It was produced by Orion Pictures, and starring Kiefer Sutherland, Ray Liotta, Forest Whitaker, John C. McGinley, Rutanya Alda and Lea Thompson.

The film's title supposedly refers to a legal loophole, which states that unless an illness/injury is related to military service, a veteran is not eligible for VA hospital benefits.

[3] Peter Morgan, a young doctor, begins a new job at Monument Heights Veterans' Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Sturgess, along with his colleagues Rudy Bobrick, Sid Handleman, and Robin Van Dorn, are defiant of Dreyfoos' belt-tightening policies.

Meanwhile, Morgan befriends World War II veteran Sam Abrams, who is considered by the hospital a 'gomer'—a person who cannot be admitted even with a critical condition and has to be constantly moved around so administration will not discharge him.

Overhearing Dreyfoos' phone conversation, Morgan learns that a new shipment of cardiac surgery tools is stored in the pathology department.

However, this turns out to be a trap set by Dreyfoos, who films the theft and blackmails Sturgess into voluntary suspension and a declaration of guilt if charges are brought.

Morgan and Sturgess, along with wiseguy veteran Luther Jerome, begin planning a hostile takeover to properly attend to the patients without interference from the administration.