With more than 1,300 sites of care, VA operates the largest integrated health care system in the county.

In January 2013 following a meeting between Filner and the San Diego chapter of Americans for Safe Access Filner instructed the San Diego Police Department and city code compliance officers to stop enforcing codes against marijuana dispensaries and stop forwarding cases to the San Diego City Attorney's Office. The National Iranian American Council criticized the congressman for these actions. At his first news conference after his election as mayor Filner introduced his fiancee Bronwyn Ingram a disability analyst who works for the Social Security Administration.

S. He is a member of the Democratic Party.