Dr. Stephan Fihn, a dedicated VA researcher and physician, highlights the transformative impact of Veterans Affairs research on patient treatment, notably for prostate enlargement, where medication has replaced surgery. VA-funded initiatives have led to significant medical advancements, yet current budget constraints and personnel decisions threaten ongoing research. Despite Congress allocating nearly $1 billion in funding, recent hiring freezes and contract cuts raise concerns about the future of VA's extensive medical research programs, essential for veterans' healthcare advancements.
Dr. Fihn lists similar examples: the nicotine patch, the first liver transplant, CT scans, and pretty much all the little rapid test strips used to detect everything from pregnancy to COVID.
Congress authorized nearly $1 billion in VA research last year, but Fihn and several colleagues warn that it's all under threat.
Sudden, arbitrary personnel decisions are placing thousands of researchers and tens of millions of dollars of ongoing research at risk and threatening the future of a $2 billion research enterprise.
VA is conducting a comprehensive assessment of ongoing research initiatives to evaluate their impact on Veteran health care.
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