Following Reports of Continued Mismanagement at VA hospitals, Shaheen Reintroduces Legislation to Spur Accountability

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) reintroduced legislation in the Senate that would mandate random, outside auditing of Veterans Administration (VA) medical facilities by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). This follows recent reports that, despite reform efforts, certain VA medical facilities are still engaging in mismanagement that is delaying care and endangering the lives of veterans.  

“This legislation is about changing the culture at the VA,” said Shaheen. “Anyone who has fought to protect this country should be receiving quality, timely care from the VA. My bill will shed a light on troubling mismanagement at certain VA facilities, and complements the reform efforts that have already been put in place.”

Senator Shaheen’s bill requires the GAO to perform random, periodic audits to ensure that veterans receive timely access to medical care. Senator Shaheen introduced several legislative proposals last year that were signed into law as part of larger bipartisan VA reform legislation, including a requirement to remedy delays in care for veterans. Senator Shaheen is also a co-sponsor of Senator Richard Blumenthal’s (D-CT) bill (S.1856) allowing the VA to remove or suspend employees for poor performance, misconduct, or interfering with public health or safety.

Text of the Veterans Scheduling Accountability Act is available here.