The Federal Drive Podcast: Sean O’Connor on Modernizing VA Care

Sean O’Connor, DexCare Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, joins host Terry Gerton to discuss the urgent need for VA healthcare modernization. As a third-generation veteran and Navy 9/11 veteran, Sean shares his perspective on the challenges facing the nation’s largest health system and its 9 million veterans.

The conversation explores the fragmentation plaguing VA care delivery. With over 130 separate VistA instances that don’t communicate with each other, veterans face significant barriers to timely care. One VA leader described the complexity as “beyond human comprehension.”

Sean advocates for breaking down data silos to create a unified view of capacity across the VA network. Rather than another big-bang technology deployment, he recommends starting with strategic proof-of-concepts in smaller VISN networks, learning quickly, and scaling what works.

The discussion also addresses the mental health crisis among veterans. Despite VA funding increasing from $21 billion to $121 billion over 20 years, veteran suicide rates remain tragically unchanged at 17 per day. Sean emphasizes that while technology can improve access to mental health services, cultural barriers and stigma require equal attention.

Looking at community care integration, Sean highlights the importance of preserving the unique culture and expertise within VA healthcare while giving veterans meaningful choice for certain services. The challenge lies in managing care coordination as veterans increasingly receive care across multiple systems.