Bsop588 – Managing Quality

Running head: QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR US VETERANS

Quality Mental Healthcare for US Veterans

Matt Schultz

95 Zephyr St – Lakewood, CO 80226

matt@sonis-LLP.com – 303-515-1233

Keller School of Management – DeVry University

BSOP588 – Managing Quality

Dr. Johnny Morris

10 June 2013

INTRODUCTION

The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system with over 1,700 sites of care, serving 8.3 million Veterans each year. The VA operates the nation's largest integrated health care system, with more than 1,700 hospitals, clinics, community living centers, domiciliary, readjustment counseling centers, and other facilities. The projected Veteran population increases include both the women Veteran and minority Veteran populations. Compared to the overall U.S. population, the Veteran population is getting younger, especially for the male Veterans. Another noticeable trend for the Veteran population is the projected higher growth in the Southern and Western regions.

The establishment of the Veterans Administration came in 1930 when Congress authorized the President to "consolidate and coordinate Government activities affecting war veterans" (VHA, 2013). The three component agencies became bureaus within the Veterans Administration. Brigadier General Frank T. Hines, who directed the Veterans Bureau for seven years, was named as the first Administrator of Veterans Affairs, a job he held until 1945.

The VA health care system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930, to include 152 hospitals; 800 community based outpatient clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and 35 domiciliary. (Department Report, 2010) VA health care facilities provide a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care. The responsibilities and benefits programs of the Veterans Administration grew enormously during the following six decades. World War II resulted in not only a vast increase in the veteran population, but also in large number of new benefits...