Apr 26, 2021 — When it comes to getting its patients vaccinated, the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system has in many ways been out ahead of its counterparts responsible for inoculating the general population. In several regions, the VA already has opened vaccinations to all its enrollees, regardless of age or health status. But now Congress has given it a bigger vaccination challenge. A new law called the Save Lives Act says the VA can now vaccinate all veterans and their spouses and caregivers - not just those enrolled in its health care system. That's a huge jump, even for a system as large as the VA.