Author(s) :

Daniel Park.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Veteran healthcare in America exposes the disparity between policy change and lived experience. Though promising legislation like the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (2014), VA MISSION Act (2018), and Honoring Our PACT Act (2022) were proposed, implementation of these reforms has been inconsistent. This paper examines the structural, logistical, and social barriers that still complicate providing equitable care to millions of veterans. Despite the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operating one of the largest healthcare systems in the United States, veteran patients— especially those in rural areas, minorities, or those with complex mental health or disability needs— often experience delayed appointment access as increased unidentified staff shortages plague care coordination across care networks. The Government Accountability Office has drawn attention to numerous inconsistencies and deficiencies in these facets identified in oversight reports. The inclusion of geographic and racial inequities alongside systemic ambiguity when federally funded programs overlap demonstrates how these issues significantly complicate access to care. These reports have exposed the consequences of missed and inconsistent treatment. Although reforms have increased eligibility and somewhat improved treatment outcomes, they have equally worsened disparities within an already under-resourced system. This paper argues that true progress is not solely through policy but through aligning legislative ambition with effective implementation: attention to recruitment of providers, enforcement of oversight, and the establishment of a culturally competent veteran-centered healthcare system to help veterans serve as advocates for themselves. Ultimately, bridging the gap between policy and practice will deliver the healthcare our nation’s veterans deserve.