The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), under the leadership of Dr. Shereef Elnahal, has garnered increasing recognition for its superior performance in patient care and safety outcomes. Recent data from a nationwide Medicare survey has revealed that Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals are outperforming their private sector counterparts in multiple key areas, a testament to the leadership and strategic direction that Dr. Elnahal has implemented during his tenure as Under Secretary for Health at the VA.
The survey, known as the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), was conducted to measure patient satisfaction across hospitals nationwide. The results were striking in all 10 categories measured; VA hospitals were rated higher by veterans than private healthcare facilities. This achievement not only underscores the quality of care delivered at VA hospitals but also highlights the commitment of Shereef Elnahal, MD, to ensuring that veterans receive top-tier medical services in the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system.
Shereef Elnahal MD’s leadership at the VA has been marked by a steadfast focus on improving the quality of care, patient safety, and overall patient experience. In his words, "I strongly believe that the VA is the best option for veteran care. Study after study shows that quality and patient safety is at least as good, if not better, than our private sector counterparts." This is no small statement in light of the challenges that have faced the VA in recent years, including growing competition from the private sector.
At a time when Congress has expanded the VA’s use of private care as an option for veterans who face long wait times or live far from VA facilities, the need for the VA to demonstrate its competitiveness has never been more important. Private care is far more expensive for the VA, making it crucial for the organization to continue offering high-quality services within its own network. Elnahal’s tenure has focused on this very goal—ensuring that veterans receive the care they deserve while maintaining cost-effective operations.
The VA’s vast network includes over 1,300 healthcare facilities, serving approximately 9 million veterans across the United States. Under Shereef Elnahal MD, this network has seen significant improvements in patient satisfaction, care delivery, and operational efficiency. The HCAHPS survey results showed that VA hospitals outperformed private hospitals in critical areas such as:
"This offers among the first opportunities to directly compare us with our private sector counterparts, and we're really happy with the results," said Elnahal, in response to the survey findings. "But we won’t be content until 100% of hospitals are pinging in the right ratings."
Under Shereef Elnahal’s leadership, the VA has made remarkable strides in reducing wait times for appointments, even as demand for its services reaches record levels. Despite an 11% increase in patient appointments last year, including a 13% rise in mental health appointments for new patients, the VA managed to decrease wait times by 11% for primary care and 7% for mental health services. The average wait time for scheduling a mental health appointment is now 17 days, well within the VA's access standard of 20 days. Dr. Elnahal noted, "We’re really proud of our mental health access picture. I challenge any other health care system, frankly, to see what their wait times are compared to this."
While the VA has demonstrated remarkable success in patient satisfaction and quality outcomes, it continues to face pressure from some members of Congress who advocate for increased use of private care. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mike Bost, for example, has expressed frustration with what he perceives as denial of community care for veterans who need timely services outside the VA network. However, VA community care has grown significantly over the last several years.
Despite these challenges, Shereef Elnahal, MD, remains committed to improving VA care and expanding access to veterans who need it most. His focus on transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement has helped the VA maintain its status as a leader in healthcare delivery for veterans. The HCAHPS survey results further reinforce the idea that the VA, under his leadership, is not only competitive with private hospitals but often surpasses them in key areas of patient care.
As the VA moves forward, Dr. Elnahal’s vision is clear: to ensure that every veteran receives the highest standard of care possible and that the VA continues to lead the way in healthcare innovation, patient safety, and satisfaction. With a focus on continuous improvement, the VA is well-positioned to further enhance its reputation as a premier healthcare provider.
Under Dr. Elnahal, the VA’s success in outperforming private sector hospitals is a significant milestone, but it is only the beginning of his broader mission. Veterans across the country continue to benefit from the improvements he has championed, and the healthcare landscape is taking note of the VA’s growing leadership in delivering superior patient care.
