Veterans' health care outscores
private sector - again
WASHINGTON (January 2006) - Veterans continue to be
more satisfied with their health care than the average
American, according to an annual report on customer
satisfaction that compares the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) health care system with private-sector health
care.
The ratings came in the annual American Customer
Satisfaction Index (ACSI), which ranks "customer
satisfaction" with various federal
programs and private-sector industries.
"Although VA has received many wonderful endorsements
recently, the support of our veterans - the people who know
us best - is the highest praise," said R. James Nicholson,
Secretary of Veterans
Affairs. "This is a testament to the hard work of VA
employees, the
support of Congress and the leadership of the White House."
The ACSI, an independent survey of customer satisfaction
within both the federal and private sectors, gave VA's
inpatient care a rating of 83 on a 100-point scale. That's
10 percentage points higher than the 73
rating achieved for inpatient care by the private-sector
health care
industry.
VA's rating of 80 for outpatient care was five percentage
points higher
than the 75 rating for private-sector outpatient care and
nine
percentage points higher than the average satisfaction
rating for all
federal services.
The latest findings mark the sixth consecutive year VA's
health care
system has outranked the private sector for customer
satisfaction.
"VA provides world-class health care for our veterans," said
Dr.
Jonathan B. Perlin, VA's Under Secretary for Health. "The
ACSI ratings confirm that our veterans recognize the
dedicated service of VA's health care professionals."
Since 1994, the ACSI survey has been a national measurement
of customer satisfaction with the quality of goods and
services in the United States. ACSI produces indices of
satisfaction for seven economic sectors, 41 industries, 200
private-sector companies and two types of local government
services.
VA's strong showing came after interviews with veterans who
have
recently used the Department's services. The report is the
product of
the National Quality Research Center at the University of
Michigan
Business School, the CFI group, and the Federal Consulting
Group.
Health care is just one of many potential benefits available
to those
who served in our nation's armed forces. If you served, or
know someone who did, check on eligibility for benefits and
services from VA at:
www.va.gov
or call 1-800-827-1000.
