The American Legion unveiled the results of a nationwide survey to amplify the voices of Veterans in light of the VA’s anticipated National Standards of Practice, or NSP.
This release comes shortly before an upcoming hearing on NSP by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs’ Health subcommittee.
The Federal Supremacy Initiative, designed to establish standardized national practice standards across more than 50 healthcare specialties within the VA, seeks to harmonize services provided by healthcare professionals, irrespective of state-specific licensure or certification. The objective is to ensure uniformity in patient care across the VA system.
While many healthcare specialties maintain consistent requirements nationwide, certain highly specialized professions exhibit significant variations from one state to another. The impending hearing will scrutinize the transparency of the initiative’s process and its potential impact on patient care.
The survey, conducted by Pierrepont Consulting & Analytics LLC, involved 1,400 Veterans surveyed between February and April of this year. It encompassed Veterans of all ages and branches of service.
Before the survey, The American Legion’s Resolution No. 20, approved in October 2022, stressed the importance of the VA aligning NSP providers’ licensure with state standards and prioritizing high-quality care for Veterans.
Although the VA is in the process of creating standards for 50 different healthcare occupations, the survey focused primarily on anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists due to the potential for debate in these areas. The survey uncovered a strong preference among Veterans for physicians over nurses in administering anesthesia care during surgery. Sixty-one percent of respondents favored physicians, with only 4% choosing nurse anesthetists.
Furthermore, the survey indicated that 52% of Veterans would seek healthcare outside the VA if their only option for anesthesia care were nurse anesthetists. Seventy-one percent of Veterans held the belief that the VA’s quality of care would undergo a transformation should nurse anesthetists assume the roles of physician anesthesiologists.
Other findings related to anesthesia care included:
- 74% of Veterans considered it important for anesthesia care during surgery to be provided by a physician anesthesiologist.
- 61% strongly agreed that surgery and anesthesia, being inherently risky, necessitate physician involvement.
- 64% strongly agreed that Veterans should receive the same high-quality care during surgery as non-Veterans at top-rated hospitals.
Among the broader findings of the survey:
- Nearly 9 out of 10 Veterans expected the same level of healthcare quality as top-rated non-VA hospitals.
- Only 6% of Veterans receiving VA healthcare would not recommend it to fellow Veterans.
- Veterans with burn pit exposure were 30% more likely to enroll in VA healthcare.
- 60% of Veterans reported suffering from multiple health issues.
The American Legion’s survey highlights Veterans’ perspectives and preferences, emphasizing the vital role of Veterans’ voices in shaping the future of healthcare standards within the VA system.
To view the full survey, click here.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.