Robert Hurt Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Conduct Independent Audits of the VA

Statement

Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Virginia) recently introduced the Veterans Administration Legislative and Objective Review (VALOR) Act, H.R.3122, along with Congressman Tim Walz (D-Minnesota), which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to undergo a biannual, independent audit by a non-governmental entity. Congressman Hurt said:

"In April of last year, we learned of the unacceptable actions by employees at Veterans Administration hospitals around the nation that resulted in tragic outcomes for those who have sacrificed to protect our nation's freedoms. In the wake of these reports, I heard an outpouring of concern from many local veterans -- those most directly affected by the VA's incompetence -- seeking real solutions to these urgent problems. A group of Charlottesville-area veterans suggested that changing the culture of the VA and reforming its practices could only be achieved by applying rigorous third-party scrutiny to the agency's management and operations on a regular basis. The VALOR Act embodies this concept for reform by requiring a regularly-occurring, independent audit of the VA, which will bring about real change and greater opportunities for congressional oversight of the agency.

"We cannot fully repair the problems with the care our veterans receive without a thorough understanding of these problems and a continuing commitment to resolving them. Given the VA's gross mismanagement and culture of bureaucracy and paper-pushing, we cannot trust that the agency's internal reviews are sufficient. Though the Veterans Choice Act was a good step toward assessing the breadth of the VA's problems, it was only the first step in a long journey to overhauling the VA and ensuring that we never hear stories like these ever again. The VALOR Act takes a real, meaningful stride toward delivering the quality care our veterans have earned. I thank Congressman Walz for his support as we work to move this bill through the legislative process. I remain committed to ensuring veterans receive a level of care and service worthy of the tremendous sacrifices they have made to preserve our American way of life."

Congressman Tim Walz (D-Minnesota) said: "This commonsense bill will aid in our efforts to reform the VA and ensure veterans across the country receive the best care possible. I urge my colleagues to support this measured, bipartisan legislation."

Charlottesville resident Colonel Victor Peña, Retired U.S. Army and Military Officer Association of America Officer, said: "Even after the passage of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, a year ago, the Veterans Administration continues to make headlines detailing its dysfunctional and mismanaged service to veterans. Thank you Congressman Hurt for taking on the challenge of fixing this troubled agency. The audits proposed in the VALOR Act of 2015 should go a long way to remediate many of the problems in the VA."

Background

* The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, which was signed into law last year, created a one-time, private sector, system-wide audit of the VA health system.

* The VALOR Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into a contract, biannually, with a private company to conduct a comprehensive audit of the Department of Veterans Affairs' healthcare functions.

* The legislation requires the audit be made publicly available on the VA's website, and the Secretary of the VA would be required to submit a report within 120 days to Congress outlining the findings of the audit and the plans to make improvements based on the findings.

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