The Shadow
SALEM, Va. (VR) ― The Salem VA Health Care System announced today it has earned the highest possible rating, five-stars, as part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 2025 hospital quality ratings for the third year in a row.
CMS hospital ratings are based on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience and timely and effective care. A higher star rating indicates better performance on these quality measures.
This year, the Salem VA Health Care System has increased availability of specialty services at our Community Based Outpatient Clinics, increased appointment opportunities to reduce wait times, and expanded mental health coverage through Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program teams.
The Salem VA Health Care System has also been recognized for establishing best practices for community care consultation management. The Salem VA created the first Consult Management Team in VA. This interdisciplinary team manages each step of Veteran consultations from point of placement to point of care, ensuring coordination of VA and community-based care remains seamless for Veterans and their families.
In addition to receiving a five-star rating from CMS this year, 93% of Veterans surveyed since January 2025 reported that they trust the Salem VA Health Care System for their healthcare services. “These ratings highlight the excellent care the Salem VA Health Care System provides,” said Dr. Rebecca Stackhouse, Executive Director of the Salem VA Health Care System. “Our job is to continue raising the bar for customer service and convenience throughout the department, so the Salem VA Health Care System works better for the Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors we are charged with serving.”
As part of CMS’s 2025 ratings, 77% of VA hospitals that received an Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating received 4 or 5 stars, and no VA hospitals received a one-star rating. More than 90% of VA hospitals with ratings maintained or improved their 2024-star rating.
View the star ratings and methodology for the ratings.
Overall VA improvements during the second Trump Administration
- The backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits is down more than 37% since Jan. 20, 2025.
- VA has opened 16 new health care clinics, expanding access for Veterans around the country.
- VA is spending an additional $800 million on infrastructure improvements to ensure department facilities provide safe and effective patient care.
- Since Jan. 20, VA has offered nearly 1 million health care appointments outside of normal operating hours. These early-morning, evening, and weekend appointments are giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.
- VA is processing record numbers of disability claims, reaching an all-time fiscal-year high of 2.52 million ratings claims for FY25 as of Aug. 8.
- VA has made it easier and faster for VA-enrolled Veterans to access care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense.
- VA has implemented major reforms to make it easier for survivors to get benefits.
- VA is accelerating the deployment of its integrated electronic health record system.
- VA partnered with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to identify and recover $106 million in duplicate billing.
- VA has brought tens of thousands of VA employees back to the office, where we can work better as a team to serve Veterans.
- In fiscal year 2025 through June, VA has housed 37,534 homeless Veterans.
For more information, contact Evan Hinkley, Public Affairs Officer, at Evan.Hinkley@va.gov or 540-982-2463 extension 1400.
