Cochran Supports Bill that Funds Veterans Programs, Takes on VA Health Care Problems

Press Release

The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved legislation that includes an amendment authored by U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) to address controversies surrounding the Department of Veterans Affairs, problems that he believes undermine the commitments made to veterans.

Cochran voted for passage of the FY2015 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill, which includes funding and policy directives to address the delivery of benefits to veterans. In addition to the Cochran provision, the bill includes additional provisions to investigate problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

"The accusations of falsified reports, mismanagement and indefensibly long delays for veterans seeking medical care are very troubling. These problems undercut the full faith and trust that veterans should have in the commitments that have been made to them," said Cochran, vice chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

"I am pleased with the adoption of my amendment which asks for continued, vigorous oversight by the Department of Veterans Affairs during the implementation of a corrective action plan at the Jackson, Mississippi VA Medical Center," he said. "I will continue to fight to protect and support veterans and their families."

The Cochran amendment is intended to ensure that findings by the VA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) are appropriately resolved in concert with the VA Office of the Undersecretary of Health. The amendment directs the VA Secretary to develop a process subsequent to any OIG investigations for reviewing progress on findings through collaboration with the Office of the Undersecretary for Health.

The committee adopted provisions to address persistent problems within the VA and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans. These provisions include:
* VA Scheduling and Wait Times Allegations: The report includes language directing a nation-wide investigation into methods used to expedite services for veterans. The bill provides $5 million for expanded OIG audits and investigations.
* Claims Processing: The report includes language directing an external audit of the overall VA claims processing business model, including statistics used to demonstrate progress in reducing the claims backlog.
* Performance Bonuses: The bill includes a new provision prohibiting performance bonuses until the OIG completes an audit of scheduling practices and procedures at all VA service networks and submits findings, recommendations, and implementations to Congress.

The overall bill provides $158.6 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for FY2015 to support VA compensation and benefits to veterans, including pensions, education, vocational rehabilitation, life insurance and housing loan programs. This includes $93.5 billion for mandatory programs ($8.8 billion above FY2014 enacted) and $65.1 billion for VA discretionary programs (includes $55.6 billion in previously appropriated advances for veterans medical care, and is $1.85 billion above FY2014 enacted). The bill also provides $58.7 billion in advance appropriations for FY2016 VA medical care.

The bill also provides $63.4 million from the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund to operate and maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C., and the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Miss.

The measure is now cleared for consideration by the Senate. The House of Representatives approved its FY2015 MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill, 416-1, on April 30.

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