Department of Veterans Affairs

www.va.gov

Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the second largest federal agency behind the Defense Department. The nation's largest health care system, it's comprised of 153 medical centers, with at least one in each state, and 1,400 sites of care including out-patient clinics, nursing homes and other types of facilities. But the VA also runs military cemeteries, cuts disability checks for veterans with service related injuries and provides education and training, among other things.

There are more than 23 million American veterans and about 60 million people eligible for veterans' benefits, including spouses and children. VA hospitals and clinics see more than 5 million patients a year and the department distributes benefits to nearly 4 million veterans annually.

Location

Story Ideas for Regional Reporters

The VA has medical facilities around the United States that can be valuable fodder for stories. Most have their own public affairs staffs so you should stay in touch with those in the region you're interested in. You can search for VA facilities by zip code on the department's Website at http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1

Many regional reporters have done stories out of military medical centers like Walter Reed Army Medical Center on soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those hospitals are usually brief pit stops for wounded vets who are eventually transferred into the VA system. For many, especially those with life-altering wounds like amputations, they will be dependent on the VA for long-term rehabilitation, benefits and learning how to live a normal life with their injuries.

The VA has traditionally struggled with unique problems that come out of different wars. For example, in Korea, the VA had to deal with the long term effects of soldiers' cold weather exposure. After the first war in Iraq, it was Gulf War Syndrome. To try to be more responsive, the VA is monitoring the health of returning combat vets on an expedited basis over the next two years to see what occurs. About one-third of combat vets from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who seek care from the VA have a possible mental disorder, according to VA statistics. To help them, the VA runs a system of storefront clinics called “vet centers.” These are often located in malls or other community spots and any veteran can go in for an evaluation.

Other issues include how the VA will handle the increase in elderly veterans as the baby boom generation ages. The VA used to provide health care for all veterans over the age of 65. But as of January 2003, there is an eight-tier system used to determine who is eligible for care. Some vets who have enough money to pay for health care themselves may not qualify. More aging vets are also turning to the VA to get their prescription drugs, which would be more expensive elsewhere.

Media Contacts

Media Relations Office: 202-461-7600

Phil Budahn, Director of Media Relations: 202-461-7558

Karen Fedele, Deputy Director of Media Relations: 202-461-7559

The office consists of about six to eight people who are divided up by topic so depending on what you are calling about the person you deal with may vary. The Media Relations Office also has seven regional offices.

Resources

The VA Website has a lot of useful information.

You can find facts sheets if you need basic statistics on topics like medical care, research, home loan assistance, insurance and cemeteries and employees. In addition, you will also find a short timeline and list of previous secretaries and administrators at http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/vafacts.asp The VA organizational briefing book online has more detailed information on budgets and hierarchy if you need more at          http://www.va.gov/ofcadmin/docs/vaorgbb.pdf.

If you want to receive email press releases and updated fact sheets you can subscribe online at http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/opa_listserv.asp

Several independent groups are very active on veterans groups and can be useful sources.

The VA Website lists a list of veteran service organizations at: http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view

Relevant Groups

Reporters may find the following groups particularly useful:

American Legion

Craig Roberts, media relations manager
202-263-2982 (w)
202-406-0887 (cell)
croberts@legion.org

Retired Enlisted Association

Deirdre Parke-Holleman, executive director, legislative affairs
1-800-559-8732
legdir@treadc.org

Tammy Clowers, editor & publications coordinator
1-800-338-9337
editor@trea.org

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Joe Davis, director of public affairs for the Washington office
202-608-8357 (w)
202-374-9998 (cell)
jdavis@vfw.org

Jerry Newberry, communications director, Kansas City headquarters
816-968-1168 (w)
816-835-1851 (cell)
jnewberry@vfw.org

Does this agency's information need updating? programs@nationalpress.org