The latest report from the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shows that more than one in ten staffers have yet to complete mandatory suicide prevention training. Sally Pipes, CEO, president, and health care policy fellow at the Pacific Research Institute discusses the report and why the VA needs to move to a voucher system quickly.

Read the report: https://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-22-00813-253.pdf

Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms America stands for. They deserve the best when it comes to health care. Sadly, this isn’t the case, especially when it comes to mental health and crisis care. Veterans get care through the Veterans Health Administration, a health system managed by the government.  It provides a glimpse of care under a socialized medicine model.

On this episode, Pipes discusses:

- The October report from the Inspector General and what it says about mental health care

- The prevalence of suicide among vets

- How VA care functions

- Long waits and why vouchers for private care could provide the best solution

Pipes has written about VA care in many articles and speaks on the issue.  Two recent articles include:

The VA is Failing America’s Heroes - Again

Dec 4, 2022, News-Press

https://www.news-press.com/story/opinion/2022/12/04/va-failing-americas-heroes-again/10799464002/

Veteran Suicides Testify to a Health Care Travesty

Nov 1, 2022, Washington Examiner

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/patriotism-unity/veteran-suicides-testify-to-a-healthcare-travesty