Press Releases
Congresswoman Kuster Pushes VA Officials to Improve Efficiency During VA Hearing, Cosponsors Bill to Increase Access to Care and Transparency for Veterans
Washington, DC,
June 18, 2014
This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) continued her push for the VA to improve efficiency, so no veteran ever has to wait for care. She also cosponsored H.R. 4841, the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014, to increase care options for veterans, improve transparency at the VA, and reduce the risk of mismanagement. Last week, the Senate overwhelmingly passed companion legislation to this bill, which was introduced by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). “We must continue to hold the VA accountable for the appalling mismanagement that continues to come to light. We owe our veterans a great debt of gratitude, and making them wait for care is absolutely unacceptable. That’s why today I pushed VA officials to improve administrative practices at VA medical facilities and make it easier for veterans to schedule, reschedule, and receive information about their appointments. I questioned private sector health administrators about how we can best provide timely non-VA care to veterans who have limited access at their local VA facilities,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “I’m also proud to cosponsor H.R. 4841, which will increase options for care and improve transparency at the VA, and I urge my colleagues in the House to pass it immediately.” During this morning’s hearing, Congresswoman Kuster pushed VA officials to increase the focus on measuring outcomes, so moving forward the VA can implement best practices and ensure that our veterans are receiving the care they need as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Congresswoman also questioned private sector health care administrators about how non-VA care providers can be better integrated into the VA health care system to provide a more robust model of community-based care for our veterans. Since allegations of long wait times at the Phoenix VA were first discovered by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Kuster has repeatedly called for increased oversight and immediate action at the VA to prevent any further mismanagement. She called for a thorough, nationwide audit of all VA medical centers, and she continues to call for additional audits to immediately identify and fix any problems at VA centers across the country. She has also provided strict oversight over the VA medical centers serving New Hampshire, and she has called on the New England VA Network Director to conduct a complete review of wait times and to provide whistleblower protection for staff who come forward with information about mismanagement. She also held a roundtable discussion with Veteran Service Organizations and veteran leaders to hear about their experiences at the VA medical centers, and she continues to monitor their care in New Hampshire. ### |