Additional Staff For VAs Distributed Inconsistently

Percent increases in staffing at different VA stations as of May for each fiscal year show that new staff didn’t necessarily go to the facilities with the longest wait times or even places the VA had designated as top priorities.

[Chart]

Notes

— The Veterans Choice Act was enacted in August 2014. New staff paid for by the additional funding would be reflected in the hiring levels for subsequent fiscal years.
— VA stations include one or more major medical center and any facilities that may report to those centers.

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs

Credit: Brittany Mayes and Stephan Bisaha/NPR