University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health Tuesday, emphasizing the critical role of public-private partnerships in expanding access to high-quality healthcare for our nation’s veterans.
Dr. Gold’s testimony described the University of Nebraska’s long-standing partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including clinical partnerships with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, as well as collaborations on research and educational opportunities.
“The University of Nebraska has a proud history of supporting our nation’s service members through innovative research, education, and clinical care,” Dr. Gold said. “We are committed to ensuring our veterans have access to the high-quality medical care they deserve.”
Dr. Gold testified in support of H.R. 217, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska, which seeks to make permanent the CHIP-IN for Veterans Act. This legislation enables the VA to develop and finance healthcare facilities through public-private partnerships.
Dr. Gold pointed to Nebraska’s successful CHIP-IN pilot project as a model for the nation. Through a unique partnership combining federal resources and private philanthropy, the Omaha VA Ambulatory Care Center was constructed to serve veterans in the Nebraska-Western Iowa region. The project has been recognized nationally as a model of efficiency and innovation.
Looking ahead, Dr. Gold highlighted Project Health, a $2.19 billion cutting-edge medical facility currently under development at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). He underscored the opportunity for a new VA hospital on the UNMC campus that would offer enhanced services for veterans. This modern, free-standing VA facility would be directly connected to Project Health, ensuring seamless access to advanced diagnostic, procedural, and clinical trial services.
“Our proposed partnership would provide veterans with state-of-the-art care, while also leveraging shared resources and Nebraska’s growing healthcare workforce,” Dr. Gold said. “It’s a model that offers both improved outcomes and cost savings — and one that can be replicated across the country.”
Dr. Gold emphasized that ensuring permanent authorization of the CHIP-IN Act is essential to expanding successful partnerships nationwide and enhancing the delivery of healthcare services for America’s veterans.
“The men and women who served our country deserve nothing less than the best care we can provide,” Dr. Gold said. “By working together, we can create a future where every veteran has access to world-class healthcare.”