A significant ongoing reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) will improve the quality, consistency, and accessibility of care for veterans, senior VA leaders said.

Newly appointed VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. John Bartrum and his team recently met with veterans service organizations, including MOAA, to outline the VHA’s Restructure for Impact and Sustainability Effort (RISE), which is already being implemented and reflects a broad push to modernize VA health care delivery.

The changes are not about reducing resources, Bartrum emphasized, but about strengthening care delivery so veterans receive high‑quality treatment regardless of where they access VA services.

[WATCH THE VIDEO: VHA RISE]

Directed by Executive Order 14210, the effort streamlines VHA’s structure and operations to create a more efficient, effective health care system.

RISE builds on the VHA’s 80‑year legacy of providing care to veterans by modernizing and realigning the system to support more uniform, coordinated, and responsive care for the veteran community, officials said.

What RISE Means for the Veteran Community

Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors who rely on VA health care should see a more predictable, reliable experience across the VHA as the RISE initiative rolls out.

While it will affect approximately 10% of the workforce – primarily in non-clinical and non-field roles – officials said the transition is not expected to disrupt care, but rather to reduce variation in processes and strengthen safety, quality, and outcomes over time. The focus is on making VA health care easier to navigate and more responsive while maintaining continuity throughout implementation.

At the heart of the reorganization is a clearer separation of responsibilities and fewer organizational layers.

The new model divides VHA functions into three core areas:

• Policy and oversight at VA headquarters office.
• Operations and standardization through a Medical Operations Center.
• Field execution through regional structures.

The effort aligns with recommendations and findings from the Government Accountability Office, the VA Office of Inspector General, congressional oversight, and broader health care industry trends.

Timeline and Implementation

The changes are already underway, with phased rollout and continued refinement expected over the coming months. Veterans should begin to see gradual improvements in consistency and overall care delivery as the new structure takes hold, VA officials said, with frontline staff also expected to see operational improvements, particularly in processes and care delivery.

While the reorganization is significant, the effort is designed to strengthen care delivery so the veteran community experiences a more dependable and better‑coordinated system, according to VA leaders.

For ongoing updates on VHA reorganization and its impact on the veteran community, visit MOAA.org/news.