The United States government established the first federal medical facility for veterans nearly two centuries ago, and the Veterans Administration was officially established in 1930. But these days, some veterans and advocates argue that the VA isn't serving veterans as well as it should be.

Keith Jeffries and Citizens for Veterans Rights have been trying to improve how the West Los Angeles VA handles veteran health care for more than 15 years. They are fighting to keep the hospital from being sold and against the commercialization of the hospital that they say should be fully utilizing its space for direct services for veterans.

This week's Sprouts edition is produced by by Grace Gadson & Claudine Robinson of Griot Sessions in Los Angeles.