Physician-scientists and congress demand answers from the VA

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) ensures that the health care needs of America's veterans are sewed by providing primary care, specialized car e, and related medical and social support services. It is one of the nation 's largest research organizations. The Journal of Investigative Medicine has been flooded with telephone and e -mail messages from VA investigators who voiced their concerns regarding pr otected research time and how Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) dollars are spent by Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) directors across the country. In an attempt to heighten awareness concerning this issue, JIM presents sev eral interviews to identify the root of the problem. Participating in this discussion are a VA chief of medicine, two associate chiefs of staff (ACOS) for the VA Research and Development office, and five VA investigators who will remain anonymous to prefect their respective positions. (Jaclyn D'Auri a).