Page 18 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2026

COAST NOTE
The Gulf Coast retired military community will be pleased to learn of the local Veterans Health Care System receiving a five- star rating in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ annual Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating report. This is a sustainment from last year’s good rating.
CMS’ Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings are based on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. A higher star rating out of five indicates better performance along these quality measures, according to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spokesperson.
“Receiving a five-star rating from CMS is a reflection of the dedication our entire team brings to caring for veterans every day,” said Dr. Stephanie Repasky, director of Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System. “This rating underscores our commitment to delivering safe, timely and high-quality care, and we are proud to contribute to VA’s continued nationwide excellence.”
Nationwide, 78 percent of VA hospitals received an Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating of four or five stars in 2026. This
Biloxi VA Medical Center
Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System Receives Top Ratings
story by Lynn Lofton
photo courtesy of VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
is the fourth consecutive year that VA has outperformed non-VA care, and the second year in a row that no VA hospital received a one-star rating. The percentage of VA hospitals receiving four or five stars has grown dramatically in the last two years. That includes 67 percent in 2023; 58 percent in 2024; and 77 percent in 2025.
“This year’s CMS report is just one example of how VA
is working better for veterans,” Repasky said. Among other improvements, the report reveals that the VA has: enrolled more than 125,000 new Veterans in VA health care in 2026, opened 35 new VA health care facilities expanding health care access for veterans around the country, and reduced the backlog of veterans waiting for VA benefits.
Additionally, the VA offered Veterans more than 2.5 million appointments outside of normal operating hours, giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.
For more information, please contact the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System Public Affairs at vhabilpublicaffairs@va.gov or visit www.gov/gulf-coast-health- care.
18 | July 2026
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