Wait Time Equity Elusive in VHA Specialty Care
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by Teraya Smith
November 5, 2025
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2 min
9 Key Takeaways
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1
Study on racial disparities in veteran specialty care wait times.
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2
Analyzed over 10 million referrals (2018-2022).
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3
Black veterans had longest VHA wait time (40 days).
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4
Community care wait time for Black veterans was 5
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5
9 days.
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6
More than 50% of referrals exceeded VHA's 28-day access standard.
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7
Facility differences were primary factors for disparities.
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8
Need for policies to ensure timely access to care in under-resourced areas.
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9
Conducted by researchers from Boston University and VA Boston Healthcare System.
A nationwide analysis reveals persistent racial disparities in access to specialty care for veterans, particularly affecting Black veterans who experience the longest wait times. The study examined over 10 million referrals from 2018 to 2022, indicating that Black veterans faced an average wait of 40 days for VHA appointments and 52.9 days for community care. Factors such as facility differences significantly contribute to these disparities. The findings underscore the need for policies that improve healthcare access in underserved areas to address these inequities.
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