier for veterans to get care outside the VA.
What this is about
The VA runs its own hospitals. It can also pay for care elsewhere. The book wants more of that outside care.
The document says “should”Who acts: VA, OMBHow: regulationp. 650 in the PDF
What the document says
“The next Administration should explore how VASRD reviews could be accelerated with clearance from OMB to target significant cost savings from revising disability rating awards”
The Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities determines what percentage disability, and therefore what payment, a condition attracts. The chapter says the revision would target savings from future claimants while preserving awards fully or partially for existing claimants.
What the document actually says
“The next Administration should explore how VASRD reviews could be accelerated with clearance from OMB to target significant cost savings from revising disability rating awards”
That sentence, in plain words
Speed up the review of how disabilities are rated. Aim to save money on future claims.
What this is about
A schedule sets how much each injury pays. The book wants it reviewed faster. It says future claims could pay less. People already receiving it would be protected.
The document says “must”Who acts: VAHow: internal managementp. 649 in the PDF
What the document says
“The VA must improve timeliness of claim adjudication and benefits delivery”
The chapter says the disability claims process needs more management attention on streamlining procedures, and that veterans want timely responses, empathetic service and understandable explanations, delivered in weeks rather than months.
What the document actually says
“The VA must improve timeliness of claim adjudication and benefits delivery”
That sentence, in plain words
The VA must decide claims faster. It must pay benefits faster too.
What this is about
A veteran files a claim for injury payments. It can take months to decide. The book says it should take weeks.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 647 in the PDF
What the document says
“authority should be given to reappoint this individual for a second five-year term”
The chapter frames this as allowing continuity and protecting the post from political transition. The Under Secretary for Health runs the department's hospital system.
What the document actually says
“authority should be given to reappoint this individual for a second five-year term”
That sentence, in plain words
Let this person be reappointed. A second five-year term should be allowed.
What this is about
One official runs all the VA hospitals. The job lasts five years. The book says the person should be able to serve a second term.
The document says “should”Who acts: OPM, White HouseHow: internal managementp. 652 in the PDF
What the document says
“Personnel Management should be engaged on ways to provide authorities for a higher number of non-career PA positions.”
The chapter says the White House personnel office can be inclined to discount the department's importance, but that given the political attention it generates it should understand the importance of finding talented political appointees to serve there.
What the document actually says
“Personnel Management should be engaged on ways to provide authorities for a higher number of non-career PA positions.”
That sentence, in plain words
Work with the personnel agency. Get more posts that political staff can fill.
What this is about
Most VA jobs are career jobs. A few are filled by the president's own picks. The book wants more of those.
Recommendations on community care, the MISSION Act access standards, aging infrastructure, the disability claims process, the disability rating schedule, information technology and staffing.
The chapter's account of the department's history and its detailed management observations about individual offices.
Several proposals here are conditional on the makeup of Congress, which the chapter says plainly. The modality field records the conditional form where the chapter uses one.
