GAO Testimony: Opportunities to Improve Access to Care Through the Veterans Community Care Program
Description
Opening Statement by Sharon Silas, Director, GAO's Health Care team to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health. VHA operates one of the largest health care delivery systems in the U.S. It provides health care to more than 6 million veterans. The majority of veterans receive care in VHA-operated medical facilities. However, the number of veterans receiving care from community health care providers has increased from about 1.1 million in 2014 to about 2.8 million in 2023, according to VA.
This statement focuses on VA’s efforts to ensure that veterans have access to high-quality health care, particularly through community providers. It also discusses opportunities GAO has identified to improve VA operations. This statement is based on seven GAO reports that were issued between 2018 and 2025. See GAO-18-281, GAO-20-643, GAO-23-105290, GAO-23-105617, GAO-24-106410, GAO-24-106390, and GAO-25-106678. This statement also includes updated information on the status of GAO’s recommendations made in those reports.
This statement focuses on VA’s efforts to ensure that veterans have access to high-quality health care, particularly through community providers. It also discusses opportunities GAO has identified to improve VA operations. This statement is based on seven GAO reports that were issued between 2018 and 2025. See GAO-18-281, GAO-20-643, GAO-23-105290, GAO-23-105617, GAO-24-106410, GAO-24-106390, and GAO-25-106678. This statement also includes updated information on the status of GAO’s recommendations made in those reports.