VSO Roundtable with Secretary Shulkin

On June 29, VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin met with more than a dozen veterans service organizations to address new initiatives at the VA and discuss his top priorities, which include modernizing the healthcare delivery system, improving efficiency, and suicide prevention.

During the discussion, the Secretary addressed new legislation centered on VA accountability, and fielded questions from the attendees on the proposed repeal of the Affordable Care Act and how that will impact veterans, ongoing funding for the Veterans Choice Program, and streamlining hiring processes at the VA.

Another topic of discussion was the VA's new initiative to extend emergency mental health services to veterans with Other Than Honorable discharges. Information about the details of this program and how veterans can access services is provided in this Fact Sheet.

The VSOs who attended included The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Jewish War Veterans, Commissioned Officers of the United States Public Health Services, Fleet Reserve Association, Blinded Veterans, American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Catholic War Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Got Your 6, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Wounded Warrior Project and The Mission Continues. Each had an opportunity to engage Shulkin and ask questions on behalf of the collective millions of Veterans they represent.

Video of the event can be found at the VA's blog: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/39243/va-secretary-vsos-changing-the-va-culture-together/