Va Health Center Management Stability and Improvement Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, as a marine and the father of a marine, I understand it takes leadership to win a battle. However, at VA medical centers across this country, we have seen a revolving door of temporary directors that has made it difficult to implement the long-term reforms our heroes deserve. This first came to my attention in my own backyard.

Many southern Illinois veterans receive treatment at the VA Medical Center in St. Louis. This facility has struggled to find a permanent director since July 14, 2013. That is 34 months ago. It is a similar story at roughly three dozen other VA hospitals nationwide.

Part of the problem is rooted in the fact that the Office of Personnel Management only allows temporary directors to serve a term of 120 to 240 days. How are we ever going to clean up the VA if no one is around long enough to do it?

That is why I introduced H.R. 3956, the VA Health Center Management Stability and Improvement Act. My bipartisan legislation, introduced with Congressman Costa, will help close the revolving door at the VA clinics. It requires the VA to report to Congress on any unfilled vacancies and identify roadblocks that may have led to the problem to begin with. It requires the VA to develop a plan of action for hiring highly qualified and permanent directors for each and every opening. It tells the VA to access opportunities for promoting and training high- performing candidates from within the organization.

The status quo is unacceptable, as it determines the quality, consistency, and speed of care that our veterans receive. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join The American Legion, AMVETS, Disabled Veterans of America, and other service organizations by supporting this legislation.

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