The Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals are falling behind commercial hospitals in access to life-changing medical technology due to budget constraints and staffing shortages, according to leaders of medical technology companies. During a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee oversight hearing, it was revealed that the VA’s reliance on outdated technologies is hindering the adoption of recent medical innovations that could extend lives.
Boston Scientific, a global medical technology company, discussed advances in treating atrial fibrillation and preventing strokes that VA hospitals have been slow to adopt. While over 60% of commercial hospitals use pulsed field ablation technology for AFib procedures, only 10% of VA hospitals have access to this technology. The lack of budget predictability and staffing challenges have led to delays in adopting life-saving technologies.
Leaders emphasized the need for a more predictable budget and acquisition process, as well as the creation of a “fast-track solution” for adopting high-impact medical technologies within the VA. Philips has been developing technologies that could benefit VA hospitals, including a system that uses artificial intelligence to detect early warning signs of infectious diseases.
It was suggested that the Defense Department and VA work collaboratively to improve the adoption of medical technologies. Philips also offered solutions to modernize the VA’s imaging infrastructure and create a centralized network for sharing resources and expertise across facilities. The introduction of modern technologies could lead to better health outcomes for veterans and enhance the overall readiness of the military force.
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