The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has received high marks in the latest Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2025 hospital quality ratings. According to the CMS report, more than three-fourths of VA hospitals that were evaluated earned either four or five stars out of a possible five. The CMS star ratings are determined by performance in five areas: mortality, safety of care, readmission rates, patient experience, and timely and effective care.
Of the VA hospitals rated, 77% achieved four or five stars, with none receiving a one-star rating. Additionally, over 90% of these hospitals maintained or improved their star rating compared to 2024.
“These ratings highlight the excellent care VA hospitals provide,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Our job is to continue raising the bar for customer service and convenience throughout the department, so VA works better for the Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors we are charged with serving.”
In addition to these ratings, the VA reports several operational improvements during the second Trump Administration. The backlog of veterans waiting for benefits has decreased by more than 37% since January 20, 2025. The department is processing record numbers of disability claims—reaching an all-time fiscal-year high of 2.52 million as of August 8—and has opened 16 new health care clinics nationwide.
The VA is also investing $800 million in infrastructure upgrades to improve patient care facilities and has streamlined access for veterans enrolled in VA programs to receive care from non-VA providers at department expense. Other reforms include simplifying survivor benefit processes and accelerating deployment of an integrated electronic health record system.
A partnership between the VA and CMS resulted in identifying and recovering $106 million in duplicate billing. Additional changes include phasing out certain treatments for gender dysphoria and ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the department—a move that reversed previous policies and halted more than $14 million in DEI spending.
The agency also reported bringing many employees back to office work settings to enhance teamwork. In fiscal year 2025 through June, the VA housed over 37,500 homeless veterans.
