Partnered Evidence-Based Policy Resource Center

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.

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

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