Policy Briefs
These evidence-based policy briefs are written by the Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center (PEPReC) staff to inform policymakers and VHA managers about the evidence regarding determinants of demand for VHA care within the broader health system and economy. PEPReC is a QUERI-and HSR&D-funded resource center that collaborates with operational partners to design and execute randomized evaluations of VHA initiatives, develops and refines performance metrics, and writes evidence-based policy briefs.
2026
Stanley B, Kuwonza F, O'Malley K, Figueroa S, Frakt A, Pizer SD. Understanding Data and Policy: A Case Study on Productivity Measurement and the Federal EHR Transition. Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, January 2026.
2025
Smith K, Dorneo A, Shen Y, Pizer SD. The Impact of Community Care on Spine Surgical Complexity and Outcomes in the Veterans Health Administration. Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, November 2025.
Smith K, Dorneo A, Pizer SD. Veteran Enrollment in Medicare Advantage: Impact on Veterans Health Administration Reliance. Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, October 2025.
Stanley B, Carey K, Auty S, Lipsey D, Pizer SD. Mental Health and Clinic Operations: Reducing Veteran Suicide-Related Events. Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, February 2025
2024
Nguyen P, O'Malley K, Legler A, Sites EP, Thorsness R, Pizer S. “VHA Primary Care Physician Salary and Time to Fill.” Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, November 2024
O'Malley K, Carvalho K, Sites EP, Frakt AB. “The PACT Act: Year Two Review.” Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, November 2024
Nguyen P, Sites EP, Thorsness R, Barr K, Pizer SD. "FY24 Population-based Workforce Guidelines." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, October 2024
Figueroa S, Sites EP, Garrido MM. “Evidence in Action: Lessons Learned and Future Directions for the Strength of Evidence Checklist.” Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, October 2024
Nguyen P, Li Y, Tenso K, Sadej I, Sites EP, Garrido MM, Pizer SD. “Medical Training Programs Impact on VHA Physician Workforce Recruitment, Productivity, and Turnover.” Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, June 2024
Carvalho K, Asfaw D, Sites EP, Garrido MM. "Effects of VHA's Referral Coordination Initiative on Referral Patterns and Waiting Times." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, May 2024
O'Malley K, Miller K, Garrido M. "Payers of Long-Term Services and Supports for Veterans." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, January 2024
2023
O’Malley K, Carvalho K, Figueroa S, Sites EP, Frakt AB. “The PACT Act: An Overview.” Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, November 2023
Nguyen P, Sadej S, Sites EP, Lum J, Yee C, Pizer SD. “Telehealth Use and Availability in VHA Outpatient Mental Health Care.” Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, October 2023
Carvalho K, Dorneo A, Feyman Y, Yee C, Pizer S. "Changes in Cost-Sharing Have Little Impact on VHA Reliance." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, July 2023
Song S, Sadej I, Thorsness R, Palani S, Biko D, Pizer S. “VA Urgent Care Delivery: Perspectives from Urgent Care Clinic and Emergency Department Providers." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, June 2023
Shafer P, Carvalho K, MacDonald C, Palani S, Saeed I, Legler A, Barr K, Kirsh S, Pizer S. "The MISSION Act Scribes Pilot: Implementation and Costs." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, April 2023
Biko D, Figueroa S, Pearson Sites E, Garrido M. “Home and Community-Based Services: Exploring Options to Control Costs and Expand Access to Long-Term Care.” Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, March 2023
2022
Emmitt C, Avila CJ, Frakt A, Strombotne K. "Stratification Tool for Opioid Risk Mitigation (STORM)." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, October 2022
MacDonald C, Biko D, Barr K, Pearson E, Woodruff A, and Pizer D. "Clinic Efficiency: Improving Access to Care Within Resource Constraints." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Brief, July 2022
2021
Avila C, Pearson E, and Garrido M. "Suicide Prevention and the Veterans Crisis Line Caring Letters Evaluation." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Brief, December 2021
Partnered Evidence-Based Policy Resource Center "Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) Caring Letters," December 2021
Partnered Evidence-Based Policy Resource Center. "Access to Care: Mission 401" Two-Pager, November 2021
Partnered Evidence-Based Policy Resource Center. “Use of the Strength of Evidence Checklist," November 2021
Sadej I., Lum J., Pearson E., and Pizer S. "Virtual Health Care: Using Telehealth to Provide Care in VHA." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Brief, August 2021
Woodruff A., Gorden S., Pizer S., and Garrido M. "VA Utilization Management: High Performing Provider Project." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Brief, May 2021
2020
Ndugga N., Avila C., Pearson E., Pizer S., and Garrido M. "Foundations for Evidence-based Policy Making Act." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Brief, September 2020
Woodruff A., Pearson E., Garrido M., and Pizer S. "The MISSION Act," Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Policy Brief, August 2020
2019
Pearson E., Frakt A, and Pizer S. "Medicare: Coverage with Evidence Development," Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Policy Brief, June 2019
Benavidez G, Frakt A, and Pizer S. "Medicaid-Midterms, Waivers, and What it Means for the Veterans Health Administration," Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Policy Brief, January 2019
2018
Pearson E, Frakt A, and Pizer S. "Medical Scribes, Productivity, and Satisfaction." Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Policy Brief, December 2018
Pearson E, Yee C, and Pizer S. "VHA Recall Reminder Scheduling Protocol and Its Impact on Wait Times for New Patients," Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Policy Brief, October 2018
2017
Yee C, Frakt A, Parikh M, and Pizer S. "Bundled Payments," Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Policy Brief, November 2017
2016
Yee C, Frakt A, and Pizer S. "Cost, Quality, and Access of Fee-For Service Purchased Care vs. VHA Care for Veterans," Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Policy Brief, November 2016
Yee C, Frakt A, and Pizer S. "Cost, Quality, and Access under Risk-Based Contracting: The Medicare Advantage Experience," Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center Policy Brief, November 2016
Yee C, Frakt A, and Pizer S. "Economic and Policy Effects on Demand for VA Care," Partnered Evidence-Based Policy Resource Center Policy brief, March 2016
