Veterans Health Administration

VA ED-related spending increased sixfold to US$6.14 billion in fiscal year 2022. Recent US policy changes expanded VA purchasing of care from community clinicians. The panel was designed around the US veteran population and VA context, which may limit representation outside that setting. The Veterans Health Administration provided a useful setting because it is the only nationally integrated health system in the United States. Standardized methods became important for comparing VA-direct and purchased community emergency care.