Veterans Affairs: Accessibility of Outpatient Care at VA Medical Centers

GAO discussed veterans' access to outpatient care at Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) medical centers. GAO noted that: (1) veterans with similar medical conditions or economic status receive care at some centers but not at others; (2) VA medical centers' interpretations and use of statutory eligibility and rationing criteria varies widely; (3) medical center staff rely primarily on subjective judgments when deciding who is eligible for outpatient care due to inadequate VA guidance; and (4) medical center staff make rationing decisions based on locally-developed policies.