Benishek Reacts to Secretary McDonald Testimony on VA Budget Shortfall

Press Release

Secretary Robert McDonald of the Department of Veterans Affairs testified today before the House Veterans Affairs Committee on the nearly $3 billion shortfall that currently exists in the VA's budget. The VA has threatened to close every hospital and clinic across the country unless Congress appropriates new funds to cover their cost overrun.

"Congress will never allow veterans to go without care. The VA, however, must be held accountable for this gross incompetence. Any emergency funding bill must be accompanied by true reforms to how the VA operates. Veterans have earned more than incompetence and obfuscation," said Dr. Dan Benishek, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Veterans Health.

Yesterday evening, the House passed unanimously Dr. Benishek's Veterans Information Modernization Act, a bill that will require the VA to collect and make public basic information on the cost of treating veterans through this system. This transparency measure is designed to ensure that lawmakers and VA officials have access to the information they need to better plan and manage resources.

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