Rokita, House Continue Support for Veterans, Oversight of VA

Press Release

U.S. Rep Todd Rokita today continued his work to ensure veterans receive the care they were promised by demanding accountability from President Obama and his Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The House passed two key pieces of legislation that will reinforce congressional oversight of the VA, give the Secretary of the VA broader authority to dismiss failed management, and require the VA to allow veterans to receive care at non-VA facilities.

"Veterans ought to expect timely and effective care. Reports of backlogs and poor service at VA medical facilities are unacceptable. Those who are directly or indirectly responsible must be held accountable, starting with being fired for their negligence. I will continue fighting for our veterans by pursuing these and other remedies to correct these problems," said Rokita.

H.R. 2072 - Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act, which passed the House on Monday, requires the Veterans Affairs IG to report to the VA Secretary and congressional veterans committees of failures by the VA to address a public health or safety issue recommended by the IG. Upon receipt of such notification, the VA Secretary is to take steps to address the situation with the responsible VA manager.

H.R. 4810 - The Veterans Access to Care Act, which passed today increases opportunities for veterans to receive medical care at non-VA facilities, requires the VA to contract with an independent entity to conduct an assessment of the health care provided at VA medical facilities, and eliminates bonuses and performance awards for all VA employees for FY 2014- FY2016.

These bills build on the work the House has done in recent weeks in response to the reports of gross misconduct and failed performance of the Phoenix VA hospital, as well as additional performance issues at other VA facilities across the country. To learn more about the recent legislation, please visit the House Committee on Veterans Affairs website.

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