[House Report 116-698]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Union Calendar No. 581
116th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Report 116-698
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON
VETERANS' AFFAIRS
ACTIVITIES REPORT
Submitted in accordance with House Rule XI(1)(D)
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
December 28, 2020.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
42-796 WASHINGTON : 2020
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL
----------
House of Representatives,
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC, December 28, 2020.
Hon. Cheryl L. Johnson,
Clerk of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Clerk: Pursuant to House Rule XI, Clause
1(d)(1), of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, I
hereby submit to the House a report on the legislative and
oversight activities of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
during the 116th Congress.
Sincerely,
Mark Takano,
Chairman.
C O N T E N T S
----------
Membership of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs................. VII
Jurisdiction of the Committee.................................... 1
Oversight Plan................................................... 2
Activities of the Full Committee................................. 22
Activities of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs............................................... 39
Activities of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity........... 47
Activities of the Subcommittee on Health......................... 61
Activities of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations... 71
Activities of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization....... 79
Activities of the Women Veterans Task Force...................... 91
MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
MARK TAKANO, California, Chairman
DAVID P. ROE, M.D., Tennessee, Ranking Member
(16-11)\1\
JULIA BROWNLEY, California GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida
KATHLEEN M. RICE, New York AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,
CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania, Vice- American Samoa
Chairman MIKE BOST, Illinois
MIKE LEVIN, California NEAL P. DUNN, Florida
ANTHONY BRINDISI, New York JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
MAX ROSE, New York JIM BANKS, Indiana
CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire ANDY BARR, Kentucky
ELAINE G. LURIA, Virginia DANIEL MEUSER, Pennsylvania
SUSIE LEE, Nevada CHIP ROY, Texas
JOE CUNNINGHAM, South Carolina W. GREGORY STEUBE, Florida
GILBERT R. CISNEROS, Jr.,
California
COLLIN C. PETERSON, Minnesota
GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN,
Northern Mariana Islands
COLIN Z. ALLRED, Texas
LAUREN UNDERWOOD, Illinois
------
Ray Kelley, Majority Staff Director
Jon Towers, Minority Staff Director
----------
\1\On July 20, 2020, Representative Steve C. Watkins of Kansas resigned
his Committee membership, including the Subcommittees on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Technology Modernization.
Union Calendar No. 581
116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 116-698
======================================================================
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
ACTIVITIES REPORT
_______
December 28, 2020.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Takano, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, pursuant to House
Rule XI(1)(D), submitted the following
R E P O R T
JURISDICTION OF THE COMMITTEE
Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives
establishes the standing Committees of the House and their
jurisdiction. Under that Rule, all bills, resolutions, and
other matters relating to the subjects within the jurisdiction
of any standing Committee shall be referred to such Committee.
Clause 1(s) of rule X establishes the jurisdiction of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs as follows:
(1) Veterans' measures generally.
(2) Cemeteries of the United States in which veterans
of any war or conflict are or may be buried, whether in
the United States or abroad (except cemeteries
administered by the Secretary of the Interior).
(3) Compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and
education of veterans.
(4) Life insurance issued by the Government on account
of service in the Armed Forces.
(5) Pensions of all the wars of the United States,
general and special.
(6) Readjustment of servicemembers to civil life.
(7) Servicemembers' civil relief.
(8) Veterans' hospitals, medical care, and treatment of
veterans.
OVERSIGHT PLAN
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs delegates oversight and
legislative authority to five Subcommittees: Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Economic Opportunity, Health,
Oversight and Investigations, and Technology Modernization. In
accordance with Rule X(2)(d), on March 1, 2019, the Committee
submitted an oversight plan to guide its work in the 116th
Congress. That plan is summarized below.
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
Appeals Reform.--The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
and the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) are responsible for
reviewing a veteran's appeal when there is disagreement with
the decision made by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Regional Office (RO) on an initial benefits claim. In August of
2017, the Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act was signed
into law (P.L. 115-55) in an attempt to reduce the growing
number of appeals, reduce the time veterans waited for a
decision, and streamline the process. After 18 months of
planning and preparation, the Secretary of VA must ``certify''
that the necessary procedures, regulations, staff, and IT are
in place for successful implementation by February 15, 2019. As
a first order of business, the Committee will assess whether
this timeline has been met and whether impediments exist to a
successful and timely roll out of this long-awaited reform. The
Committee also intends to continue the pattern of holding
status hearings at regular intervals so that VA leadership is
held publicly accountable for meeting the goals clearly stated
in the statute to provide fairer, more timely, and more
accurate appeals decisions for veterans, and for soliciting and
incorporating input from Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)
in every aspect of this effort. The Committee intends to
continue past efforts to ensure that all veteran-facing
communications such as decision letters and informational
websites use plain--focus-group-tested--English designed to
provide veterans with a clear understanding of their rights and
the next steps available to them.
VBA Training.--A consistent finding by the VA Office of the
Inspector General (IG) across a wide variety of programs is
that VBA training is generally ineffective and results in many
errors. In the past, VBA's challenge training was poor and did
not adequately prepare examiners to process claims. The VBA
manual is frequently updated, and employees are not required to
undergo new training or open email notifications explaining the
changes. The Committee will conduct oversight of the quality of
current VBA training and how VBA implements new training. If
necessary, it will recommend steps necessary to improve
training, so veterans receive the benefits to which they are
entitled. VA employees who are evaluated through work credits
earned for accuracy and speed--often without adequate training
or time to understand process changes--will be asked directly
for their recommendations for how to improve the training they
receive with the goal of ensuring that the veterans receive
full and fair consideration of the evidence in their claims, so
decisions are not rushed through with only a cursory look. The
Committee will ask VBA to describe ways employee input is
incorporated in the planning and implementation of program
training throughout VBA on an ongoing basis.
Military Sexual Trauma.--The VBA reported that it processed
approximately 12,000 veterans' claims per year for post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to military sexual
trauma (MST) over the last three years. A number of years ago,
VA relaxed the evidentiary requirements and directed claims
processors to look for ``markers'' (i.e., signs, events, or
circumstances) that provide some indication that the traumatic
event happened. In FY 2017, VBA denied about 5,500 or 46
percent of those claims. A review by the IG determined that
nearly half of those were not properly processed in accordance
with VBA policy which may have resulted in the denial of
benefits to victims of MST who may have been entitled to
receive them. Almost immediately after the release of the
report, the Under Secretary for Benefits responded by requiring
enhanced training for clinicians conducting disability exams
for MST-related PTSD claims, all newly-hired claims processors,
and Women Veterans Coordinators and MST Coordinators. The Under
Secretary also announced his intention to revisit whether
separate lanes in only a few ROs should be established so these
complicated claims could be processed by specialized employees.
The Committee intends to closely monitor all aspects of these
and other process changes VA will be using to adjudicate claims
for PTSD as a result of MST. The Committee will also provide
vigorous oversight of the promised reconsideration of many of
the denied claims described in the IG report. The Committee
will also consider whether codification of the current
evidentiary standard might lead to greater consistency and
improved quality for veterans filing MST related claims.
National Cemeteries.--The Committee will continue oversight
of the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Arlington
National Cemetery (ANC), and the American Battle Monuments
Commission (ABMC), to include each organization's mission,
operations, and inquiries into matters of unclaimed remains,
access, and the methodology for determining veteran
satisfaction. Each of the above organizations provides a
hallowed resting place for veterans. VA alone operates over 150
National Cemeteries to provide an honorable resting place for
veterans and certain dependents. While customer service surveys
continue to give the NCA high marks for the services it
provides for veterans and their survivors, the Committee
intends to conduct oversight of the relatively new Legacy
Program to ensure the curricula and instructional materials
produced through NCA contracts with institutions of higher
education are following and meeting the goals of the program.
The Committee will consider proposals to convert from a federal
contract program to a grant program. The Committee will also
oversee whether there is a significant backlog in the Pre-Need
program designed to provide veterans with the assurance before
death of their eligibility for burial benefits. If a
significant backlog exists, the Committee will work with the
NCA until it is eliminated, ensuring a timely and streamlined
funeral process for family members making final arrangements.
Deported Veterans.--VBA has processed roughly one million
disability claims a year for the past five years. A subset of
these claims is from veterans who live outside of the United
States. Veterans living abroad are eligible for the same
disability compensation benefits as domestic veterans. VBA
primarily relies on a specialized team in a Veterans Service
Center to process claims for veterans living abroad, including
obtaining and translating medical evidence and examinations for
these veterans. On average, VBA takes longer to make a
disability determination on claims filed by veterans living
abroad, which is not unexpected given the need to translate
medical information. However, questions have been raised about
whether some veterans living abroad are inappropriately being
denied claims or given lower disability ratings. The Committee
will assess the outcomes of claims for veterans living abroad
and factors that contribute to these outcomes. The Committee
will also determine whether the Secretary should conduct a
review of deported veterans' claims to determine if claims have
been unduly denied because of a misunderstanding of the
regulations as they pertain to deportation. The Committee will
consider a recommendation that the Secretary establish a full-
time position within VA to provide information and support to
deported veterans and guide them through the appropriate steps
in the benefits process. The liaison would also serve as the
point of contact at VA for the Departments of Defense and
Justice on deported veteran policy.
Fiduciary Reform.--The Committee will review the
performance of the VBA Fiduciary Program. The program is
designed to provide financial security to veterans who have
been determined unable to manage their VA benefit payments.
Fiduciaries are designated by VA and can be a family member, a
close friend, or a professional fiduciary. The IG reviewed VA's
Fiduciary Program to determine whether VBA finalized proposed
incompetency determinations in a timely manner. The IG found
delays in final competency determinations completed in the
latter part of 2017. These delays can result in incompetent
beneficiaries receiving ongoing benefits payments without
protection of a VA appointed fiduciary and beneficiaries
waiting longer for withheld retroactive benefits. The Committee
will review legislation that would better enable VBA to protect
and serve veterans in need of fiduciary support, taking
particular interest in a proposal that currently requires site
inspections be replaced in some cases by phone call reviews.
Contract Physicians.--Some veterans require a VA medical
examination as a part of the adjudication of a claim for
disability benefits. Unfortunately, there are not enough VA
examiners to perform these evaluations in a timely manner, and
some veterans experience lengthy delays before VA is able to
schedule such examinations. It may be especially difficult for
VA to timely schedule these examinations if the veteran needs
to see a specialist, such as a cardiologist or orthopedic
surgeon. Moreover, veterans who live in rural areas may have to
travel many miles to a VA facility in order to see a VA
examiner for a disability examination. To provide veterans with
more timely examinations, VA has authority to contract with
independent physicians to conduct disability examinations. The
Committee will look into whether this program is functioning as
intended.
Manila Regional Office.--The authorization for the Manila
Regional Office expires on September 30, 2019. The Committee
will look at whether the Manila Regional Office is providing
effective and efficient services to World War II veterans who
reside in the Philippines.
The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.--The Advisory
Committee on Minority Veterans provides advice to the Secretary
on the administration of VA benefits for veterans who are
minority group members on the topics of health care,
compensation, and other services. The authorization for the
Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans expires on December 31,
2019. The Committee will conduct oversight to make sure that
this program is ensuring that all veterans receive the respect
and services to which they are entitled.
VA Debt Collection Activities.--Section 504 of the Veterans
Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 mandates that VA work with
VSOs to develop a new standard format for notification letters
that, in plain language, clearly explain why such alleged debt
was created, and the steps the veteran can take to dispute or
mitigate the debt. VA is required to notify Congress when the
development of such a letter is complete. If such a letter is
not complete within 90 days of the date of enactment, VA shall
notify Congress and detail the progress of developing the
letter and explain why such a letter is not complete.
Furthermore, VA shall submit a report to Congress every 30 days
thereafter until development of such a letter is complete.
This section would also require the Secretary to develop an
option for individuals to choose to receive notice of a debt by
electronic means. Those individuals who do not elect to receive
electronic notification will receive their letter by standard
mail. Sec. 504 would also require the Secretary to coordinate
with the Secretary of the Treasury to research the number of
veterans who do not receive debt notification letters and
provide a report to Congress detailing the steps VA (working
with the Treasury) can adopt to reduce the number of notices
sent to incorrect addresses and provide a timeline for adopting
such options. The report would also include an estimated cost
of sending debt collection letters via certified mail and an
analysis of the effectiveness of sending notices by certified
mail, among other considerations.
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
Effectiveness of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP).--
The Committee continues to be concerned about the effectiveness
of the TAP program which is intended to prepare servicemembers
for their return to civilian life. The Department of Defense
(DoD), VA, and Department of Labor (DoL) jointly manage and
provide content to the five-day course that focuses on skills
needed to obtain gainful employment as well as an understanding
of the benefits that are available to them from VA and DoL. The
Committee will conduct an oversight hearing with U.S.
Government Accountability Office (GAO), DoD, VA, and DoL to
discuss the recent changes made in the Fiscal Year 2019
National Defense Authorization Act, implementation of those
changes, and how TAP can continue to be enhanced for
transitioning servicemembers and their families. The Committee
will work with the Committees on Armed Services and Education
and Labor to address cross-jurisdictional issues to improve the
TAP program.
Effectiveness and Outcomes of Education and Training
Programs for Returning Veterans.--The Post-9/11 GI bill, which
is administered by VA, is the most generous education program
for veterans since the original World War II GI Bill. Based on
the length of service, the program funds up to full tuition and
fees at public institutions of higher learning and about
$23,600 per year at private institutions as well as a monthly
living stipend based on the housing allowance paid to
servicemembers at the rank of E-5 (with dependents) and the zip
code of the location where the veteran is taking the majority
of their classes. Recent changes to the program have increased
the benefit tiers for servicemembers that serve less than three
years on active duty, restored benefit eligibility for
individuals who attended an institution of higher learning that
closed mid-semester, and expanded eligibility for National
Guard and Reserve Component servicemembers mobilized under
certain orders. The Committee intends to determine how VA is
implementing those changes as well as others included in the
Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017.
Furthermore, as avenues for learning and training continue to
evolve and modernize, the Committee will examine these new
programs and examine the effectiveness of institutions of
higher learning in providing quality education to
servicemembers, veterans, and survivors. In addition, the
Committee will examine outcome measures for users of the Post-
9/11 GI Bill, including graduation rates and job placement
data, to ensure the effectiveness of taxpayers' investment in
veterans' education benefits and identify predatory
institutions targeting servicemembers, veterans, and survivors.
The Committee will work with the State Approving Agencies to
put in place policies that protect student veterans against
predatory or deceitful recruiting practices of schools, such as
providing misinformation about student outcomes or encouraging
veterans to take out unnecessary private student loans.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program.--
VA's VR&E program provides education and training benefits for
disabled veterans with barriers to employment. The program will
fund all costs related to long and short-term education and
training as well as immediate job placement services. VR&E also
manages the Independent Living (IL) program designed to enable
the most severely injured veterans to live as independently as
possible and the Veteran Success on Campus program, which
currently stations VA Vocational Rehabilitation staff at
institutions of higher learning. The Committee continues to be
concerned about counselor caseloads and outcomes of VR&E
programs as well as the administration of the self-employment
track of the VR&E program, which can often result in high
costs. The Committee will conduct oversight over management and
overall effectiveness of the VR&E program.
Loan Guaranty Service.--VA's Loan Guaranty Service provides
a loan guaranty benefit to eligible veterans and
servicemembers, which enables them to purchase a home at a
competitive interest rate often without requiring a down
payment or private mortgage insurance. This benefit is highly
beneficial to veterans, servicemembers, and their families.
Therefore, the Committee plans to conduct oversight of the home
loan program with a focus on the appraisal process as well as a
continued focus on the need for an increased, or eliminated,
cap on the loan limits for a VA-backed loan. The Loan Guaranty
Service also administers grants under the Specially Adapted
Housing (SAH) program and the Special Housing Adaptation (SHA)
program. These grants, provided to eligible veterans with
permanent and total service-connected disabilities, enables the
veteran to adapt their home or construct a new home that allows
them to live in a home that is not obstructive to them due to
their disabilities. These grants are beneficial for the most
severely injured veterans, and the Committee intends to
evaluate the overall grant amounts and what is needed to adapt
a home. The Committee will also examine whether VA can better
interact with and track the contractors that veterans use to
make adaptations to their homes. There is also a smaller grant
under the SAH program, the SAH Assistive Technology (SAHAT)
grant program, which is authorized to award grants up to
$200,000 per fiscal year per grantee to make certain technical
adaptations to the veteran's home, such as voice recognition
operations and adaptive feeding equipment. SAHAT is authorized
$1 million and the authorization expires on September 30, 2020.
The Committee will examine the SAHAT program and how it is
administered.
Adaptive Sports Program.--This program is administered by
VA, which provides grants to qualifying organizations that
provide adaptive sports activities and opportunities at the
local, regional and national levels, including Paralympic
activities, to disabled veterans and servicemembers. This
program is authorized $8 million. The authorization for the
Adaptive Sports Program expires on September 30, 2020. The
Committee will continue to examine how VA awards grants under
this program and the organizations who are receiving funding,
as well as how VA is working with local communities and the
Paralympic community to promote and enhance adaptive sports
programs for disabled veterans and servicemembers.
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
(OSDBU).--VA's OSDBU is responsible for vetting the
applications of veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned
small businesses wanting to participate in the program designed
to increase the amount of procurement dollars spent with
veteran and disabled veteran-owned small businesses. The
Committee will review OSDBU's performance and coordinate with
the Small Business Committee to determine appropriate
alternatives.
Licensing and Credentialing Issues.--DoD spends billions of
tax dollars to provide servicemembers with the skills needed to
complete DoD's mission. The vast majority of those skills
translate well to civilian jobs. Unfortunately, not all states
and institutions of higher learning recognize and give credit
for military training to qualify for state-licensed positions;
therefore, the training provided by DoD is essentially wasted.
The Committee will review efforts by states and other entities
to provide appropriate licenses and credentials to qualified
veterans whose military training make them eligible for such
credentials or licenses, as well as the progress that states
are making to make certain licenses and credentials
transferable across state lines.
Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP).--HVRP is a
program administered by DoL's Veteran Employment and Training
Service (VETS), which provides grants to state and local
workforce investment boards, local public agencies, nonprofit
organizations, and tribal governments, including faith-based
and community organizations. The organizations that compete and
receive these grants provide homeless veterans with
occupational, classroom and on-the-job training as well as job
search and placement assistance. The authorization for HVRP
expires on September 30, 2020. The Committee will examine the
organizations that are receiving these grants as well as
conduct oversight of VETS awarding of these grants, and how the
program can be enhanced at the federal and state levels to
place more homeless veterans in careers. The Committee will
also work with the Committee on Education and Labor to examine
how HVRP harmonizes with other areas of DoL.
Performance of the VETS State Grant program including
performance of the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program
Specialist/ Local Veterans Employment Representative (DVOPS and
LVERs) use of Employment Outcome Measures.--The DVOPS/LVER
program is administered by DoL VETS and funds state employment
service staff dedicated to placing veterans in good-paying
jobs. There are significant issues surrounding the inconsistent
performance of this program across the states and the outcome
measures used to determine performance continue to be
inadequate. The Committee will continue to review this program
and the performance outcomes of DVOPS and LVERs as well as
conduct oversight of the National Veterans' Training Institute
(NVTI), which trains DVOPS and LVERs on job placement and
training skills for veterans.
Homeless Veterans.--The Committee will thoroughly examine
the actions VA has taken to reduce veteran homelessness by
providing homeless and at-risk veterans with appropriate
housing and supportive services. The Committee will examine the
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and Housing and
Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-
VASH) programs and will work to ensure that the progress VA has
made in lessening the number of veterans who are homeless
continues to be successful and sustainable and VA efforts
address the myriad factors that underlie veteran homelessness,
rather than just increased housing opportunities. The Committee
will also continue to oversee VA's integration efforts to
support vulnerable veterans by facilitating access to benefits,
care, and services.
Subcommittee on Health
Implementation of VA's Community Care Networks.--The
Committee will work with VA to ensure the development of
Community Care Networks align with congressional intent behind
passage of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and
Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of
2018. The MISSION Act is intended to reform delivery of VA
community care and expand the Caregiver Support Program to
include veterans of all eras. It is estimated to cost roughly
$47 billion over five years by the Congressional Budget Office.
As part of the Committee's work, it will consider responsible
funding mechanisms which failed to be included in the MISSION
Act. This would prevent VA from being forced to cut funding to
other VA programs--including healthcare provided in VA
facilities--to pay for more expensive, lower quality, and less
culturally competent services available in the private sector.
Multiple studies have found that VA delivers a higher quality
of healthcare than its private sector counterparts. The
Committee will consider actions to preserve and continually
improve veterans' access to high-quality, VA healthcare.
Additionally, the Committee will work more closely with VSOs to
ensure VA's Community Care Networks operate according to the
desires of the nation's approximately 20 million veterans.
Health Equity.--The Committee will consider measures to
ensure all eligible veterans, regardless of social or physical
disparities, are allowed the opportunity to participate in the
nation's most advanced, qualified, and culturally competent
healthcare system designed to serve them: the Veterans Health
Administration (VHA). According to multiple authorities such as
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health
inequities can result in lower life expectancy, lower quality
of life, higher rates of disease, disability, death, and other
adverse health outcomes. The Committee is committed to ensuring
all veterans are allowed the opportunity to access physicians
and treatments in environments that are welcoming and safe,
regardless of social determinants of health.
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.--The Committee will
continue to closely monitor VA's mental health and suicide
prevention efforts. In 2018, VA was found to have
misrepresented the number of veterans included in its annual
suicide data report as it apparently included both active duty
service members and never-before activated national guardsmen
and women. Additionally, the GAO found that in 2018, VA's
suicide prevention outreach activities declined significantly
after four consecutive years of increases. Due to the critical
nature of this issue, the Committee is committed to continuing
oversight of VA's current suicide prevention activities and
supporting VA's Innovative research in this area, such as the
development of the Recovery Engagement and Coordination for
Health--Veterans Enhanced Treatment (REACHVET) technology
created in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health.
Pain and Medication Management and Complementary and
Integrative Health.--The Committee will continue to examine the
increased use of prescription medications to treat veterans
experiencing acute and chronic pain. Effective pain management
is a critical issue for the veteran population as data suggests
veterans are a particularly high-risk population for
prescription misuse, substance use disorder, accidental
overdose, accidents, and/or self-inflicted injury. Recent
studies have shown that veterans with the highest-risk
conditions are also the most likely to receive the highest-
dose, highest-risk opioid therapies. By working with the
medical community and veterans, the Committee will pursue
reasonable alternatives to opioid usage that promote healing,
reduce negative side effects associated with opioid usage, and
allow veterans to understand and determine the best method of
pain management that works for them. Additionally, the
Committee will encourage access to integrative healthcare to
ensure veterans' treatment options are not limited to
pharmacological interventions.
Expansion of the Program for Comprehensive Assistance for
Family Caregivers.--As part of the MISSION Act, Congress
authorized, but did not fund, an expansion of the Program for
Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (``Caregiver
Program'') so that family caregivers for veterans of all eras
could access the increased support formerly available only to
veterans who served after September 11, 2001. The Committee
will consider measures to ensure implementation and expansion
of the Caregiver Program aligns with congressional intent that
current eligibility requirements be preserved and expanded to
all eras. The Committee will also oversee the implementation of
the IT system for the Caregiver Program which was originally
mandated as part of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health
Services Act of 2010 and again mandated as part of the VA
MISSION Act of 2018. The Committee will consider measures to
increase both Congressional support for the program and
accountability measures related to implementation and expansion
of the Caregiver Program.
Anywhere to Anywhere Telehealth Services.--The Committee
will consider measures to support and advance VA's 2018
`Anywhere to Anywhere' initiative. The initiative is an effort
by VA to expand access to healthcare through Remote
technologies such as Real-Time and Store-and-Forward
Telehealth, as well as services that allow veterans to access
telehealth technologies from their homes. As part of the
Committee's work, it will focus on the accessibility and
usability of these services by both rural providers and
veteran-patients.
Long-Term Support and Services.--The Committee will assess
VA's broad array of Long-Term Support and Services (LTSS) to
ensure eligible veterans have access to the most up-to-date
methods of care delivery. It is projected that by 2030, one in
five Americans will be a senior citizen. VA's VetPop 2016
Projection Model indicates that while the entire veteran
population is expected to decrease from 20 million in 2017 to
13.6 million in 2037, the baby boomer generation (born 1946-
1964), will continue to be a substantial percentage of the
total population. Within VA, LTSS refers to both home and
community-based services (HCBS) as well as institution-based
services. While VA has developed a network of institution-based
services consisting of VA Community Living Centers, State
Veterans Homes, and contracted nursing homes, VA must now work
to develop a network of HCBS. The Committee will consider
measures that promote a balance of institutional and non-
institutional based services able to support the growing aging
veteran population.
Healthcare for Homeless Veterans.--The Committee will
continue to combat veteran homelessness by considering measures
that increase homeless and at-risk veterans' access to
healthcare and services provided by both VA and its community
partners. As part of this work, the Committee looks to empower
and support each Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)
Homeless Coordinator to conduct aggressive outreach and develop
strong community partnerships within each VISN's catchment
area.
VA Research.--The Committee will oversee VA's medical and
prosthetic research program to identify and eliminate
redundancies and ensure the dissemination of best practices and
a focus on veteran-centric research. VA's Office of Research
and Development was established in 1925 to fulfill VA's mission
to ``to discover knowledge and create innovations that advance
healthcare for veterans and the Nation.'' The Committee intends
to promote this goal by supporting research into the areas most
likely to enhance the quality and delivery of healthcare to
veterans, such as the effects of hazardous exposures on
veterans and their families and efficacy of medicinal cannabis
to treat medical conditions specific and non-specific to the
veteran population.
Enhanced Efficiency through Predictability.--Although the
Committee understands that some programs, during their infancy,
should not be made permanent, many temporarily authorized VA
programs have proven essential to improving veterans' health
and should be made permanent. Permanent authority for programs
such as the Child Care Pilot Program and Transportation Grants
for Veteran Service Organization (both expected to expire
September 30, 2019) would likely increase veterans' confidence
that these services will be available as needed and would also
increase the efficiency of these programs by allowing for long
term planning and permanent funding. The Committee plans to
assess temporary programs and determine whether they should be
made permanent.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
VA Inspector General (IG) Budget and Performance.--The
Committee will review the budget of the IG and review how VA
uses the recommendations of the IG to increase efficiency and
effectiveness in providing services to veterans. The Committee
will also examine the IG's current resources versus workload to
confirm that the IG has the resources to investigate hotline
complaints, congressional requests, and conduct routine
inspections and audits. The Committee will also closely monitor
whether the IG is granted access to VA documents, information,
and employees when requested and act to ensure the IG has the
access and authority to conduct its investigations,
inspections, and audits.
Improper Influence by Non-Government Actors and Government
Transparency.--The Committee will investigate instances of non-
government actors attempting to improperly influence the
execution of VA's mission. It will also examine VA's adherence
to federal laws preventing corruption, political influence,
private entities' improper influence on the VA, and government
transparency, including the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the
Hatch Act, and the Freedom of Information Act.
Whistleblowers.--Whistleblowers continue to be a vital
source of accurate and timely information. Protecting an
employee's legal right to communicate with Congress and report
to the IG alleged violations of laws, rules or regulations,
waste, abuse, mismanagement, and safety issues is essential for
investigations and effective oversight of the executive branch.
Despite passage of the Accountability and Whistleblower
Protection Act of 2017 (Accountability Act), the Office of
Special Counsel (OSC) reports that over 40 percent of its
whistleblower retaliation complaints originate from VA, and the
Committee has observed an increase in the number of
whistleblower complaints to Congress. The Committee will
examine the implementation of the Accountability Act, including
the implementation and operations of the Office of
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, and its
effectiveness at assisting whistleblowers and investigating
complaints.
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.--The Committee will
continue to closely monitor VA's mental health and suicide
prevention efforts. In December 2018, GAO found that VHA
suicide prevention outreach declined significantly since 2016
due to lack of leadership and significant turnover. Of the $6.2
million obligated for suicide prevention paid media, VHA had
spent only $57,000 of its paid media budget as of September
2018. Furthermore, a September 2018 IG report found that a
veteran who committed suicide in the parking lot of a VA
medical facility had not received coordination of treatment
during discharge, including adequate documentation of access to
firearms. As veteran suicides in VA medical facility parking
lots increase, the Committee will examine VA's top clinical
priority and its efforts to provide mental and behavioral
health treatment to veterans in crisis, including VA's decision
to stop publishing the statistic that 20 veterans and military
servicemembers commit suicide every day, stalled implementation
of the President's January 2018 Executive Order, ``Supporting
our Veterans During their Transition from Uniformed Service to
Civilian Life,'' and VA's failure to effectively notify
veterans of the mental health services it offers.
Government Accountability Office High Risk List (HRL).--VHA
has been on the HRL since 2015. The five areas of concern GAO
identified when it decided to place VHA on the HRL are: (1)
ambiguous policies and inconsistent processes, (2) inadequate
oversight and accountability, (3) information technology (IT)
challenges, (4) inadequate training for VA staff, and (5)
unclear resource needs and allocation priorities. According to
GAO, VHA has not made demonstrable progress towards removal
from the HRL. GAO has five criteria for removal: (1) leadership
commitment, (2) capacity, (3) action plan, (4) monitoring, and
(5) demonstrated progress. The Committee is concerned that root
causes have yet to be identified and appropriately analyzed,
plans to remove VHA from the HRL have not been sufficiently
developed, and actions have not been taken according to plans.
VHA has been without an Under Secretary for Health since
January 2017, demonstrating a lack of senior leadership
commitment towards VHA's removal.
VA's Acquisition Process.--VA continues to spend more than
$20 billion annually for the procurement of pharmaceuticals,
medical and surgical supplies, prosthetic devices, information
technology, construction, and services. VA faces significant
organizational and workforce challenges, which prevents it from
implementing a more efficient, effective, and coordinated
acquisition function. The Committee will continue to scrutinize
and pursue possible legislative remedies to address VA's
procurement practices and functions that place the program at
risk. These practices include: lack of inventory controls at VA
medical centers, over-reliance on and misuse of purchase cards,
failure to include clinicians and end-users in the procurement
process, failure to notify and train the VA contracting
workforce on changes to policies, directives, and regulations,
and failure to comply with the Veterans First Contracting
Program.
Prescription of Opioids and Treatment for Pain.--The
Committee will scrutinize VA's medication prescription program,
its opioid safety initiative, substance abuse treatment
programs, and access to alternative chronic and acute pain
treatments. The Committee will continue to monitor access to
medication assisted treatment at VA medical facilities,
adherence to the opioid safety initiative and best practices
for reducing the prescription of opioids, training of
clinicians on safe prescribing practices, and VHA participation
in states' prescription drug monitoring programs. It will also
continue its oversight work to prevent drug diversion within
VHA facilities including the review of VHA's policies for
tracking and managing controlled substances, and compliance
with inspection requirements.
VHA Police.--The Committee will conduct oversight of police
at VHA facilities. In 2018, the IG found that governance of the
VA police program at VA medical facilities was inadequate. VA
lacks central oversight of VA police programs at medical
facilities and mechanisms to prevent or address civil rights
violations, abuse, or misconduct caused by VA police. The IG
also found significant understaffing and inadequate staffing
models at VA medical facilities. The Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick
Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 also mandated a GAO study
on staffing accountability, reporting and chain of command
structure of VA police at VA medical centers that is expected
to be published this Congress. The Committee will determine
whether legislative remedies are needed to bring greater
accountability to the VA police force, prevent real or
perceived conflicts of interest, and provide avenues of redress
for those whose rights have been violated by VA police.
Sexual Harassment at VA.--According to a 2018 Merit Systems
Protection Board study on sexual harassment in the federal
workforce, VA had the second highest rate of employees
experiencing sexual harassment in the federal government.
However, no significant actions have been taken by VA leaders
to address sexual harassment. The Committee will conduct fact
finding to examine the high rate of sexual harassment in the
VA, develop solutions to prevent and address sexual harassment,
facilitate an environment in which victims feel comfortable
reporting sexual harassment, empower employees and supervisors
to intervene when sexual harassment is witnessed or reported,
and hold VA leaders accountable for non-action.
VA Administration, VA Employee Adverse Actions, and Federal
Labor Protections.--The Committee will continue its oversight
of disciplinary actions taken against VA employees, including
the disproportionate removal of lower level VA employees in
comparison to supervisors and senior VA employees. The
Committee will also review whether VA employees subject to
adverse actions receive due process--including access to
representation. The Committee will examine whether the
Accountability Act has been implemented according to
congressional intent and whether it has achieved its desired
outcome to address poor employee performance and discipline
employees for misconduct, clean up toxic work environments that
exist within VA, and hold leaders accountable for non-action or
contributing to toxic work environments.
Chronic Understaffing.--According to figures released in
February 2019, VA currently has 48,985 staff vacancies
throughout the Department. Almost 43,000 of those vacancies are
in VHA. The Committee will examine VA's efforts to hire
employees to address access to healthcare at VA facilities and
process benefits claims and appeals. It will also examine high
attrition rates and lack of training for human resources
employees and recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes for
VA employees. Finally, the Committee will also review rates of
pay and other recruitment and retention incentives and
programs.
Office of the Medical Inspector.--Questionable findings
released by the VA Office of the Medical Inspector (OMI) in
three separate congressionally-requested reviews or
investigations require the Committee to examine the OMI's
processes and methods for conducting reviews and inspections at
VA medical facilities. The Committee will also examine whether
the OMI is resourced appropriately due to significant demands
placed on the office from the OSC, IG, and VHA.
Next Generation-Medical Surgical Prime Vendor Program (NG-
MSPV).--NG-MSPV is the largest procurement program in VA. It is
an effort to develop a medical-surgical product formulary for
use by VHA clinicians and achieve major cost savings by buying
in bulk. This program has been hampered by a lack of
leadership, resources, clinician involvement, outdated IT
systems, and an inability to award the necessary contracts in a
timely fashion. The Committee will continue examining VA's
implementation effort, including VA's failure to follow the
Veterans First Contracting Program during development of the
formulary, and other significant challenges faced by the VA
contracting organization.
Construction.--The Committee will closely monitor remaining
construction projects designed or commenced before the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) involvement through
completion. The Committee will also monitor the relationship
between the VA and USACE to ensure cooperation and coordination
between the agencies and improve VA's activation of newly built
hospitals.
Leasing.--Leasing land and buildings for new VHA facilities
is fraught with delays and challenges. Leasing is carried out
through a complicated interplay of the VA Central Office, the
Government Services Administration, local offices, and real
estate broker contractors. Jurisdictional battles within VA,
poor management of broker contracts, and previous delays in
congressional authorization have contributed to inefficiencies
and delays in the system. The Committee will work to uncover
the root causes of these problems.
Payment of Community Providers.--VA continues to struggle
with its failure to promptly pay community providers. This is
caused in part by a failure to implement updates to its
software, reliance on dozens of decentralized claims processing
centers, and inefficient manual adjudication processes. The
Committee will continue to evaluate the root causes of VA's
payment deficiencies and consider remedial actions to improve
efficiency.
Improper and Overpayments for Care in the Community.--In
2017 and 2018, IG audits determined that VA was overcharged
$140 million from November 2014 to March 2017 by third party
community care contract administrators. These third-party
administrators are under civil and criminal investigation for
excessive, duplicative, or improper claims, and wire fraud and
misused government funds. The Committee will conduct fact-
finding into whether VA was overcharged and oversee VA's
efforts to recoup any improperly paid claims.
Unauthorized or Expiring Authorities.--The Committee will
conduct oversight regarding unauthorized appropriations and
expiring authorizations under the Committee's jurisdiction to
identify those in need of authorization.
Subcommittee on Technology Modernization
Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM).--The VA
signed a contract in May 2018 to procure the Cerner Millennium
EHR system. The implementation is expected to take at least ten
years, cost over $16 billion, and be interoperable with the
Department of Defense (DoD) MHS Genesis system and community
providers' systems. The initial implementation of the system is
scheduled for March 2020 in VISN 20 (Washington State). The
Committee will monitor all aspects of implementation of the
EHRM, including governance and accountability, cost, schedule,
clinical impact, testing and evaluation, and interoperability,
among other areas.
Veterans Health Information System Technology Architecture
(VistA) Sustainment.--Because EHRM is expected to take over a
decade to implement, the VA will need to sustain the existing
VistA system at a projected cost of nearly $20 billion over ten
years. Future implementation sites will need a functioning
VistA system throughout the implementation period. The VA is
expected to develop a sustainment plan but has not yet done so
and is continuing to implement changes (or ``builds'') to VistA
as needed. The Committee will monitor efforts to create the
sustainment plan and review how the VA manages VistA during
EHRM implementation.
Financial Management System Modernization.--The VA
continues to move forward with the Financial Management
Business Transformation (FMBT) project, although significant
work remains to be done. The project will replace a 30-year-old
COBOL-based system and is estimated to cost $2.3 billion over
ten years. The Committee will monitor the program as it moves
through the analysis and requirements development phase and
will review the VA's acquisition plans.
Enterprise Investments.--VA IT has been on GAO's HRL since
2015, and modernization plans are currently in development as
part of VA's effort to be removed from the list. The Committee
will evaluate the final modernization plans to assess how they
address GAO's concerns, as well as gauge whether VA's
modernization efforts address enterprise-wide technology
deficits instead of leading to further siloing of investments.
IT Workforce Investments.--VA has lost internal capacity to
develop and manage its technology portfolio and has become
heavily reliant on contractor support. VA officials have plans
to staff up program offices to address some of this deficit,
but it is not clear that there is a comprehensive workforce
plan or whether future budget submissions will address this
shortfall. The Committee will monitor VA's efforts to rebuild
its technology expertise and assess whether workforce staffing
plans will meet technology implementation needs and
modernization plans.
Scheduling System Acquisition.--In January 2019, VA
announced a decision to not move forward with its scheduling
system pilot--described as very successful--and will instead
acquire a Cerner scheduling system that will be implemented
over a two-year period. VA officials have provided little
information about the decision and how it will impact EHRM
implementation. The Committee will assess VA's decision-making
process on the pilot project and will assess its implementation
across the enterprise and its impacts on the EHRM program.
Cybersecurity, Data Management, and Privacy.--The
acquisition of new IT systems by VA will prompt many questions
about cybersecurity and data management. In addition, the
implementation of EHRM will have implications for the
protection of veteran health information and will need further
assessment for cyber risks due to the interoperable environment
for the system. VA has yet to deliver a cybersecurity strategy
for EHRM to the Committee. The Committee will monitor and
review the development of strategies and governance plans
related to cybersecurity. The Committee will also assess how
modernization efforts comply with other statutory requirements,
such as the annual Federal Information Security Modernization
Act (FISMA) audit.
Healthcare Innovation through Technology Modernization.--VA
has often led in healthcare innovation and the modernization
projects present opportunities to engage in more innovation.
The Committee will assess how innovation is being built into
technology acquisitions and whether it is being executed in
meaningful ways across the VA enterprise.
Minority Views
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
Rule X of the House of Representatives for the 116th
Congress no longer requires committees to adopt oversight plans
in an open meeting. Rule X now requires the Chairman, in
consultation with the ranking member, to prepare an oversight
plan; circulate the plan among committee members for at least
seven days before filing the plan; and gives members the right
to submit additional views. What follows are additional views
for the Committee's proposed oversight plan for the 116th
Congress.
The Committee's oversight activities must prioritize
oversight of the department's implementation of
transformational programs enacted during the 115th Congress.
Specifically, during the 115th Congress, Congress passed, and
the president signed into law, several major pieces of
legislation to improve the benefits and services provided to
veterans and their families. This legislation included: the VA
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, the
Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, the
Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017,
and the VA MISSION Act of 2018. Additionally, in May 2018 the
department embarked on a 10-year and $16.1 billion program to
modernize its electronic health record. Although I largely
support the majority's proposed oversight plan, I offer the
following suggestions to improve the plan.
SUBCOMMITTEE ON DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AND MEMORIAL AFFAIRS
VBA Quality Review.--VA employs a variety of mechanisms to
review the quality of initial claims decisions. For example,
one of VBA's main tools to review the accuracy of claim
decisions is the Systematic Technical Accuracy Review (STAR)
checklist. The checklist has a very restrictive category of
what constitutes an ``error,'' and a more expansive category of
what would be considered a ``comment,'' which is why VA claims
a 98 percent accuracy rating despite many complaints by
veterans and Congress as to the quality of decisions. Moreover,
by allowing quality reviewers to simply comment on many errors,
VA can sidestep actually holding employees accountable for
inaccuracies. Additionally, recent VA Office of Inspector
General (OIG) reports on reevaluations, intent to files, and
post-traumatic stress disorder claims based on military sexual
trauma found that VA's quality control procedures did not
identify that employees were making systematic errors and,
therefore, VA failed to develop and update training and
guidance to prevent these errors in the future. The Committee
should investigate how VBA has designed its quality review
measures, to what extent that design yields accurate results,
and whether VA's quality controls are sufficient to locate
deficiencies in training and guidance.
Toxic and Environmental Exposures Benefits.--Veterans have
raised questions about the negative effects that in-service
toxic and environmental exposures, such as mustard gas/
lewisite, herbicides, and burn pits may have had on certain
health outcomes. To address some of the concerns, VA has been
contracting with the National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine),
a non-governmental organization, to scientifically review
evidence on the long-term health effects of toxic and
environmental exposures. The Committee should review VA's
responses to these reports to ensure that veterans who were
exposed to toxic and environmental exposures receive all the
benefits they have earned, and whether there are opportunities
for VA and DOD to conduct additional research to help address
whether these exposures are causing disabilities in veterans
that should be subject to VA compensation.
VA Compliance with Brady Act Reporting Requirements.--Under
the Brady Act, VA is required to report the names of veterans
and beneficiaries who it adjudicates as in need of a fiduciary
to manage their finances. The Committee should investigate the
department's compliance with this reporting requirement and the
impact that proposed changes to the Brady Act will have on
veterans' Second Amendment rights.
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Effectiveness of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)--I
share the majority's interest in TAP. In its review of the TAP
program, however, the Committee should also work with the
Committee on Small Business to review the ``Boots to Business''
track of the TAP program that provides transitioning
servicemembers training on entrepreneurship. The Committee
should examine ways to connect transitioning servicemembers to
community-based organizations that can assist them in accessing
training and services in the community where they transitioning
to after service. The Committee should also examine how to help
create and implement meaningful and statistically valid outcome
measures to validate whether TAP is meeting the needs of
transitioning servicemembers.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)--I share
the majority's interest in VR&E. The Committee should also
examine VA's efforts to modernize the IT systems for
administering the VR&E benefit. Last Congress, the Committee
uncovered that VA had paid over $12 million to a third party
contractor to create a new case management system to help VR&E
counselors track participants. This system was poorly designed
and VA ultimately determined that the system was unsalvageable.
Now VA has decided to purchase a commercial off the shelf
system along with other IT upgrades to meet the original
requirements of the case management system. The Committee
should continue to closely monitor VA's effort and ensure that
no additional money is wasted on updating this critical system
for administering VR&E benefits. The Committee should also
continue to monitor the implementation of the VR&E longitudinal
study and look for ways to better quantify VR&E outcomes.
VBA IT Infrastructure--In addition to the aforementioned
issues with the VR&E case management system, the Committee
should continue to be concerned with VBA's aging IT
infrastructure. The age and performance of the myriad systems
that are required to process a Post 9/11 GI Bill claim warrants
further attention as well as VBA's efforts to retire and
modernize these systems. In addition, the Committee should
continue its oversight of VA's creation of an IT system to
implement sections 107 and 501 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans
Educational Assistance Act of 2017.
Home Loan Limits--The Committee should investigate whether
the statutory conforming loan for the VA Home Loan Guaranty
Program is limiting qualified participants' ability to use this
benefit.
SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.--I share the
majority's interest in mental health and suicide prevention.
The Committee also should continue aggressive oversight of VA's
mental health programming and associated funding, to include
the Readjustment Counseling Service. The Committee should also
continue overseeing VA's implementation of Public Law 114-2,
the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act,
which--among other things--requires VA to partner with
community organizations to improve the transition process for
veterans.
Capital Asset and Infrastructure Review.--The Committee
must continue aggressive oversight of VA's documentation of
major medical facility construction and leasing program needs
and the market assessments needed to fully analyze and define
the veteran population distribution and community support
capacity as that overlays VA's vast and aging capital asset
footprint.
VHA Organizational Structure.--The Committee should
continue its examination of how the Veterans Health
Administration (VHA) defines Veteran Integrated Service
Networks (VISN) roles and responsibilities, including managing
and overseeing VA medical centers and to what extent VISNs vary
in implementing those roles and responsibilities--to include
data reporting and monitoring/enforcing compliance with
directives. It should continue to press VA to establish
staffing models for all lines of care. With a current growth
rate of approximately two to three percent per year, it is not
clear whether the VA is prioritizing hiring against certain
critical care shortages.
For example, a 2016 Government Accountability Office report
on VA's human capital management found that VHA suffers from
limited human resources capacity and weak internal control
practices, both of which have undermined VA's ability to
improve the delivery of care to veteran patients. The Committee
should continue to closely monitor VHA's HR Management
Modernization effort and assess how that effort improves
staffing and hiring practices. The Committee should also
continue monitoring clinical productivity and efficiency
throughout the VA healthcare system following a 2017 finding by
the Government Accountability Office regarding significant
barriers and limitations with respect to the metrics and models
that VA uses to assess productivity and efficiency in VA
medical facilities.
VA Research.--I share the majority's interest in VA
research. The Committee should continue to promote the
advancement of treatment and care for women through dedicated
research focusing on the effects of combat and environmental
exposure that may result in gender-specific physiological
disabilities--with particular emphasis on the reproductive,
endocrine, and immune systems.
Rural Veterans.--The Committee should assess VA's efforts
to provide timely and accessible care to veterans in rural and
hard-to-reach areas through tools like telehealth, community
partnerships, and other means. The VA Mission Act included
numerous provisions specifically designed to bolster
underserved areas and facilities, recruit providers willing to
serve in rural areas, and increase access for rural veterans
and the Committee should work to ensure these provisions are
implemented as intended.
Impact of Medicare for All.--Legislation has been
introduced in the House of Representatives to expand Medicare
to all Americans. While initial reports indicate that the
Department of Veterans Affairs will be permitted to operate,
such significant restructuring of the health care market is
bound to impact the department. Therefore, the Committee must
investigate the potential impact an expansion of Medicare will
have on the department and health care services provided to
veterans.
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS
Accountability.--I share the majority's interest in
continued oversight of these issues. The Committee should
continue its oversight over the implementation of the Veterans
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. While
VA data indicates that the total number of adverse actions
against VA employees increased following passage of the Act, it
does not necessarily support the claim that VA is disciplining
lower lever employees at a higher rate than before the Act. The
Committee should review how VA managers are using the new
accountability measures authorized by this law. Further, the
Committee should also review the operations of the Office of
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP). This review
should include the office's staffing levels, budget, and
adherence to law that created this office.
VA Administration, VA Employee Adverse Actions, and Federal
Labor Protections.--I share the majority's interest in
continued oversight of these issues. The Committee should
continue its oversight over the implementation of the Veterans
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. While
VA data indicates that the total number of adverse actions
against VA employees increased following passage of the Act, it
does not necessarily support the claim that VA is disciplining
lower lever employees at a higher rate than before the Act. The
Committee should review how VA managers are using the new
accountability measures authorized by this law. Further, the
Committee should also review the operations of the Office of
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP). This review
should include the office's staffing levels, budget, and
adherence to law that created this office.
Additionally, the Committee must investigate the impact
that collective bargaining agreements have on the department's
operations. In 2018, the department determined that medical
personnel were no longer eligible for taxpayer funded official
time. As a result, VA returned nearly 430 clinician positions
to full-time veteran patient care. VA estimated the cost of the
taxpayer funded union time of those clinicians to be nearly $49
million annually. As the Committee reviews federal labor
protections at the department, it must fully understand the
costs--both monetary and opportunity--of taxpayer funded union
time and collective bargaining at VA.
Affiliations Agreements.--The Committee should continue to
investigate the relationship of VA medical facilities and
personnel with affiliated medical institutions, especially
academic centers and those involved in research. The Committee
should also evaluate the extent to which agreements between
these entities promote an efficient allocation of VA resources
for the welfare and health care of veterans. Further, the
Committee should analyze VA's contracted care with academic
affiliates in order to monitor the negotiation of costs for
services and payment amounts to affiliates for medical and
dental services.
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION
Healthcare Innovation and Interoperability.--Beyond
overseeing EHRM implementation, the Committee should work to
ensure that VA adequately plans for and pursues the modernized
enterprise data and analytics capabilities, clinical
interoperability platform, and open-application program
interfaces (APIs) that are necessary to benefit from
advancements in the health information technology marketplace
and achieve the comprehensive interoperability solution that is
needed. This approach decreases risk to the EHRM program and
maximizes enterprise value for veterans. VA has in the past
primarily pursued analytics capabilities focused on business
intelligence, and such technologies now in use in the
department are fundamentally the same as those available in the
early 2000s. The Committee should advocate expanding VA's
clinical orchestration platforms, proactive standardization of
Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) workflows, limited
modifications to VistA and CPRS where necessary to allow open-
API-based applications to function in the CPRS workflows. It
should also advocate for the creation of interoperable content,
and the acquisition of third party web applications, with the
goal of maintaining the enterprise-wide standard of care during
the Cerner implementation and reducing EHRM implementation
risk.
Financial Management System Modernization.--I share the
majority's interest in the financial management system
modernization. The Financial Management Business Transformation
(FMBT) program seeks to replace VA's legacy core financial
management system and related financial, accounting, and
administrative software with one modern, commercial, integrated
system. The Committee should be concerned that FMBT, which is
now entering its third year, lacks direction and firm
requirements. To date, the program has relied on voluntary
commitments from the various organizational units of the
department to replace individual software packages. The
Committee should also be concerned that FMBT's initial
implementation cost estimate of $400 million has increased to a
lifecycle cost estimate of over $2.3 billion in the relatively
short time since its inception. The Committee should continue
monitoring the program aggressively and base its oversight on
the imperative that VA demonstrates meaningful new capabilities
are being implemented over a timeline that corresponds to the
department's functional needs.
Enterprise Investments.--I share the majority's interest in
enterprise investments but note that VA information technology,
specifically, is not presently on the GAO High Risk list. It
appears that the majority is referring to VA's repeat Federal
Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) audit findings.
VA's FISMA auditor continues to document many of the same
findings since the annual audit commenced in 2015. Relatedly,
VA is included within the GAO's ``Improving the Management of
IT Acquisitions and Operations'' High Risk List area, which
pertains to the federal government in general. Many of the
Office of Information and Technology's information technology
modernization initiatives are integral to the department's
efforts to resolve the audit findings. The Committee will
continue to evaluate such modernization initiatives in the
context of their effectiveness in addressing the FISMA audit
and federal-wide IT management weaknesses, which necessitates
an enterprise-wide approach rather than further siloing of
investments.
IT Workforce Investments.--I share the majority's concern
about the Office of Information and Technology's increasing
reliance on contractors but believe attributing the
organization's problems to this alone is incorrect and
recommend a more holistic oversight approach. The Office of
Information and Technology's internal capacity to develop and
manage its technology portfolio and has become severely
degraded. Rapid turnover, low morale, the dispersed nature of
the workforce, and the resulting escalating reliance on support
contractors to manage even core operations are contributing
factors. While the department has demonstrated some plans to
prioritize staffing program offices, and has utilized the U.S.
Digital Service in an exemplary and effective manner, it is not
clear that there is a comprehensive workforce plan to address
the deficit, or that budget planning reflects such a workforce
plan. The Committee should continue to monitor VA's efforts to
rebuild its technology expertise and assess whether workforce
staffing plans will meet technology implementation needs and
modernization plans.
Scheduling System Acquisition.--I share the majority's
interest in the scheduling system implementation and add that
in December 2018, VA announced its decision not to expand its
Columbus, Ohio scheduling system pilot. Instead, the department
will continue to acquire the Cerner Millennium scheduling
package and implement it on an accelerated three-year timeline,
as a component critical path in the EHRM integrated master
schedule. Despite continuous Committee oversight of the matter,
VA officials have provided little to no information about how
this decision will be carried out or how it will impact the
larger EHRM program. Therefore, the Committee should assess
VA's decision making process, the adequacy of the department's
planning for the accelerated scheduling implementation, and its
impacts.
Creation of Women Veterans Task Force
In the 116th Congress, the Committee authorized the
creation of a bipartisan Women Veterans Task Force to focus on
issues related to ensuring equity in access to care and
benefits for women veterans.
ACTIVITIES OF THE FULL COMMITTEE
BUSINESS MEETINGS
Full Committee Business Meeting--Organization of the 116th
Congress. On February 13, 2019, the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs met to formally organize the Committee's membership and
to adopt the rules of the Committee for the 116th Congress.
Full Committee Business Meeting. On June 20, 2019, the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs met to assign Representative
Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan of Northern Mariana Islands to
the Subcommittee on Health.
Full Committee Business Meeting. On September 18, 2019, the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs met to authorize the Women
Veterans Task Force.
Full Committee Business Meeting. On March 12, 2020, the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs met to reauthorize the Women
Veterans Task Force.
Full Committee Business Meeting. On September 10, 2020, the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs met to reauthorize the Women
Veterans Task Force.
Full Committee Business Meeting. On December 2, 2020, the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs met to consider the adoption of
a report prepared by the Committee, entitled ``Hijacking Our
Heroes: Exploiting Veterans Through Disinformation on Social
Media.''
MARKUPS
Full Committee Markup. On May 8, 2019, the Full Committee
held a markup on A.N.S. to H.R. 299, the ``Blue Water Navy
Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019''; A.N.S. to H.R. 2385, to permit
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a grant program
to conduct cemetery research and produce educational materials
for the Veterans Legacy Program; A.N.S. to H.R. 1988, the
``Protect Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act''; A.N.S. to
H.R. 2372, the ``Veterans'' Care Quality Transparency Act'';
A.N.S. to H.R. 2340, the ``FIGHT Veteran Suicides Act''; A.N.S.
to H.R. 2359, the ``Whole Veteran Act''; H.R. 2333, the
``Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act''; H.R. 1126,
the ``Honoring Veterans Families Act''; H.R. 2045, the ``VET
OPP Act''; H.R. 1200, the ``Veterans'' Compensation Cost-of-
Living Adjustment Act''; H.R. 1199, the ``VA Website
Accessibility Act''; H.R. 95, the ``Homeless Veteran Families
Act''; H.R. 2109, the ``BRAVE Act''; H.R. 2196, to amend title
38, United States Code, to reduce the credit hour requirement
for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program of the
Department of Veterans Affairs; H.R. 2326, the ``Navy SEAL
Chief Petty Officer William Bill Mulder (Ret.) Transition
Improvement Act of 2019''; H.R. 2398, the ``Veteran HOUSE
Act''; H.R. 2399, the ``Home for Our Heroes Act of 2019''; H.R.
1812, the ``Vet Center Eligibility Expansion Act''; and H.R.
1947, to exempt transfers of funds from Federal agencies to the
Department of Veterans Affairs for nonprofit corporations
established under subchapter IV of chapter 73 of such title
from certain provisions of the Economy Act. H.R. 2333, H.R.
1200, H.R. 1199, H.R. 95, H.R. 2109, H.R. 2196, H.R. 2398, H.R.
2399, and H.R. 2326 were ordered reported, without amendment.
H.R. 299, H.R. 2372, H.R. 2340, H.R. 2359, H.R. 1947, H.R.
1812, H.R. 2385, H.R. 1988, and H.R. 2045 were ordered
reported, as amended.
Full Committee Markup. On July 11, 2019, the Full Committee
held a markup on H.R. 2942, to direct the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to carry out the Women's Health Transition Training
pilot program through at least fiscal year 2020, and for other
purposes; H.R. 2943, to direct the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to make all fact sheets of the Department of Veterans
Affairs in English and Spanish; and H.R. 3504, to amend title
38, United States Code, to provide for improvements to the
specially adapted housing program of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes. H.R. 2942, H.R. 2943, and H.R.
3504 were ordered reported, as amended.
Full Committee Markup. On October 16, 2019, the Full
Committee held a markup on H.R. 4625, the ``Protect the GI Bill
Act''; H.R. 3749, the ``Legal Services for Homeless Veterans
Act''; H.R. 4613, the ``VA Reporting Transparency Act''; H.R.
4477, the ``Reducing High Risk to Veterans and Veterans
Services Act''; H.R. 4162, the ``GI Bill Planning Act of
2019''; and H.R. 561, the ``Protecting Business Opportunities
for Veterans Act of 2019''. H.R. 4625, H.R. 3749, H.R. 4613,
H.R. 4477, and H.R. 4162 were ordered reported, as amended.
H.R. 561 was ordered reported, without amendment.
Full Committee Markup. On October 29, 2019, Full Committee
held a markup on H.R. 4852, the ``GIVE Act''; H.R. 4356, the
``Protecting Families of Fallen Servicemembers Act''; H.R.
4183, the ``Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study
Act''; H.R. 4360, the ``VA Overpayment Accountability Act'';
H.R. 3996, the ``VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act
of 2019''; H.R. 1424, the ``Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross
Memorial Act''; A.N.S. to H.R. 3224, the ``Deborah Sampson
Act''; A.N.S. to H.R. 4771, to permit appellants to appear in
disability compensation cases before the Board of Veterans
Appeals by picture and voice transmission from locations other
than VA facilities; A.N.S. to H.R. 2227, the ``Gold Star
Spouses and Spouses of Injured Servicemembers Leasing Relief
Expansion Act of 2019''; and A.N.S. to H.R. 3530, the
``Improving Confidence in Veterans Care Act''. H.R. 4771, H.R.
2227, H.R. 4183, H.R. 3530, and H.R. 3224 were ordered
reported, as amended. H.R. 4852, H.R. 4356, H.R. 4360, H.R.
3996, H.R. 1424, were ordered reported, without amendment.
Full Committee Markup. On December 5, 2019, the Full
Committee held a markup on H.R. 4920, the ``Department of
Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act''; and
H.R. 3495, the ``Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act''. H.R.
3495 was ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 4920 was ordered
reported, without amendment.
Full Committee Markup. On March 12, 2020, the Full
Committee held a markup on H.R. 712, the ``VA Medical Cannabis
Research Act''; A.N.S. to H.R. 2224, the ``Homeless Veterans
with Children Reintegration Act''; H.R. 3798, the ``Equal
Access to Contraception for Veterans Act''; A.N.S. to H.R.
5781, to amend title 38, United States Code, to make an
individual who is eligible for educational assistance under
chapter 33 of such title, transfers such educational assistance
to a dependent, and fails to complete a service agreement,
solely liable for any overpayment of such educational
assistance; H.R. 6036, the ``VA Family Leave Act of 2020'';
A.N.S. to H.R. 5766, the ``VET TEC Expansion Act''; H.R. 1647,
the ``Veterans Equal Access Act''; H.R. 6140, to amend title
38, United States Code, to improve the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM
Scholarship program; H.R. 6018, to authorize the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to collect overpayments of specially adapted
housing assistance; H.R. 6157, to improve the GI comparison
tool program and update oversight of schools who convert from a
profit to a non-profit school; H.R. 6168, to increase,
effective as of December 1, 2020, the rates of compensation for
veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of
dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of
certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes; H.R. 5284,
the ``Vet OUTREACH Act''; H.R. 2816, the ``Vietnam Era Veterans
Hepatitis-C Testing Enhancement Act''; H.R. 2628, the ``VET
CARE Act''; H.R. 1527, the ``Long Term Care Veterans Choice
Act''; H.R. 1527, the ``Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act'';
H.R. 5750, the ``Streamlining GI Bill Processing Act of 2020'';
and S. 3084, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
modify the limitation on pay for certain high-level employees
and officers of the Department of Veterans Affairs. H.R. 712,
H.R. 2224, H.R. 3798, H.R. 5781, H.R. 6036, and H.R. 5766 were
ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 1647, H.R. 6140, H.R. 6018,
H.R. 6157, H.R. 6168, H.R. 5284, H.R. 2816, H.R. 2628, H.R.
1527, H.R. 5750, and S. 3084 were ordered reported, without
amendment.
Full Committee Markup. On July 30, 2020, the Full Committee
held a markup on A.N.S. to H.R. 5245, the ``SHIELD for Veterans
Act''; H.R. 5639, the ``Chuck Osier Burial Benefits Act'';
A.N.S. to H.R. 4908, the ``Native American PACT Act''; A.N.S.
to H.R. 2791, the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal
Advisory Committee Act of 2019''; H.R. 3010, the ``Honoring All
Veterans Act''; A.N.S. to H.R. 6589, the ``CFO Authority and
Collaboration Act of 2020''; H.R. 4526, the ``Brian Tally VA
Employment Transparency Act''; H.R. 5487, the ``Veterans
Cemetery Grants Improvement Act''; A.N.S. to H.R. 7111, the
``Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2020''; A.N.S. to H.R.
3228, the ``VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act''; A.N.S.
to H.R. 7445, to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand
eligibility for home loans from the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to certain members of the reserve components of the
Armed Forces; and H.R. 7795, the ``Veterans Benefits Fairness
and Transparency Act''. H.R. 5245, H.R. 4908, H.R. 2791, H.R.
6589, H.R. 7111, H.R. 3228, H.R. 7445, and H.R. 7795 were
ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 5639, H.R. 3010, H.R. 4526,
H.R. 7795, and H.R. 5487, were ordered reported, without
amendment.
Full Committee Markup. On September 17, 2020, Full
Committee held a markup on H.R. 8247, the ``Veterans
Comprehensive, Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of
2020''; A.N.S. to H.R. 7163, the ``VA FOIA Reform Act of
2020''; A.N.S. to H.R. 5843, the ``Strengthening Oversight for
Veterans Act of 2020''; A.N.S. to H.R. 7785, to amend title 38,
United States Code, to extend certain employment and
reemployment rights to members of the National Guard who
perform State active duty; and H.R. 6092, the ``Veteran's
Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act''. H.R. 8247, H.R.
7163, H.R. 5843, and H.R. 7785 were ordered reported, as
amended. H.R. 6092 was ordered reported, without amendment.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Full Committee Hearing--Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans'
Affairs Hearing to receive the Legislative Presentation of
Disabled American Veterans
On February 26, 2019, the full Committee held a joint
hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to receive
the legislative priorities of Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
DAV presented its legislative priorities to the House and
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees for fiscal year 2019. The
following witnesses from DAV testified: Mr. Dennis Nixon,
National Commander; Mr. Jim Marszalek, National Service
Director; Ms. Joy J. Ilem, National Legislative Director; Mr.
Randy Reese, Executive Director, Washington Headquarters; Mr.
J. Marc Burgess, National Adjutant; Mr. Barry A. Jesinoski,
Executive Director, National Headquarters; Mr. John
Kleindienst, National Director of Voluntary Service; Mr.
Jeffrey C. Hall, National Director of Employment; and Ms. Ellen
Timmerman, DAV Auxiliary National Commander.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans'
Affairs Hearing to receive the Legislative Presentation of The
American Legion
On February 27, 2019, the full Committee held a joint
hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to receive
the legislative priorities of The American Legion (TAL). The
following witnesses from TAL testified: Mr. Brett P. Reistad,
National Commander; Mr. Joseph Sharpe, Director, Veterans
Employment and Education Division; Mr. Vincent Troiola,
Chairman, Veterans Employment and Education Commission; Mr.
Matthew Shuman, National Legislative Director; Mr. Chanin
Nuntavong, Director, National Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division; Mr. Ralph Bozella, Chairman, Veterans
Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission; and Mr. Randall Fisher,
Chairman, National Legislative Commission.
Full Committee Meeting--Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans'
Affairs Hearing to receive the Legislative Presentation of The
Veterans of Foreign Wars
On March 6, 2019, the full Committee held a joint hearing
with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to receive the
legislative priorities of The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
The following witnesses from VFW testified: Mr. Vincent
``B.J.'' Lawrence, Commander-in-Chief; Mr. Bob Wallace,
Executive Director; Mr. Ryan Gallucci, Director, National
Veterans Service; Mr. Carlos Fuentes, Director, National
Legislative Service; and Mr. Darrell Bencken, National
Legislative Committee Chairman.
Full Committee Meeting--Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans'
Affairs Hearing to receive the Legislative Presentation of
Multiple Veterans Service Organizations
On March 7, 2019, the full Committee held a joint hearing
with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to receive the
legislative priorities of Multiple Veterans Service
Organizations: American Veterans (AMVETS), Paralyzed Veterans
of America (PVA), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Student Veterans of
America (SVA), American Ex-Prisoners of War (AXPOW), and
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The following witnesses
testified: Mr. Regis William Riley, National Commander,
American Veterans; Mr. David Zurfluh, National President,
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. John Rowan, National
President/CEO, Vietnam Veterans of America; Mr. Jeremy Butler,
Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America; Mr. Jared Lyon, National President & CEO, Student
Veterans of America; Mr. Charles Anthony Susino, National
Director/Legislative Office, American Ex-Prisoners of War; and
Ms. Rene C. Bardorf, Senior Vice President for Government &
Community Relations, Wounded Warrior Project.
Full Committee Meeting--Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans'
Affairs to receive the Legislative Presentation of Multiple
Veterans Service Organizations
On March 12, 2019, the full Committee held a joint hearing
with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to receive the
legislative priorities of multiple Veterans Service
Organizations: National Association of State Directors of
Veterans Affair (NASDVA), Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), Gold
Star Wives of America (GSWA), Blinded Veterans Association
(BVA), Jewish War Veterans (JWV), Military Order of the Purple
Heart (MOPH), and Military Officers Association of America
(MOAA). The following witnesses testified: Ms. Alfie Alvarado-
Ramos, President, National Association of State Directors of
Veterans Affairs, Director, Washington Department of Veterans'
Affairs; Mr. Robert Washington, Sr., National President, Fleet
Reserve Association; Mrs. Crystal Lynn Wenum, National
President, Member, Government Relations Committee, Gold Star
Wives of America; Mr. Thomas Zampieri, PhD, National President,
Blinded Veterans Association; Mr. Barry J. Schneider, PhD.,
National Commander, Jewish War Veterans; Mr. Douglas J.
Greenlaw, National Commander, Military Order of the Purple
Heart; and Ms. Rene Campos, Senior Director of Government
Relations for Veterans-Wounded Warrior Care, Military Officers
Association of America.
Full Committee Legislative Hearing--H.R. 2943, H.R. 2942, H.R. 2676,
H.R. 2677, H.R. 712, H.R. 1647, H.R. 3083, H.R. 485, Discussion
Draft--Specially Adaptive Housing, Discussion Draft--Work Study
On June 20, 2019, the full Committee met in open session
for a legislative hearing on the above legislation. There were
three witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the
first panel: Ranking Member David P. Roe, M.D. (Tennessee),
Representative J. Luis Correa (California), Representative
Gilbert R. Cisneros (California), and Representative Gus M.
Bilirakis (Florida). The following witnesses testified on the
second panel: Mr. Adrian Atizado, Deputy National Director,
Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Travis Horr, Director,
Government Affairs, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America;
Mr. Carlos Fuentes, Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars of America; Mr. Derek Fronabarger,
Director, Government Affairs, Wounded Warrior Project; and Dr.
Igor, Grant, M.D., F.R.C.P, Director, Center for Medical
Cannabis Research, University of California. The following
witness testified on the third panel: Dr. Larry Mole, Chief
Consultant for Population Health Services, Office of Patient
Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs.
Full Committee Legislative Hearing--H.R. 3495 and Draft bill to
Establish a Pilot Program for the Issuance of Grants to
Eligible Entities
On November 20, 2019, the full Committee met in an open
session to conduct a legislative hearing on the above
legislation. There were two witness panels. The following
witnesses testified on the first panel: The Honorable Robert
Wilkie, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Richard Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. David
Carroll, Executive Director, Office of Mental Health, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Adrian Atizado, Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Mr. Blake Bourne, Executive Director,
Veterans Bridge Home; Ms. Melissa Bryant, National Legislative
Director, The American Legion; and Mr. Sherman Gillums Jr.,
Chief Efficacy Officer, AMVETS.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans'
Affairs to receive the Legislative Presentation of Disabled
American Veterans
On February 25, 2020, the full Committee held a joint
hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to receive
the legislative priorities of Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
It is also important to note that in 2020, DAV celebrated 100
years of service to veterans. The following DAV witnesses
testified: Mr. Stephen Whitehead, National Commander; Mr. Jim
Marszalek, National Service Director; Ms. Joy J. Ilem, National
Legislative Director; Mr. Randy Reese, Executive Director,
Washington Headquarters; Mr. J. Marc Burgess, National
Adjutant; Mr. Barry A. Jesinoski, Executive Director, National
Headquarters; Mr. Dan Clare, Chief Communications and Outreach
Officer; and Ms. Diane J. Franz, DAV Auxiliary National
Commander.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans'
Affairs to receive the Legislative Presentation of Multiple
Veterans Service Organizations
On February 26, 2020, the full Committee held a joint
hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to receive
the legislative priorities of multiple Veterans Service
Organizations: Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Blinded Veterans
of America (BVA), National Association of State Directors of
Veterans Affairs (NASDVA), Jewish War Veterans (JWV), Vietnam
Veterans of America (VVA), Military Order of the Purple Heart
of the U.S.A., Incl. (MOPH), and American Veterans (AMVETS).
The following witnesses testified: Lieutenant General Michael
S. Linnington (Ret.), Chief Executive Officer, Wounded Warrior
Project; Mr. Thomas A. Zampieri, National President, Blinded
Veterans Association; Mr. John Hilgert, President, National
Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Director,
Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs; Mr. Harvey Weiner,
National Commander, Jewish War Veterans; Mr. John Rowan,
National President, Vietnam Veterans of America; Mr. Felix
Garcia, III., National Commander, Military Order of the Purple
Heart; and Ms. Jan Brown, National Commander, American
Veterans.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans'
Affairs to receive the Legislative Presentation of Multiple
Veterans Service Organizations
On March 3, 2020, the full Committee held a joint hearing
with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to receive the
legislative priorities of Multiple Veterans Service
Organizations (VSOs): American Ex-Prisoners of War (AXPOW),
Paralyzed Veterans of America ( PVA), Student Veterans of
America (SVA), Gold Star Wives of America (GSWA), Military
Officers Association of America (MOAA), Fleet Reserve
Association (FRA), and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
(IAVA). The following witnesses testified: Mr. Robert Certain,
National Commander, American Ex-Prisoners of War; Mr. David
Zurfluh, National President, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr.
Jared Lyon, National President & CEO, Student Veterans of
America; Mrs. Crystal Lynn Wenum, National President, Gold Star
Wives of America; Ms. Rene A. Campos; Senior Director of
Government Relations for Veterans-Wounded Warrior Care,
Military Officers Association of America; Ms. Donna Jansky,
National President, Fleet Reserve Association; and Mr. Jeremy
Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
of America.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans'
Affairs to receive the Legislative Presentation of Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States
On March 4, 2020, the full Committee held a joint hearing
with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to receive the
legislative priorities of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
The following VFW witnesses testified: Mr. William J. ``Doc''
Schmitz, Commander-in-Chief; Mr. Vincent ``B.J.'' Lawrence,
Executive Director; Mr. Ryan Gallucci, Director, National
Veterans Service; Mr. Carlos Fuentes, Director, National
Legislative Service; and Mr. Ronald ``Rusko'' Rusakiewicz,
National Legislative Committee Chairman.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans'
Affairs to receive the Legislative Presentation of The American
Legion
On March 11, 2020, the full Committee held a joint hearing
with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to receive the
legislative priorities of The American Legion (TAL). The
following TAL witnesses testified: Mr. James W. ``Bill''
Oxford, National Commander; Mr. Joseph Sharpe, Director,
Veterans Employment and Education Division; Ms. Melissa Bryant,
Director, National Legislative Division; Mr. Chanin Nuntavong,
Director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division; Mr. Ralph Bozella, Chairman, Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Commission; and Mr. Vincent Troiola, Chairman,
National Legislative Commission.
Full Committee Legislative Hearing--H.R. 6039; H.R. 6082; H.R. 4908;
H.R. 2791; H.R. 4526; H.R. 3582; H.R. 96; H.R. 4281; H.R. 3010;
H.R. 7163;H.R. 7111; H.R. 2435; H.R. 7287; H.R. 3228; H.R.
6141; H.R. 7445; H.R. 6493; Discussion Draft--Burial Equity for
Guards and Reserves Act of 2020; Discussion Draft--To amend
title 38, United States Code, to extend certain employment and
reemployment rights to members of the National Guard who
perform State active duty; Discussion Draft--To amend title 38,
United States Code, to clarify the scope of procedural rights
of members of the uniformed services with respect to their
employment and reemployment rights, and for other purposes.
On July 23, 2020, the full Committee met in open session
(in-person and via Cisco Webex) for a legislative hearing on
the above legislation. There were three witness panels. The
following witnesses testified on the first panel:
Representative Mike Levin (California), Representative Chris
Pappas (New Hampshire), Representative Julia Brownley
(California) (remote attendance), Representative Lauren
Underwood (Illinois) (remote attendance), Representative
Kathleen Rice (New York) (remote attendance), Representative
Gilbert Cisneros (California), Representative Mike Bost
(Illinois), Representative Andy Barr (Kentucky), and
Representative Max Rose (New York). The following witnesses
testified on the second panel: Dr. Maria Llorente, Assistant
Deputy Undersecretary for Health for Patient Care Services,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Beth Murphy, Executive Director of Compensation
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Glenn Powers, Deputy Under Secretary for
Field Programs and Cemetery Operations, National Cemetery
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Amanda
Johnson, Director of Reproductive Health, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (remote
attendance); Ms. Yuri Walker, Director, Risk Management
Program, Office of Integrity, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (remote attendance); and
Ms. Charmain Bogue, Executive Director, Education Service,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs (remote attendance). The following witnesses testified
on the third panel: Ms. Patricia Jackson-Kelley, National
President, National Association of Black Military Women (remote
attendance); Ms. Katie Purswell, Deputy Director, Health
Policy, The American Legion (remote attendance); Mr. Kevin
Allis, CEO, National Congress of American Indians (remote
attendance); and Ms. Lindsay Church, Executive Director,
Minority Veterans of America (remote attendance).
Full Committee Legislative Hearing--H.R. 7541; H.R. 7504; H.R. 7784;
H.R. 7879; H.R. 7747, H.R. 7888; H.R. 7964; H.R. 3450; H.R.
3788; H.R. 3826; H.R. 6092; H.R. 7469; H.R. 8005; H.R. 8033;
H.R. 8084; H.R. 8068; H.R. 8149; H.R. 8148; H.R. 8108; H.R.
8144; H.R. 8145; H.R. 8130; H.R. 8107; H.R. 8147; H.R. 8172;
H.R. 8173; A.N.S. to H.R. 5697; Discussion Draft--Veterans
Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of
2020; Discussion Draft--Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition
Act; Discussion Draft--VA Expanded Care Hours Act; Discussion
Draft--Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020.
On September 10, 2020, the full Committee met in open
session (in-person and via Cisco Webex) to conduct a remote
legislative hearing on the above legislation. There were two
witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the first
panel: Representative Susie Lee (Nevada), Representative Chip
Roy (Texas), Representative Andy Barr (Kentucky),
Representative Phil Roe (Tennessee), Representative Neal Dunn
(Florida), Representative Anthony Brindisi (New York),
Representative Lauren Underwood (Illinois), Representative
Julia Brownley (California), Representative Conor Lamb
(Pennsylvania), and Representative Elaine Luria (Virginia). The
following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Lindsay
Church, Executive Director, Minority Veterans of America; Ms.
Maureen Elias, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; Ms. Joy Ilem, National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Patrick Murray,
Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign
Wars; Dr. Russell Lemle, Senior Policy Analyst, Veterans
Healthcare Policy Institute; and Mr. Jim Lorraine, Lt. Col.,
USAF, (Ret.), President & Chief Executive Officer, America's
Warrior Partnership.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Full Committee Hearing--``VA 2030: A Vision for the Future of VA''
On February 27, 2019, the full Committee met in open
session to conduct an oversight hearing to examine how VA
intends to deliver care and services to veterans in the future,
while taking into account rapidly changing veteran demographics
and multiple ongoing large projects that seek to modernize the
enterprise. The following witnesses testified: The Honorable
Robert Wilkie, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
and Dr. Richard Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Full Committee Hearing--``MISSION Critical: Assessing the Technology to
Support Community Care''
On April 2, 2019, the full Committee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing to examine the implementation of
the MISSION Act, Public Law 115-182. The hearing examined the
alarming findings of a U.S. Digital Service report related to
VA's readiness to implement technology systems necessary to
support the Community Care components of the MISSION Act. The
following witnesses testified : Dr. Richard Stone, Executive in
Charge, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; The Honorable Mr. James Gfrerer, Assistant
Secretary for the Office of Information Technology and Chief
Information Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
The Honorable Dr. Melissa Glynn, Assistant Secretary for
Enterprise Integration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Full Committee Hearing--``U.S. Department of Veterans'' Affairs Budget
Request for FY 2020''
On April 3, 2019, the full Committee met in open session to
discuss VA's budget priorities and proposed funding levels for
FY 2020. The following witnesses testified on the first panel:
The Honorable Mr. Robert Wilkie, Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; The Honorable Dr. Paul Lawrence, Under
Secretary for Benefits, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Dr. Richard Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; The
Honorable Mr. Jon Rychalski, Assistant Secretary of Management
and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the second panel:
Ms. Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Ms. Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director of
Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr.
Patrick Murray, Associate Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Larry L. Lohmann, Senior
Legislative Associate, Legislative Division, The American
Legion.
Full Committee Hearing--``Tragic Trends: Suicide Prevention Among
Veterans''
On April 29, 2019, the full Committee met in open session
to examine the heartbreaking trend of veteran suicide on the
grounds of VA facilities. The hearing also examined VA's recent
shift toward suicide prevention as part of a public health
model; VA's data analysis and surveillance efforts; the
development of effective interventions; and the support,
training, and counseling VA offers to veterans' families,
frontline providers, support staff, and security personnel in
response to an on-campus suicide. The following witnesses
testified: Dr. Shelli Avenevoli, Deputy Director, National
Institute of Mental Health; Dr. Richard McKeon, Chief, Suicide
Prevention Branch, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration; Dr. Richard Stone, Executive in Charge,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Dr. Keita Franklin, National Director of Suicide
Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Full Committee Hearing--``True Transparency? Assessing Wait Times Five
Years after Phoenix''
On July 24, 2019, the full Committee met in open session to
examine how VA currently measures veterans' access to health
care, both internally and in the community, what information VA
makes available to veterans, and the accuracy of VA's reported
wait times. The hearing also examined how other health care
systems monitor patients' access to care and whether
opportunities exist to improve the transparency and
availability of VA's wait time data, so that veterans can make
informed choices about where to receive their care. The
following witnesses testified: Dr. Debra Draper, Director,
Health Care Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Dr.
Teresa S. Boyd, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Clinical Operations, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Susan R. Kirsh, Acting
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Access to Care,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Clinton ``Leo'' Greenstone, Deputy Executive
Director for Clinical Integrity, Office of Community Care,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Dr. Kenneth W. Kizer, Chief Healthcare
Transformation Officer and Senior Executive Vice President,
Atlas Research, Inc.
Full Committee Hearing--``Member Day 2019''
On September 10, 2019, the full Committee met in open
session to hear from all interested Members on legislation and
issues within the Committee's jurisdiction. The following
Members testified: Representative Steve Womack (Arkansas),
Representative Steve Stivers (Ohio), Representative Salud
Carbajal (California), Representative Scott Peters
(California), Representative Vicky Hartzler (Missouri),
Representative Stacey Plaskett (U.S. Virgin Islands),
Representative Dean Phillips (Minnesota), Representative Brian
Mast (Florida), Representative Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter
(Georgia), Representative David Rouzer (North Carolina),
Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (Florida), Representative
Tom Malinowski (New Jersey), Representative Darren Soto
(Florida), Representative Elise M. Stefanik (New York),
Representative Brad Wenstrup (Ohio), Representative Kevin
McCarthy (California), Representative Tim Walberg (Michigan),
Representative Clay Higgins (Louisiana), Representative Lee
Zeldin (New York), Representative Bill Johnson (Ohio),
Representative Raul Ruiz (California), Representative Lloyd
Smucker (Pennsylvania), Representative Joaquin Castro (Texas),
Representative John R. Carter (Texas), Representative French J.
Hill of Arkansas, Representative Jim Baird of Indiana,
Representative Ann McLane Kuster of New Hampshire,
Representative Ross Spano (Florida), Representative Robert J.
Wittman (Virginia), and Representative Jim Costa (California).
Full Committee Hearing--``Critical Impact: How Barriers to Hiring at VA
Affect Patient Care and Access''
On September 18, 2019, the full Committee met in open
session to conduct an oversight hearing on how pay, cost of
living, hyper-competitive employment regions, and
administrative barriers impact VA's ability to hire and retain
talented employees across all occupations. The Committee
reviewed how VA engages with the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) to address these longstanding staffing challenges. The
following witnesses testified: Mr. Daniel R. Sitterly,
Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration/
Operations Security, and Preparedness, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Jessica Bonjorni, Acting Assistant Deputy
Under Secretary for Health for Workforce Services, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
John D. Oswalt, Deputy Chief Information Officer for
Information Technology Resource Management, Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; the Honorable Michael Missal, Inspector General, VA
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and, Mr. Robert Goldenkoff, Director, Strategic
Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
Full Committee Hearing--``Hijacking our Heroes: Exploiting Veterans
through Disinformation on Social Media''
On November 13, 2019, the full Committee met in open
session to conduct an investigative hearing examining internet
spoofing, focused on the targeting of veterans and veterans'
groups. The hearing explored the misappropriation of veterans'
identities for the dissemination of fake news and political
propaganda, romance scams, and commercial fraud. The purpose of
the hearing was to understand the nature and scope of the
issue, to learn about the challenges in identifying and
eliminating these threats, best practices for preventative
policies, and other ideas on how to better defend against this
threat. The following witnesses testified: Mr. Kristofer
Goldsmith, Chief Investigator and Associate Director of Policy
and Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of America; Dr.
Vladimir Barash, Science Director, Graphika; Mr. Kevin Kane,
Public Policy Manager, Twitter; and Mr. Nathaniel Gleicher,
Head of Security Policy, Facebook.
Full Committee Hearing--``Caring for Veterans in Crisis: Ensuring a
Comprehensive Health System Approach''
On January 29, 2020, the full Committee on Veterans'
Affairs met in open session to examine the extent to which VHA
has adopted a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. The
hearing explored how VHA policies and employee training related
to identifying veterans at risk of suicide; VHA's coordination
of care for veterans at risk of suicide; the role of VA's
police force in identifying and responding to veterans in
crisis on VHA campuses; and the extent to which VHA is
maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment for veterans
experiencing mental health crises. In addition, the committee
examined the efforts of other U.S. health care systems to adopt
a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention, and considered
whether there are any lessons learned that could be adopted by
VA. This hearing provided an opportunity for VA to update the
Committee on its progress toward addressing a number of
concerning findings and recommendations from the IG, to discuss
any challenges VA faces in this area, and to identify
opportunities for strengthening VHA's approach to comprehensive
suicide prevention. The following witnesses testified: Ms.
Renee Oshinski, Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Operations and Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. David Carroll, Executive
Director, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Frederick Jackson, Senior Executive Director,
Office of Security and Law Enforcement, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Julie Kroviak, Deputy Assistant Inspector
General for Healthcare Inspections; Office of Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. C. Edward
Coffey, Affiliate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
Full Committee Hearing--``The U.S. Department of Veterans'' Affairs
Budget Request for FY 2021''
On February 27, 2020, the full Committee on Veterans'
Affairs met in open session to examine VA's budget request for
fiscal year 2021. The following witnesses testified: The
Honorable Robert Wilkie, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Paul Lawrence, Under Secretary for Benefits, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Richard Stone, Executive in
Charge, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Jon Rychalski, Assistant Secretary of
Management and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Full Committee Forum--``Coronavirus Pandemic Response: The Impact of
Economic and Health Care Services on Homeless Veterans in
America''
On April 28, 2020, the full Committee held a remote forum
(via Cisco Webex) to discuss the concerns and comments of
stakeholders on the impact of the Novel Coronavirus 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic on homeless veterans, including the impact
on social, housing, and health care services that provide
resources to this community and any trends on veterans'
homelessness due to COVID-19's economic impact, community need
in the recovery phase to reintegrate veterans into their
communities and length of time for reintegration. The following
witness testified: Ms. Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer,
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
Full Committee Hearing--``Assessing VA's Response to the COVID-19
Pandemic: 90 Days Later''
On June 11, 2020, the full Committee met in open session
(in-person and via Cisco Webex) to examine VA's efforts
throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency to care for
veterans, protect its workforce, and support the delivery of
care to non-veterans in communities nationwide through its
Fourth Mission. Among other things, the Committee discussed
VA's COVID-19 testing and contact tracing capabilities and
protocols for veterans and employees; guidance for veterans and
employees on self-isolation and self-quarantine; challenges VA
faced with supply chain and inventory management for personal
protective equipment (PPE), and the extent to which VA was
adequately supplied for the ongoing pandemic; assistance VA
provided to state veterans homes, community nursing homes, and
prisons, and what challenges, if any, VA has encountered
providing humanitarian assistance through its fourth mission;
and VA's preparations for possible resurgences in COVID-19
infection rates. The following witnesses testified: Dr. Richard
Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Deborah Kramer, Acting
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Support Services,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Dr. Larry Mole, Executive Director, Office of
Public Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs.
Full Committee Hearing--``A Time for Change: Assessing the Need to
Modernize Veteran Eligibility for Care''
On December 2, 2020, the full Committee met in open session
(in-person and via Cisco Webex) to conduct an oversight hearing
examining veteran eligibility to enroll in the VA healthcare
system. A veteran's ability to enroll in VA care is based on an
enrollment priority group system that was established by
Congress in the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of
1996. During this hearing, the Committee assessed how well that
system serves the current generation of servicemembers and
veterans, including those who were exposed to toxic substances
during their military service and those who were discharged
under conditions that were less than honorable. The hearing
included a discussion of H.R. 7469, the Modernizing Veterans'
Healthcare Eligibility Act, which was based on a recommendation
from the bipartisan Commission on Care to establish an expert
body to develop recommendations for VA care eligibility and
benefits design. The following witnesses testified on the first
panel: Mr. Sidath Panangala, Specialist in Veterans Policy,
Congressional Research Service (remote attendance); Mr. Patrick
Murray, Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of
Foreign Wars (remote attendance); Mr. Marquis Barefield,
National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans
(remote attendance); Mr. Roscoe Butler, Associate Legislative
Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America (remote attendance);
Mr. Jeffrey Steele, Legislative Associate, National Legislative
Division, The American Legion (remote attendance). The
following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Tammy
Czarnecki, Deputy to the Assistant Under Secretary for Health
for Operations, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Garth Miller, Director, Member
Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Valerie Mattison Brown, Chief
Strategy Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
SITE VISITS
San Juan, Puerto Rico. On January 12, 2019, Chairman Takano
visited the VA Caribbean Health Care System in San Juan, Puerto
Rico to receive an update and status of VA's Fourth Mission in
Puerto Rico (i.e. response to recent weather events, refit,
preparedness for the next hurricane season, residual damage,
funds used and needed for future major & minor construction).
While visiting the San Juan, Puerto Rico VA medical center the
Chairman also met with members from the federal employee union
representing VA employees, American Federation of Government
Employees (AFGE).
Nashville, Tennessee. On January 18, 2019, Ranking Member
Roe visited the Nashville Regional Benefits Office, Systematic
Technical Accuracy Review (STAR) facility, and the Nashville VA
Medical Center. The Ranking Member conducted oversight of VA's
implementation of the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program
(RAMP) and the STAR quality review program. While visiting the
regional office, the Ranking Member also met with co-located
VSOs and employees who processed RAMP claims, as well as,
employees at the STAR Facility. Ranking Member Roe also visited
the Nashville VA Medical Center, to include its Vanderbilt
affiliate, with an emphasis on robotic surgery and telehealth
advancements.
Seattle, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Bremerton, Washington.
On April 15-17, 2019, Chairman Takano and Chairwoman Susie Lee
(NV-03) traveled to the Pacific Northwest to conduct oversight
of the implementation of the Electronic Health Record
Modernization (EHRM) program and Transition Assistance Program
(TAP), and to hold meetings and briefings at the Seattle
Division of the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Madigan Army
Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Naval Base
Kitsap. This CODEL was supported by majority staff from the
Subcommittees on Economic Opportunity and Technology
Modernization.
Jackson, Michigan and Fort Wayne, Indiana. On May 6, 2109,
Ranking Member Roe met with local veterans, VA staff, VSO
representatives, and members of the Congressional delegation at
the Jackson CBOC and the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System
Fort Wayne Campus to assess the care, benefits, and services
available to veterans in Jackson, Michigan, and Fort Wayne,
Indiana.
Atlanta, Georgia. On May 13, 2019, Chairman Takano and
Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06) and three majority Committee
staff traveled to the Atlanta VA Medical Center (VAMC) to
gather information about what VA was doing to address the
facility's one-star rating and a veteran suicide that occurred
on campus in April 2019, as well as to obtain perspectives from
the facility's executive leadership, VA clinicians and other VA
employees, and a group of veterans that receive health care at
Atlanta-area VA facilities, about the Atlanta VAMC's remaining
challenges. This CODEL was supported by majority staff from the
Subcommittees on Health and Oversight and Investigations.
Boston, Massachusetts. On May 30, 2019, Chairman Takano and
Representative Joe Kennedy, III (MA-04) visited the Jamaica
Plain VA Medical Center in Boston, MA. The purpose of visit was
to discuss the VA Boston Healthcare System's readiness to
implement the community care program that was created under the
MISSION Act of 2018, and learn about various research programs
based in Boston, including the Women's Health Sciences Division
of the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the
VA Biorepository Brain Bank, and the Million Veteran Program.
This CODEL was supported by majority staff from the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Loma Linda, California. On July 1, 2019, Chairman Takano
and a majority Committee staff member traveled to the Loma
Linda VA Healthcare System to discuss the facility's plans to
implement 12 recommendations from a June 18, 2019, IG report:
Review of Environment of Care, Infection Control Practices,
Provider Availability, and Leadership; VA Loma Linda Healthcare
System, California.
Puerto Rico. On July 19-20, 2019, Chairman Takano led a
congressional delegation (CODEL) to San Juan, Guayama, and
Ponce, Puerto Rico, to observe the unique challenges for
veterans living in regions most acutely impacted by Hurricane
Maria. Five majority staff of the Committee accompanied the
five-Member, bipartisan CODEL on the trip. Traveling with the
Chairman were Chairwoman Julia Brownley (CA-26), Representative
Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (AS), Representative Gregorio
Sablan (NMI), and Representative Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (PR).
On July 19, the CODEL visited the San Juan VA Medical Center
and discussed how VA did and did not serve its Fourth Mission
function after Hurricane Maria and what improvements have been
made to better respond to the next disaster. On July 20, the
CODEL visited with veterans in San Juan, Guayama, and Ponce and
heard stories of their harrowing experiences during and after
Maria and the needs still not met in the two years since. This
CODEL was supported by majority staff from the Subcommittee on
Health.
Lexington, Kentucky. On September 4, 2019 Ranking Member
Roe and Committee member, Representative Andy Barr (KY-06),
travelled to Lexington, KY to visit the Troy Bolling VA Medical
Center, meet the new Director, and visit multiple clinics
within the facility.
Little Rock, Arkansas. On September 6, 2019, Chairman
Takano joined Representative French Hill (Arkansas) for a visit
to the Little Rock VA Medical Center (VAMC), which is one of
two hospital campuses that comprise the Central Arkansas VA
Health Care System (CAVHS). The CAVHS was part of the first
wave of facilities to launch VA's Whole Health Initiative in
fiscal year 2018, a program that embraces the use of
alternative treatment modalities such as acupuncture, yoga, and
chiropractic medicine to improve veterans' health and
wellbeing.
Seattle, Washington. On October 1-3, 2019, Ranking Member
Roe and a minority staff member travelled to Seattle and
American Lake, WA to visit the Puget Sound VA Health Care
System and meet with employees to discuss preparations for the
Electronic Health Record Modernization program's forthcoming
implementation of the Cerner electronic health record.
Hawaii, Guam, Saipan and the Philippines. On October 1-10,
2019, Chairman Takano led a bipartisan CODEL to the Pacific.
Traveling with the Chairman on the CODEL were Chairwoman Julia
Brownley (CA-26), Vice Ranking Member Representative Aumua
Amata Coleman Radewagen (AS), Representative Gregorio Sablan
(NMI), and Representative Michael San Nicolas (GU). Four
majority staff and two minority staff of the Committee
accompanied the five-Member, bipartisan CODEL on the trip. The
purpose of the CODEL was to better understand the needs of
veterans who live outside of the U.S. mainland. Additionally,
Members received security briefings regarding the geopolitical
situation in the Pacific.
Harlingen, Texas. On November 22, 2019, Chairman Takano and
Representative Filemon Vela (TX-34) visited the VA Texas Valley
Coastal Bend Health Care System in Harlingen, Texas. The
Members held meetings with veterans, VA employees, and the
executive leadership of the Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health
Care System to conduct oversight of quality of care, access to
care, and employee morale at the facility. This CODEL was
supported by majority staff from the Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations.
Kuwait and Afghanistan. On November 25-December 1, 2019,
Chairman Takano led a CODEL to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Five majority staff and one minority staff accompanied the
five-Member CODEL. Traveling along with Chairman Takano on the
CODEL were Vice Chairman, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17),
Representative Colin Allred (TX-32), Representative Lauren
Underwood (IL-14), and Representative Haley Stevens (MI-11).
The purpose of the CODEL was to conduct meetings and hold
bilateral discussions with U.S. military and international
officials and leaders on matters that are critical to our
nation's security and global cooperation within the
jurisdiction of the Committee, as well as to meet with deployed
troops. These issues included delivery of healthcare for our
military personnel and veterans, as well as access to military
transition training and benefits. The Members of the delegation
spent Thursday, November 28 serving deployed military personnel
their Thanksgiving Day lunch at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AND MEMORIAL
AFFAIRS
ELAINE G. LURIA, Virginia, Chair
MIKE BOST, Illinois, Ranking Member
GILBERT R. CISNEROS, California GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida
GREGORIO KILILI SABLAN, Northern GREG STEUBE, Florida
Mariana Islands
COLIN ALLRED, Texas
LAUREN UNDERWOOD, Illinois
Julie Turner, Majority Staff Director
Maria Tripplaar, Minority Staff Director
Carolyn Blaydes, Majority Staff Director--retired 2019
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Legislative hearing--``H.R. 1199, H.R. 1200, H.R. 1126,
H.R. 1628, H.R. 1826, a draft bill to permit the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to establish a grant program to conduct
cemetery research and produce educational materials for the
Veterans Legacy Program, and a draft update of H.R. 299.''
On May 1, 2019, the subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing on the above legislation. There
were four panels. The following witness testified on the first
panel: Representative Mark Takano (California), Chairman
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Representative David P. Roe,
M.D. (Tennessee), Ranking Member, Committee on Veterans'
Affairs, Representative Conor Lamb (Pennsylvania), Vice Chair
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Representative Greg Steube
(Florida), and Representative Julia Brownley (California). The
following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Matthew
Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and Planning,
National Cemetery Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Kevin Friel, Deputy Director for Pension and
Fiduciary, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Patricia Hastings, Deputy Chief
Consultant, Post-Deployment Health Services, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr.
Derrick Curtis, Director Software Testing & 508 Enterprise
Portfolio Management Division, Office of Information
Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The following
witnesses testified on the third panel: Ms. Melanie Brunson,
Government Relations Officer, Blinded Veterans Association; Mr.
Karl R. Horst, Major General, U.S. Army (Ret), President and
Chief Executive Officer, Congressional Medal of Honor
Foundation; and Ms. Allison Adelle Hedge Coke, Distinguished
Professor of Creative Writing, University of California,
Riverside. The following witnesses testified on the fourth
panel: Mr. Carlos Fuentes, Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Rick Weidman, Executive
Director, Policy and Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of
America; Mr. Chanin Nuntavong, Director, Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr. Shane L.
Liermann, Assistant National, Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Dr. David A. Butler, Director, Office of
Military and Veterans Health, Health and Medicine Division, The
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Dr.
Ourania Kosti, Senior Program Officer, Principal Investigator,
Radiation, Effects Research Foundation, The National Academies
of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Ourania Kosti, Senior
Program Officer, Principal Investigator, Radiation, Effects
Research Foundation, The National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--``Ensuring Access to Disability
Benefits for Veteran Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
(MST).''
On June 20, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing regarding H.R. 1092, the
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of
2019, related to the Subcommittee's oversight of disability
claims processing of MST-related claims at VBA, including the
Department's response to the IG's August 2018 report and
recommendations.
There were three witness panels. The following witness
testified on the first panel: Representative Chellie Pingree
(Maine). The following witnesses testified on the second panel:
Mr. Willie Clark, Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Beth Murphy, Executive Director, Compensation
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Margret Bell, Ph.D., National Deputy
Director for Military Sexual Trauma, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr.
Steve Bracci, Director, Denver Benefits Inspection, VA Office
of Inspector General. The following witnesses testified on the
third panel: Colonel Don Christensen, President, Protect Our
Defenders; Ms. Elizabeth Tarloski, Adjunct Professor, Lewis B.
Puller Jr. Veteran's Benefits Clinic, William and Mary Law
School; Mr. Shane L. Liermann, Assistant National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; and Dr. Sharyn Potter,
PhD, MPH, Executive Director of Research, Prevention
Innovations Research Center, University of New Hampshire.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--``H.R. 4360, H.R. 592, H.R. 1030,
H.R. 4165, H.R. 4183, H.R. 628, H.R. 1424, H.R. 1911, a draft
bill to extend increased dependency and indemnity compensation
paid to surviving spouses of veterans who die from ALS, and a
draft bill to permit appellants to appear before the Board of
Veterans' Appeals via picture and voice transmission from
locations outside the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).''
On October 22, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct a legislative hearing on the above legislation.
There were three witness panels. The following witnesses
testified on the first panel: Representative Chellie Pingree
(Maine) Representative Julia Brownley (California),
Representative Antonio Delgado (New York), Representative Ted
Yoho (Florida), Representative Michael Waltz (Florida). The
following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Ronald
Burke, Executive Director of Pension & Fiduciary Services,
Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Kimberly McLeod, Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of
Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The
following witnesses testified on the third panel: Mr. Shane
Liermann, National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Mr. Brian Dempsey, Government Affairs Director;
Wounded Warrior Project; and Ms. Ashlynne Haycock, Deputy
Director of Policy & Legislation, Tragedy Assistance Program
for Survivors.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--``H.R. 5639, H.R. 5487, H.R. 5048,
H.R. 5019, H.R. 697, H.R. 6013, H.R. 6060, H.R. 7443''
On July 16, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing on the above legislation. There
were three witness panels. The following witnesses testified on
the first panel: Representative Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan
(Northern Mariana Islands); Representative Colin Allred
(Texas); Representative Steve Watkins (Kansas); Representative
Anthony Brindisi (New York); Representative Antonio Delgado
(New York); and Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton
(Washington, D.C.). The following witnesses testified on the
second panel: Mr. Matthew Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary for
Finance and Planning, National Cemetery Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Dan Keenaghan, Executive
Director, Insurance Service, Veterans Benefits Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Laurine Carson, Deputy
Executive Director, Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr.
Sean Clark, National Director, Veterans Justice Programs,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the third panel:
Mr. Matthew Doyle, Deputy Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Frank Logalbo, Benefits
Training Manager, Wounded Warrior Project; Mr. Shane Liermann,
Deputy National Legislative Director for Benefits, Disabled
American Veterans; and Ms. Diane Rauber, Executive Director,
National Organization of Veterans' Advocates.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Hearing--``Update on VA Contracted Exams, Quality Review
Process, and Service to Rural Veterans''
On September 19, 2019, the Subcommittee conducted an
oversight hearing to examine challenges in contract exams.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses
testified on the first panel: Ms. Mary Glenn, Deputy Director,
Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Ms. Elizabeth Curda, Director of Workforce and
Income Security Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Rick
Weidman, Executive Director for Public Policy, Vietnam Veterans
of America; Mr. Shane Liermann, National Legislative Director,
Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Ken Wiseman, State Adjutant and
Accredited VSO, Veterans of Foreign Wars (Department of
Virginia); and Ms. Kimberly Shalloo, Washington DC Liaison
Chair; National Association of County Veteran Service Officers.
Subcommittee Forum--``Veterans' Disability Examinations in the Time of
COVID-19: A Way Forward''
On May 27, 2020, the Subcommittee held a remote forum to
examine concerns related to VA's resumption of in-person exams,
including public health and safety, and VBA's ability to
swiftly respond to a mounting claims backlog. Participants
included: Mr. Derek Fronabarger, Director of Government
Affairs, the Wounded Warrior Project; Mr. Matthew Doyle,
Associate Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of
Foreign Wars; Mr. Richard Loeb, Senior Counsel for Policy,
Office of the National President, American Federation of
Government Employees; and Ms. Elizabeth Curda, Director of
Education, Workforce and Income Security Issues, Government
Accountability Office.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Stuck in Red Tape: How VA's Regulatory Policies
Prevent Bad Paper Veterans From Accessing Critical Benefits''
On July 8, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session (in-
person and via Cisco Webex) to conduct an oversight hearing to
examine concerns related to the way that VA processes character
of discharge determinations and its impact on veterans with
other than honorable (OTH) discharges ability to receive VA
health care and disability benefits. The Subcommittee received
testimony from two panels. The following witnesses testified on
the first panel: Ms. Laurine Carson, Policy Assistant Director,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Mr. Garth G. Miller, Executive Director, Member
Service, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the
second panel: Ms. Maureen Siedor, Legal Director, Swords to
Plowshares; Ms. Dana Montalto, Attorney and Clinic Instructor,
Veterans Law and Disability Benefits Clinic, Harvard Law
School; and Mr. Kristofer Goldsmith, Founder and President,
High Ground Veterans Advocacy.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Toxic Exposures: Examining Airborne Hazards in
the Southwest Asia Theater of Military Operations''
On September 23, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session
(in-person and via Cisco Webex) to conduct an oversight hearing
to examine concerns related to the status of VA's presumptive
disability decision-making process. The following non-Committee
Member participated at the request of the Subcommittee Chair:
Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. (California). There were two
witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the first
panel: Ms. Laurine Carson, Policy Assistant Director, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Dr. Patricia Hastings, Chief Consultant, Post-Deployment Health
Services, Office of Patient Care Services/Public Health,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Michael J. Falvo, Scientific Director, Airborne
Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence, War Related Illness
and Injury Study Center, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Sverre Vedal, MD, MSc,
Committee Member, 2020 Report on Respiratory Health Effects of
Airborne Hazards Exposure in the Southwest Asia Theater of
Military Operations, Professor Emeritus, Department of
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of
Public Health, University of Washington; and Dr. David A.
Butler, PhD, Scholar, The National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine. The following witnesses testified on
the second panel: Mr. Shane Liermann, Deputy National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; and Mr. Caleb
R. Stone, Esq., Professor of the Practice and Co-Director, The
Lewis B. Puller, Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic, William & Mary
Law School.
Subcommittee Hearing--``The Toxic World of Presumptive Service
Connection Determinations: Why Should Our Veterans Wait?''
On December 9, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session
(in-person and via Cisco Webex) to conduct an oversight hearing
to examine the presumptive service connection process at the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from creation to
implementation as well as explore ways that VA can create a
more consistent and transparent approach to compensating toxic
exposure and reducing the disability benefits denial rate for
this veteran cohort. The Subcommittee received testimony from
two panels. The following witnesses testified on the first
panel: Ms. Beth Murphy, Executive Director, Compensation
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Laurine Carson, Deputy Executive
Director, Policy & Procedures, Compensation Service, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Dr. Patricia Hastings, Chief Consultant, Post-Deployment Health
Services, Office of Patient Care Services/Public Health,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Elizabeth Curda, Director, Education, Workforce,
and Income Security, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Ms.
Elizabeth Field, Director, Defense Capabilities & Management
Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office; and Dr. Sverre
Vedal, Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental and
Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School
of Public Health. The following witnesses testified on the
second panel: The Honorable David Shulkin, MD, Former
Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Anita
Ritchie, Senior National Service Officer for Benefits and
Appeals, Wounded Warrior Project.
SITE VISITS
Nashville, Tennessee. On March 19-23, 2019, majority and
minority Subcommittee staff conducted a site visit and heard
from stakeholders in Nashville, TN, regarding training at the
National Organization of Veterans' Advocates and the Veterans
Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017.
Additionally, Subcommittee staff assessed the Nashville
Regional Benefits Office and Nashville National Cemetery to
ensure compliance with regulations and law. Moreover, minority
Subcommittee staff conducted oversight of the STAR facility.
Majority and minority Subcommittee staff also conducted case
file review of veteran's claims to identify and correct claims
processing errors.
Saint Louis, Missouri. On May 1, 2019, majority and
minority Subcommittee staff conducted a site visit and heard
from stakeholders. The visit included a tour of the National
Cemetery Scheduling Office, meetings with staff to hear their
concerns and seek a better understanding of the operations of
the centralized processing center for the National Cemetery
Administration. Additionally, Subcommittee staff assessed the
Jefferson-Barracks National Cemetery (JBNC) to ensure
compliance with national standards.
Denver, Colorado. On June 10, 2019, majority Subcommittee
staff conducted a site visit and heard from stakeholders.
Subcommittee staff assessed the Denver Regional Benefits
Office, Fort Logan National Cemetery, and VA Medical Center to
ensure compliance with regulations and law.
Janesville, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois. On July 8,
2019, majority Subcommittee staff conducted a site visit and
heard from stakeholders at the Janesville mail scanning
facility to evaluate the centralized mail intake system and the
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery to ensure compliance with
regulations and law.
Seattle, Washington. On August 26, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff conducted a site visit and heard from
stakeholders at the Seattle Regional Benefits Office and the
satellite appeals center to ensure compliance with regulations
and law.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On September 13, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff conducted a site visit to observe contractor
training and heard from stakeholders regarding the VA
disability examination process.
Phoenix, Arizona. On January 21-22, 2020, minority
Subcommittee staff conducted a site visit and heard from
stakeholders at the Phoenix Regional Benefits Office and the
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona to ensure compliance with
regulations and law. Minority staff also conducted case file
review of veteran's claims to identify and correct claims
processing errors.
Little Rock, Arkansas. On February 18-21, 2020, minority
Subcommittee staff conducted a site visit and heard from
stakeholders at the Little Rock Regional Benefits Office to
ensure compliance with regulations and law. Additionally,
minority Subcommittee staff visited the Arkansas State Veterans
Cemetery to examine the cemetery's use of the monetary grant it
received under VA's Veteran's Cemetery Grant Program. Minority
Subcommittee staff also conducted case file review of veteran's
claims to identify and correct claims processing errors.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
MIKE LEVIN, California, Chairman
GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida, Ranking Member
KATHLEEN RICE, New York JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
ANTHONY BRINDISI, New York JIM BANKS, Indiana
CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire ANDY BARR, Kentucky
ELAINE G. LURIA, Virginia DANIEL MEUSER, Pennsylvania
SUSIE LEE, Nevada
JOE CUNNINGHAM, South Carolina
Justin Vogt, Majority Staff Director
Jon Clark, Minority Staff Director
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--H.R. 95, H.R. 444, H.R. 1718,
a discussion draft ``To amend title 38, United States
Code, to make certain improvements to the educational
assistance programs of the Department of Veterans
Affairs with respect to flight training programs and
certain other programs of education, and for other
purposes,'' a discussion draft ``Justice for
Servicemembers Act,'' a discussion draft ``To amend the
United States Housing Act of 1937 and title 38, United
States Code, to expand eligibility for the HUD-VASH
program, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
submit annual reports to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives
regarding homeless veterans, and for other purposes,''
a discussion draft ``Homes for Our Heroes Act of
2019,'' a discussion draft ``Veteran Employment and
Child Care Access Act,'' a discussion draft ``BRAVE
Act,'' a discussion draft ``To clarify seasoning
requirements for certain refinanced mortgage loans, and
for other purposes,'' a discussion draft ``Navy SEAL
Chief Petty Officer William ``Bill'' Mulder (Ret.)
Transition Improvement Act,'' a discussion draft ``VET
OPP Act,'' a discussion draft ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, to adjust certain limits on the
guaranteed amount of a home loan under the home loan
program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for
other purposes,'' a discussion draft ``To amend title
38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to
the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program of the
Department of Veterans Affairs,'' a discussion draft
``To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand
eligibility for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David
Fry Scholarship to children and spouses of certain
members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces
who die from service-connected disabilities, and for
other purposes,'' a discussion draft ``To amend title
38, United States Code, to improve the ability of
veterans to receive in-state tuition using educational
assistance administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.''
On April 9, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing on the above legislation. The
Subcommittee received testimony from one witness panel. The
following witnesses testified: Ms. Margarita Devlin, Principal
Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Ashlynne Haycock, Deputy Policy Director for Education Support
Services; Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS); Mr.
Patrick Murray, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. John Kamin, Assistant Director,
Veterans Employment and Education Division; The American
Legion; and Ms. Rebecca Burgess, Program Manager, the
Citizenship Project, American Enterprise Institute.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--A discussion draft ``To amend
title 38, United States Code, to authorize State
approving agencies to carry out outreach activities,''
A discussion draft ``To amend title 38, United States
Code, to require that educational institutions abide by
Principles of Excellence as a condition of approval for
purposes of the educational assistance programs of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other
purposes,'' A discussion draft ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, to require proprietary for-profit
educational institutions to comply with Federal revenue
limits to participate in educational assistance
programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs,'' A
discussion draft ``To amend title 38, United States
Code, to require that certain educational institutions
have letters of credit as a condition of approval for
purposes of the educational assistance programs of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other
purposes,'' A discussion draft ``Forever GI Bill Class
Evaluation Act,'' A discussion draft ``VA Economic
Hardship Report Act,'' A discussion draft ``To
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to collect
overpayments of specially adapted housing assistance,''
H.R. 2924 ``Housing for Women Veterans Act,'' H.R. 2227
``Gold Star Spouses and Spouses of Injured
Servicemembers Leasing Relief Expansion Act of 2019,''
A discussion draft ``Legal Services for Homeless
Veterans Act,'' H.R. 716 ``Homeless Veterans Legal
Services Act,'' A discussion draft ``GI Bill Access to
Career Credentials Act,'' A discussion draft, ``To
amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the time
period under which an election must be made for
entitlement to educational assistance under the All-
Volunteer Educational Assistance Program of Department
of Veterans Affairs,'' H.R. 561 ``Protecting Business
Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2019,'' H.R. 1615
``Verification Alignment and Service-disabled Business
Adjustment Act'' or the ``VA-SBA Act,'' H.R. 2618 ``To
amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide a
guarantee of residency for registration of businesses
of spouses of members of the uniformed services, to
improve occupational license portability for military
spouses through interstate compacts, and for other
purposes,'' A discussion draft, ``Student Veteran
Empowerment Act of 2019,'' and A discussion draft, ``To
amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the
monthly housing stipend under the Post-9/11 Educational
Assistance Program for individuals who pursue programs
of education solely through distance learning on more
than a half-time basis.''
On July 17, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing on the above legislation. The
Subcommittee received testimony from two witness panels. The
following witnesses testified on the first panel: Ms. Charmain
Bogue Executive Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Jeffrey London, Executive Director, Loan Guaranty Service,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. David Carroll, Executive Director, Mental Health
Operations, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Sean Clark, National Director,
Veterans Justice Programs, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr.
Patrick Murray, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. John Kamin, Assistant Director,
Veterans Employment and Education Division, The American
Legion; Colonel Robert F. Norton (Ret.), Senior Advisor,
Veterans Education Success; Mr. William Hubbard, Chief of
Staff, Student Veterans of America; Mr. Jeremy M. Villanueva,
Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; and Mr. Timothy ``Tim'' McMahon, President, Triangle
Tech Group, on behalf of Career Education Colleges and
Universities & Veterans for Career Education.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--H.R. 5052, a discussion draft
``To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for
a requirement relating to the timing of the payment of
educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational
Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes'', a discussion draft
``To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program'', a
discussion draft ``To amend title 38, United States
Code, to provide for the treatment by the Department of
Veterans Affairs of for-profit educational institutions
converted to non-profit educational institutions,'' a
discussion draft ``To amend title 38, United States
Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
collect and include certain student outcome information
in the GI Bill comparison tool of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes,'' a
discussion draft ``To amend title 38, United States
Code, to reduce the loan fees paid by certain veterans
who have been affected by major disasters and are
obtaining a new loan guaranteed, insured, or made by
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other
purposes,'' a discussion draft ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, to increase the frequency of
benefits under the automobile assistance program of the
Department of Veterans Affairs,'' a discussion draft
``To provide for an extended time frame for certain
students to find employment following completion of
Department of Veterans Affairs high technology
education program, and for other purposes,'' a
discussion draft ``To provide for the eligibility of
members of the Armed Forces on terminal leave for the
Department of Veterans Affairs high technology
education program, and for other purposes,'' H.R. 5761,
a discussion draft ``To direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to provide electronic certificates of
eligibility to persons who are entitled to educational
assistance under certain educational assistance
programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs,'' a
discussion draft ``To amend title 38, United States
Code, to make an individual eligible for educational
assistance under chapter 33 of such title and who
transfers such educational assistance to a dependent
solely liable for any overpayment of such educational
assistance,'' a discussion draft ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, to clarify and expand eligibility
for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship,'' a
discussion draft ``To amend the Harry W. Colmery
Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 to expand
eligibility for high technology programs of education
and the class of providers who may enter into contracts
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide such
programs.''
On February 6, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., the Subcommittee met in
open session to conduct a legislative hearing on the above
legislation. The following non-Committee Members attended this
hearing: Representative Ben Ray Lujan (New Mexico) and
Representative Kevin McCarthy (California). The following
witnesses testified: Ms. Charmain Bogue, Executive Director,
Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Patrick Murray, Deputy
Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign
Wars; Mr. John Kamin, Assistant Director, National Veterans
Employment and Education Division, The American Legion; Mr.
Justin Monk, Policy Associate, Student Veterans of America; and
Mr. Morgan D. Brown, National Legislative Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--H.R. 2224, H.R. 5056, H.R.
5324, a discussion draft ``To amend title 38, United
States Code, to extend the period of housing assistance
for students whose schools temporarily close due to
natural disasters or declared emergencies,'' a
discussion draft ``To amend titles 38 and 10, United
States Code, to make certain improvements to
educational assistance administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs and to the Transition Assistance
Program and Skillbridge program of the Department of
Defense,'' a discussion draft ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to reimburse a recipient of a certain
grant, made by the Secretary relating to homeless
veterans, the fee to use the homeless management
information system,'' a discussion draft ``To direct
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a Native
VetSuccess on Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot
Program,'' a discussion draft ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to conduct consumer testing to improve the
internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs
that provides individuals with postsecondary education
information,'' a discussion draft ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, and the Honoring America's Veterans
and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, to
make certain enhancements to grants and agreements
between the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and entities
that provide services to homeless veterans,'' a
discussion draft ``To authorize the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to enter into a memorandum of
understanding with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services to coordinate case management services for
veterans receiving housing vouchers under Tribal HUD
VASH program,'' a discussion draft ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, to clarify the location of an
educational institution conducting programs of
education exclusively by distance learning for purposes
of the Department of Veterans Affairs approval
process,'' a discussion draft ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for
certain contributions made by such members towards
Post-9/11 Educational Assistance,'' a discussion draft
``To rename the Department of Veterans Affairs
Vocational Rehabilitation Program as the Vocational
Readiness and Employment Program, and for other
purposes,'' a discussion draft ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, to make a technical correction to
clarify that colleges and universities located outside
the United States may participate in the Yellow Ribbon
Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.''
On March 10, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing on the above legislation. The
following non-Committee Members attended this hearing:
Representative Scott Peters (California) and Representative
Katie Porter (California). The following witnesses testified:
Ms. Charmain Bogue, Executive Director, Education Service,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Keith Harris, Director of Clinical Operations,
Homelessness Program Office, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Frank Yoakum,
Executive Director, Enlisted Association of the National Guard
of the United States; Mr. Justin Hauschild, Legal Fellow,
Student Veterans of America; and Mr. Patrick Murray, Deputy
Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign
Wars.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Field Hearing--``Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Ensuring
the Success of our Student Veterans''
On April 24, 2019, at Grossmont College in El Cajon, CA,
the Subcommittee jointly with the Committee on Education and
Labor, Higher Education and Workforce Investments (HEWI)
Subcommittee held a field hearing to examine why and how
student veterans can be heavily recruited by for-profit
colleges and explored legislative recommendations to better
protect student veterans from unscrupulous practices from some
of these institutions. The following non-Committee Member
attended this hearing: Representative Susan Davis (California).
The following witnesses testified: Mr. Robert Muth, Academic
Director, Legal Clinics, Professor in Residence, Supervision
Attorney, Veterans Legal Clinic, University of San Diego School
of Law; Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley, California Community
Colleges; Mr. Robert Shireman, Director of Higher Education
Excellence and Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation; and Ms.
Kristyl Rodriguez.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Fiscal Year 2020 President's Budget: Requests
Related to Veterans' Readjustment Benefits''
On April 30, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
examine the FY 2020 budget proposal. There were two witness
panels. The following witnesses testified on the first panel:
Ms. Margarita Devlin, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for
Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Brian Davis, Director for Defense
Personnel and Family Support Center, Department of Defense. The
following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Patrick
Murray, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans
of Foreign Wars on behalf of the Independent Budget; Mr. Steven
Henry, Associate Legislative Director for Paralyzed Veterans of
America; Mr. Jeremy Villanueva, Assistant National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Larry Lohmann, Senior
Legislative Associate, The American Legion; and Mr. William
Hubbard, Chief of Staff, Student Veterans of America.
Subcommittee Joint Hearing--``Examining Ongoing Forever GI Bill
Implementation Efforts''
On May 9, 2019, the Subcommittees on Economic Opportunity
and Technology Modernization met in open session to conduct a
joint oversight hearing examining VA's implementation of the
Forever GI Bill and related information technology used by the
Education Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. The
following witnesses testified: The Honorable Dr. Paul R.
Lawrence, Under Secretary, Veterans Benefits Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Charmain Bogue, Acting
Executive Director, Education Services, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; The
Honorable Mr. James P. Gfrerer, Assistant Secretary, Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Robert Orifici, Information Technology Specialist
for Architecture, Strategy, and Design, Office of Information
and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; The
Honorable Michael J. Missal, Inspector General, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Jay Schnitzer, Vice President,
Chief Technology Officer, The MITRE Corporation.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Evaluating the Effectiveness of VA Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Programs''
On June 4, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing examining VA's Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment programs. The following witnesses
testified: Mr. William Streitberger, Director, Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment Service, Veterans Benefit
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Patrick Murray, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Derek Fronabarger, Director,
Legislative Affairs, The Wounded Warrior Project; Mr. Jeremy
Villanueva, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Mr. Steven Henry, Associate Legislative
Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; and Ms. Tanya Ang,
Vice President, Veterans Education Success.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Examining Mid-Semester School Closures Impact
on Student Veterans''
On June 19, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing examining how school closures were
impacting student veterans receiving education benefits. The
following witnesses testified: Ms. Charmain Bogue, Acting
Executive Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ms. Robin
Minor, Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Partner Participation
and Oversight, Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of
Education; Ms. Melissa Emrey-Arras, Director for Education,
Workforce and Income Security, U.S. Government Accountability
Office; and Mr. Joseph Wescott II, Ed.D., National Legislative
Liaison, National Association of State Approving Agencies.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Economic Well-Being of Women Veterans''
On July 10, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing examining economic issues
impacting women veterans. The following witnesses testified:
Ms. Lauren Augustine, Vice President of Government Affairs,
Student Veterans of America; Mrs. Maureen Casey, J.D., Chief
Operating Officer, Institute for Veterans and Military
Families, Syracuse University; Ms. Jas Boothe, Founder, Final
Salute, Inc; Ms. Christine Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer,
Service to School; and Ms. Jodie Grenier, Chief Executive
Officer, Foundation for Women Warriors.
Subcommittee Field Hearing--``Housing our Heroes: Addressing the
Veteran Homelessness Crisis''
On August 22, 2019, at the North County Coastal Military &
Veterans Affairs Resource Center in Oceanside, CA, the
Subcommittee met in open session to conduct a field hearing to
examine policy issues related to veteran homelessness such as
risk factors, improvements to programs VA and the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, unique challenges faced by women
veterans, and additional challenges homeless veterans face in
areas such as nutrition, the criminal justice system, health
care, and employment. The following non-Committee Member
attended this hearing: Rep. Scott Peters (California). There
were two witness panels for this hearing. The following
witnesses testified on the first panel: Dr. Robert Smith,
Director of the San Diego VA Health Care System, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
R. ``Hunter'' Kurtz, Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Mr.
Nathan Fletcher, Supervisor, San Diego County; and Ms. Ginny
Puddefoot, Executive Officer, California Homeless Coordinating
and Financing Council. The following witnesses testified on the
second panel: Mr. Ron Stark, President, San Diego Veteran's
Coalition; Ms. Kimberly Mitchell, President and CEO, Veterans
Village of San Diego; Mr. Matt Schillingburg, Commander,
American Legion Post 146; Mr. Greg Anglea, Chief Executive
Officer, Interfaith Community Services; and Ms. Tamera Kohler,
Chief Executive Officer, San Diego Regional Task Force on the
Homeless.
Subcommittee Field Hearing--``Combating Veteran Homelessness in the
Tampa Bay Area''
On September 16, 2019, at the West Pasco Government Center
in New Port Richey, FL, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a field hearing examining efforts by Federal, state,
and local governments to partner with community providers to
reduce homelessness among veterans. The hearing explored best
practices that are being used in the Tampa Bay area to help
homeless veterans and look for ways to improve all programs to
end veteran homelessness. The following non-Committee Member
attended this hearing: Representative Ross Spano (Florida). The
following witnesses testified: Mr. Joe D. Battle, Director,
James A. Haley Veterans' Medical Center, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Danny
Burgess, Executive Director, Florida Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. David Lambert, Chairman, the Pasco County Housing
Authority; Mr. Michael Raposa, Chief Executive Officer, St.
Vincent DePaul CARES; Mr. Brian Anderson, Founder and CEO of
Veterans Alternative; and Ms. Mary White, U.S., Army veteran.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Protecting Benefits for All Servicemembers''
On October 23, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing examining issues related to the
change of the Armed Forces' reserve components from a strategic
reserve to an operational reserve; including examining the lack
of parity for military service, if service hinders civilian
careers, and whether transition programs are sufficient for
Guard and Reserve servicemembers. The following witnesses
testified: Major General Dawne Deskins, Director, Manpower and
Personnel, National Guard Bureau; Major General Michael C.
O'Guinn, Deputy Chief, U.S. Army Reserve; Mr. Daniel Elkins,
Legislative Director, Enlisted Association of the National
Guard of the United States; Mr. J. Roy Robinson, President, the
National Guard Association of the United States; and Ms. Susan
Lukas, Director, Legislation and Military Policy, Reserve
Officer Association of the United States.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Examining Ongoing Forever GI Bill
Implementation Efforts''
On November 19, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing examining VA's continued
efforts to implement the Forever GI Bill. The following
witnesses testified: The Honorable Dr. Paul R. Lawrence, Under
Secretary, Veterans Benefits Administration. U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Charmain Bogue, Executive Director,
Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; The Honorable Mr. James P.
Gfrerer, Assistant Secretary, Office of Information and
Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Robert
Orifici, Information Technology Specialist for Architecture,
Strategy, and Design, Office of Information and Technology,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Jay Schnitzer,
Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, the MITRE
Corporation.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Reviewing the Availability of Resources to
Address Veteran Hunger''
On January 9, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight to examine veteran food insecurity. The
following witnesses testified: Dr. Thomas O'Toole, Senior
Medical Advisor, Providence VA Medical Center, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Christine Going, MPA, RD, FACHE, Co-Chairperson, Veterans Heath
Affairs Ensuring Veterans Food Security Workgroup, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Ms. Pamilyn ``Pam'' Miller, Administrator, Food and Nutrition
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. The following
witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Josh Protas, Vice
President of Public Policy, Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger;
Ms. Denise Hollywood, Chief Community & Programs Officer, Blue
Star Families; and Mr. Vince Hall, CEO, Feeding San Diego,
Community & Programs Officer.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Making HUD-VASH Work for all Veteran
Communities''
On January 14, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing examining access to HUD-VASH in
urban, suburban, rural, and tribal communities and work to
determine where bottlenecks exist in delivering resources in
communities of all sizes. There were two witness panels. The
following witnesses testified on the first panel: Dr. Keith
Harris, National Director of Clinical Operations, VA Homeless
Program Office, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. R. ``Hunter'' Kurtz, Assistant
Secretary of Public and Indian Housing, U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development. The following witnesses
testified on the second panel: Mr. Steve Berg, Vice President
for Programs and Policy, National Alliance to End Homelessness;
Ms. Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer, National Coalition
for Homeless Veterans; Mr. Greg Anglea, Chief Executive Officer
at Interfaith Community Services; Ms. Tamera Kohler, Chief
Executive Officer, San Diego's Regional Task Force on the
Homeless; and Mr. Gary Cooper, Chairman of the Board of
Directors, National American Indian Housing Council, and
Executive Director, Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation.
Subcommittee Roundtable--``Discussion with VA Loan Guaranty Service on
the State of the Market and Steps Ahead''
On May 14, 2020, the Subcommittee held a public roundtable
to allow the VA Loan Guaranty Service to share information
regarding the impact of COVID-19 on veterans' home loans and
implementation of the CARES Act. Presenting was Mr. Jeffrey
London, MPA, Executive Director, Loan Guaranty Service, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Getting Veterans Back to Work After COVID-19''
On July 21, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session (in-
person and via Cisco Webex) to conduct an oversight hearing
examining federal education and employment programs, along with
private and local initiatives to address unemployment caused by
COVID-19. There were two witness panels. The following
witnesses testified on the first panel: Ms. Margarita Devlin,
Principal Undersecretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Charmain Bogue, Executive Director, Education Service, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs;
and Mr. John Lowry, Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment &
Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor. The following
witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. David Porter,
Executive Director, Helmets To Hardhats; Mr. Eric Eversole,
President, Hiring our Heroes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Foundation; and Mr. Maurice D. Wilson, President, National
Veterans Transition Services, Inc. also known as Reboot.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Coordinating Transition Resources''
On August 28, 2020, the Subcommittee met in an open session
(via Cisco WebEx) to conduct an oversight hearing examining
thegaps in coordination and opportunities for synergy among the
plethora of resources available to veterans through VA and
other federal and nongovernmental entities. The following
witnesses testified: Mr. Ray Flores, Executive Director, San
Diego Veterans Coalition, Office of Military and Veterans
Affairs, County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency;
Mr. Daniel Romero, Senior Program Director, SAY San Diego;
Brigadier General Paul Lebidine (Ret.), Director, M.Dyer
Global; and Mr. Brian Anderson, Founder and CEO, Veterans
Alternative.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Identifying Congressional and Administration
Priorities for the Next Congress: How we can support our
Veterans through and after COVID-19''
On December 8, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session
(via Cisco WebEx) to conduct an oversight hearing examining
outstanding veterans' economic priorities for the new Congress
and Administration, as the 116th Congress wraps up work and
begins transition to the 117th Congress in the midst of the
COVID-19 pandemic. The following witnesses testified: Mr. Pat
Murray, Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of
Foreign Wars; Mr. John Kamin, Assistant Director, Veterans
Employment & Education Division, the American Legion; Ms.
Maureen Elias, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; Ms. Ashlynne Haycock, Deputy Director,
Policy, Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors; Mr. Victor
LaGroon, Director, Black Veteran Empowerment Council; Ms.
Lauren Augustine, Vice President of Government Affairs, Student
Veterans of America; and Ms. Tanya Ang, Vice President,
Veterans Education Success.
SITE VISITS
Orlando, Florida, Student Veterans of America National
Conference. On January 3-6, 2019, the majority and minority
staff of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee traveled to
Orlando, FL. Personnel from the Senate Veterans' Affairs also
attended the National Conference. The majority Subcommittee
staff met with Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment staff
and the majority and minority staff members participated in a
Congressional Panel at the Student Veterans of America National
Conference. Chairman Takano joined the trip on January 5 and
visited VA's Lake Nova Medical Center. The Chairman also spoke
at the Student Veterans of America National Conference.
Oakland, California, VA Regional Office. On July 11, 2019,
the majority Economic Opportunity Subcommittee staff visited
the VA Oakland Regional Office. The Subcommittee staff met with
Regional Office Leadership, Veteran Service Organizations,
union representation, and front-line staff. The Subcommittee
staff spoke with Vocational Rehabilitation supervisors and
counselors.
Indianapolis, Indiana, VA Regional Office. On July 19,
2019, the majority Economic Opportunity Subcommittee staff
visited the VA Indianapolis Regional Office. The Subcommittee
met with Regional Office Leadership, Veteran Service
Organizations, union representation, and front-line staff. The
Subcommittee spoke with Vocational Rehabilitation supervisors
and counselors.
Naples, Italy, Ramstein, Germany, Wiesbaden, Germany (NSA
Naples, Ramstein AB, USAG Clay Kaserne). On August 4-9, 2019,
majority and minority staff of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees were accompanied by Senate Armed Services
Committee staff, and traveled to Germany and Italy to conduct
congressional oversight of OCONUS TAP at Army, Air Force, and
Navy bases. The delegation gathered information on the
transition process for service members and learn about the
difficulties for service members and families transitioning out
of the military from overseas posts.
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. Army Conference for TAP. On
August 12-16, 2019, the majority staff of the Economic
Opportunity Subcommittee traveled to Louisville, KY to observe
the U.S. Army conference for Transition Assistance Program
personnel in preparation for the implementation of new
requirements related to transition in the Fiscal Year 2019
National Defense Authorization Act. Personnel from minority and
the Senate Veterans' Affairs also attended the U.S. Army
Conference for TAP. While in Louisville, the Subcommittee staff
visited the VA Louisville Regional Office. The Subcommittee
staff met with Regional Office Leadership, Veteran Service
Organizations, union representation, and front-line staff. The
Subcommittee staff spoke with Vocational Rehabilitation
supervisors and counselors.
San Diego, California (NBSD, USCG San Diego, MCAS Miramar,
MCB Camp Pendleton). On August 19-21, 2019 the majority and
minority staff of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee
traveled to visit Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, MCAS
Miramar and Coast Guard assets to provide congressional
oversight on transition and education programs on these
installations.
Denver, Colorado, National Guard convention. On August 30-
September 2, 2019, the majority staff of the Economic
Opportunity Subcommittee traveled to Denver, CO to observe the
National Guard Association of the United States annual
convention. The Subcommittee staff met with senior National
Guard Bureau personnel and state Adjutants General to discuss
the impact of the reserve component becoming an operational
reserve on benefits and employment for National Guard
personnel. While in Denver, the Subcommittee staff visited the
VA Denver Regional Office. The Subcommittee staff met with
Regional Office Leadership, Veteran Service Organizations,
union representation, and front-line staff. The Subcommittee
staff spoke with Vocational Rehabilitation supervisors and
counselors.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, NAVPA Annual Conference. On
October 14-16, 2019, the majority Economic Opportunity
Subcommittee traveled to Oklahoma City, OK to participate and
observe the National Association of Veterans' Program
Administrators (NAVPA) annual training and conference.
Personnel from minority and the Senate Veterans' Affairs also
attended NAVPA's Annual Conference. The Subcommittee staff sat
on a panel during the conference and briefed the conference
attendees on the legislative priorities of the House Veterans'
Affairs Committee in the 116th Congress. The Subcommittee staff
met NAVPA leadership and a number school certifying officials
to discuss issues that schools are experiencing when
implementing the Forever GI Bill. The Subcommittee also met
VSOs to discuss education policy for veterans.
Muskogee, Oklahoma, VA Regional Office. On October 17,
2019, the majority and minority staff of Economic Opportunity
Subcommittee visited the VA Muskogee Regional Office. The
Subcommittee met with Regional Office Leadership, Veteran
Service Organizations, union representation, and front-line
staff. The Subcommittee spoke with regional office staff about
educational claims processing.
Killeen, Ft. Hood, Texas. On October 18, 2019, the majority
staff of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee visited Ft.
Hood, TX to conduct oversight of the implementation of the
Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The Subcommittee staff met
with base leadership at Ft. Hood to discuss the TAP program and
resources for the Reservist and National Guard servicemembers
who mobilize and demobilize through Ft. Hood.
Austin, Camp Mabry and Futures Command, Texas. On October
21, 2019, the majority staff of the Economic Opportunity
Subcommittee visited Camp Mabry, TX to meet with the Texas
National Guard leadership to discuss benefit parity between
service components. The Subcommittee staff met with the
leadership of Futures Command to discuss to veteran
entrepreneurship and opportunities for veterans to work with
the Futures Command.
Muskogee, Oklahoma VA Regional Office. On October 31-
November 1, 2019, the staff of the Economic Opportunity
Subcommittee and Chairman Levin visited the Muskogee VA
Regional Office to conduct oversight on the implementation of
section 107 and 501 of the Forever GI Bill. Chairman Levin and
Subcommittee staff met VA Undersecretary of Benefits Dr. Paul
Lawrence, regional office leadership, and front-line staff.
Chairman Levin and Subcommittee toured the educational
processing and call center of the regional office.
Buffalo, New York, VA Regional Office. On November 21,
2019, the majority and minority staff of the Economic
Opportunity Subcommittee staff visited the Buffalo, NY VA
Regional Office to conduct oversight on the implementation of
section 107 and 501 of the Forever GI Bill, along with program
updates of VET TEC and the Edith Nourse Rogers Science
Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship. In addition,
the Subcommittee discussed overall needs for the site and
nationwide to implement needed technology upgrades. The
Subcommittee staff also met with AFGE to discuss labor
relations at the site.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH
JULIA BROWNLEY, California, Chairwoman
NEAL DUNN, M.D., Florida, Ranking Member
CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN, American
MIKE LEVIN, California Samoa
ANTHONY BRINDISI, New York ANDY BARR, Kentucky
MAX ROSE, New York DAN MEUSER, Pennsylvania
GILBERT CISNEROS, California W. GREGORY STEUBE, Florida
GREGORIO KILILI SABLAN, Northern
Mariana Islands
Elizabeth Mackenzie, Majority Staff Director
Christine Hill, Minority Staff Director
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--``H.R. 712, H.R 2333, H.R. 2359, H.R.
2372, H.R. 2340, H.R. 1647, H.R. 2191, and H.R. 100''
On April 30, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing on the above legislation. The
hearing included two panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Representative Earl Blumenauer (Oregon),
Representative Anthony Brindisi (New York), Representative Lou
Correa (California), Representative Conor Lamb (Pennsylvania),
Representative Max Rose (New York), and Representative W.
Gregory Steube (Florida). The following witnesses testified on
the second panel: Dr. Keita Franklin, Ph.D., National Director
of Suicide Prevention, Office of Mental Health and Suicide
Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Tracy Gaudet, Director, Office of Patient
Centered Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Larry Mole, Chief Consultant
Population Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Joy Ilem, National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Carlos
Fuentes, Director National Legislative Service, Veterans of
Foreign Wars; Ms. Stephanie Mullen, Research Director, Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--``H.R. 1163, H.R. 1527, H.R. 2628,
H.R. 2645, H.R. 2681, H.R. 2752, H.R. 2798, H.R. 2816, H.R.
2972, H.R. 2982, H.R. 3036, H.R. 3224, H.R. 3636, H.R. 3798,
H.R. 3867, H.R. 4096, and a draft bill to establish in the
Department of Veterans Affairs the Office of Women's Health,
and for other purposes''
On September 11, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
and held a legislative hearing on the above legislation. The
hearing included two panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Teresa Boyd, Assistant Deputy Under
Secretary for Health for Clinical Operations, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Patricia Hayes, Chief Consultant, Office of Women's Health
Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Dr. David Carroll, Executive Director,
Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The
following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Jeremy
Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
of America; Mr. Roscoe Butler, Associate Legislative Director,
Paralyzed Veterans of America; and Ms. Joy Ilem, National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Hearing--``Cultural Barriers Impacting Women Veterans'
Access to Healthcare''
On May 2, 2019, the Subcommittee, in coordination with the
Women Veterans Task Force, met in open session and held an
oversight hearing to examine cultural barriers that impact
women veterans' access to care. The hearing included two
witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the first
panel: Ms. Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Ms. Lindsay Church, CEO, Minority Veterans
of America; Ms. Ginger Miller, President and CEO of Women
Veterans Interactive; Ms. BriGette McCoy, CEO and Founder,
Women Veteran Social Justice Network; Ms. Lory Manning,
Director of Government Relations, Service Women's Action
Network; Ms. Ellen Haring, CEO, Service Women's Action Network.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Dr.
Patricia Hayes, Chief Consultant for Women's Health Services,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Subcommittee Joint Hearing--``Military and Veteran Suicide:
Understanding the Problem and Preparing for the Future''
On May 21, 2019, the Subcommittee held a joint hearing with
the Subcommittee on Military Personnel of the House Armed
Services Committee to examine actions that can be taken to
reduce suicides among active duty service members, reserve
component service members, the National Guard, and veterans.
The following witnesses testified: Dr. Elizabeth P. Van Winkle,
Executive Director, Office of Force Resiliency, U.S. Department
of Defense; Captain Mike Colston, M.D., USN, Director, Mental
Health Policy and Oversight, U.S. Department of Defense; Dr.
Keita Franklin, National Director of Suicide Prevention,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Michael Fisher, Chief Readjustment Counseling
Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Joint Hearing--``MISSION Critical: Caring for Our Heroes''
On May 22, 2019, the Subcommittees on Health and Technology
Modernization met in open session to conduct a joint hearing to
examine the delayed implementation of the Program of
Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) at VA,
including multiple failed efforts to develop an eligibility
tool and management system. The hearing included two witness
panels. The following witnesses testified on the first panel:
Dr. Steven Lieberman, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary
for Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Elyse Kaplan, Deputy Director, Caregiver
Support Program, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Alan Constantian, Deputy
Chief Information Officer, Account Management, Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Carol Harris, Director for Information Technology
Acquisition Management, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Dr.
Wendell Ocasio, Chief Medical Officer, AbleVets; and Mr. Ken
Beecher, Director of Acumen Solutions.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Mission Readiness: VA's Emergency Response and
Cache Program''
On June 19, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing examining the findings of the IG's
report from October 31, 2018, Emergency Cache Program:
Ineffective Management Impairs Mission Readiness that
determined the Veterans Health Administration is not
maintaining its Emergency Cache Program in a mission-ready
status. This hearing also assessed the readiness of the Office
of Emergency Management and Emergency Pharmacy Service to
adequately coordinate and resource responses as the frequency
of extreme weather events increases. The following witnesses
testified: Mr. Larry Reinkemeyer, Assistant Inspector General
for Audits and Evaluations, Office of the Inspector General,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Paul Kim, Director,
Office of Emergency Management, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Larry Mole, Chief Consultant for Population Health
Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Steven Steinwandt, Director of
Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Beyond the Million Veteran Program: Barriers to
Precision Medicine''
On June 26, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing examining the intersection of VA's
research mission and the promise of precision medicine. The
following witnesses testified: Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Deputy Under
Secretary for Health for Discovery, Education, and Affiliated
Networks, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Rachel Ramoni, Chief Research and
Development Officer, Office of Research and Development,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Sumitra Muralidhar, Director of the Million
Veteran Program, Office of Research and Development, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Matt Kuntz, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental
Illness--Montana; and Dr. Magali Haas, Chief Executive Officer
and President, Cohen Veterans Bioscience and Member of the
Coalition to Heal Invisible Wounds.
Subcommittee Hearing--``MISSION Critical: Care in the Community
Update''
On September 23, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing to examine the first 90 days of
implementation of the Veterans Community Care Program and the
urgent care benefit that were created under the MISSION Act.
The Subcommittee discussed status of program implementation,
what challenges were overcome, and what difficulties, if any,
remained. The hearing included two witness panels. The
following witnesses testified on the first panel: Dr. Richard
Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Kameron Matthews,
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Community Care, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Dr. Jennifer MacDonald, MISSION Act Lead, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The
following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Sharon
Vitti, President, CVS MinuteClinic and Senior Vice President,
CVS Health; Mr. David J. McIntyre, President and Chief
Executive Officer, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Inc.; and Lt.
General Patty Horoho, Chief Executive Officer, OptumServe.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Native Veterans' Access to Care''
On October 30, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing to examine barriers to
healthcare experienced by Native veterans. The hearing included
two witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the
first panel: Andrew C. Joseph Jr., Chairman, Northwest Portland
Area Indian Health Board; Kevin J. Allis, President, National
Congress of American Indians; Chief William Smith, Vice
Chairperson, Alaska Native Health Board; Sonya M. Tetnowski,
CEO, National Council on Urban Indian Health; Chief Marilynn
Malerba, Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut and the Indian Health
Service Tribal Self-Governance Advisory Committee. The
following witnesses testified on the second panel: Dr. Kameron
Matthews, Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Community Care,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veteran
Affairs; Dr. Thomas Klobuchar, Executive Director of the Office
of Rural Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Benjamin Smith, Deputy
Director for Intergovernmental Affairs, Indian Health Service.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Achieving Health Equity for America's Minority
Veterans''
On February 11, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing to examine systemic barriers
experienced by underserved minority veteran communities. The
hearing included two witness panels. The following witnesses
testified on the first panel: Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Deputy Under
Secretary for Health for Discovery, Education and Affiliate
Networks, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Ernest Moy, Executive Director, Office of
Health Equity, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Donna Washington, Attending
Physician, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The
following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Kayla
Williams, Senior Fellow and Military, Veterans, and Society
Program Director, Center for a New American Security; and
Melissa Bryant, Legislative Director, The American Legion.
Subcommittee Joint Hearing--``Mission Critical: Examining Provider
Relations During the Transition to VA's New Community Care
Program''
On February 12, 2020, the Subcommittee on Health, jointly
with the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, met in
open session and held a hearing to examine provider relations
during the transition to the Veterans Community Care Program
created under the MISSION Act. The following witnesses
testified: Dr. Kameron Matthews, Deputy Under Secretary for
Health for Community Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; David J. McIntyre, President
and Chief Executive Officer, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Inc.;
Lieutenant General (Ret.) Patricia D. Horoho, Chief Executive
Officer, OptumServe, Inc.; William A. Dombi, President,
National Association of Home Care & Hospice; Erik L. Golnick,
Co-Founder and CEO, Veteran & First Responder Healthcare; and
Eric Frieman, Co-Founder, Veteran & First Responder Healthcare.
Subcommittee Hearing--``The Silver Tsunami: is VA Ready?''
On March 3, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing to examine VA's ability to meet
the long-term care needs of a large and diverse cohort of aging
veterans at home and in institutional settings. The hearing
included two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Teresa Boyd, Assistant Deputy Under
Secretary for Health for Clinical Operations, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Beth
Taylor, Chief Nursing Officer, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Scotte Hartronft,
Executive Director, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Elyse Kaplan, Deputy Director of the Caregiver
Support Program, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Nikki Clowers, Managing
Director of Health Care, U.S. Government Accountability Office;
and Ms. Karin Wallestad, Assistant Director of Health Care,
U.S. Government Accountability Office. The following witnesses
testified on the second panel: Mr. Adrian Atizado, Deputy
National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; and
Mr. Mark Bowman, President, National Association of State
Veterans Homes.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Mission Readiness: VA's Preparedness for
Natural Disasters During a Pandemic''
On June 3, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session via
Cisco Webex to conduct a fully remote oversight hearing to
examine what specific planning, training, and interagency
coordination VA has conducted to ensure an adequately enabled
response to a natural disaster during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following witnesses testified at the hearing: Mr. Daniel
Sitterly, Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and
Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Tammy Czarnecki, Deputy
Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Deborah Kramer, Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for
Support Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Larry Mole, Executive
Director of the Office of Public Health, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Veterans'' Access to Reproductive Health''
On July 1, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session (in-
person and via Cisco Webex) to conduct an oversight hearing
examining the full spectrum of reproductive health access
within VA. Specifically, the Subcommittee discussed
contraception access, prenatal and maternity care, infertility
treatment and resources, as well as services currently not
available by regulation or statute at VA. In addition, this
hearing examined the continuity of care during major
disruptions such as natural disasters and pandemics. The
following witnesses testified at the hearing: Dr. Patricia
Hayes, Chief Officer, Women's Health Services, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Alicia
Christy, Deputy Director of Reproductive Health, Office of
Women's Health Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mrs. Maureen Elias, Associate
Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; and Ms.
Kayla Williams, Senior Fellow and Director, Military Veterans
and Society Program, Center for a New American Security.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Who's in Charge? Examining Oversight of State
Veterans Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic''
On July 29, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session (in-
person and via Cisco Webex) to conduct an oversight hearing
examining numerous issues related to quality of care and
infection control practices at State Veterans Homes during the
COVID-19 pandemic, including the scope of VA's existing State
Veterans Home inspections and the extent to which VA holds
State Veterans Homes accountable for correcting identified
deficiencies; the extent to which VA has engaged in continuous
oversight and proactive outreach to State Veterans Homes during
the pandemic; and Fourth Mission assistance VA has provided to
State Veteran Homes during the national public health
emergency. In light of several serious COVID-19 outbreaks that
occurred at State Veterans Homes in or near their districts,
several members accepted the Chairwoman's invitation to
participate in this hearing: Representative Richard Neal
(Massachusetts), Representative Joseph Kennedy III
(Massachusetts) (remote attendance), Representative Josh
Gottheimer (New Jersey), and Representative Chrissy Houlahan
(Pennsylvania). The following witness testified at the hearing:
Mr. Paul Barabani, Member, Holyoke Soldiers' Home Coalition
(remote attendance); Ms. Sharon Silas, Director, Health Care,
U.S. Government Accountability Office (remote attendance); Ms.
Melissa Jackson, President, National Association of State
Veterans Homes; Dr. Teresa Boyd, Assistant Under Secretary for
Health for Clinical Services, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; Dr. Beth Taylor, Assistant
Under Secretary for Health for Patient Care Services, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Scotte Hartronft, Executive Director, Office of Geriatrics &
Extended Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs (remote attendance); and Mr. Ryan Lilly,
Director, VA New England Health Care System, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (remote
attendance).
Subcommittee Hearing--``MISSION Critical: Assessing Community Care Wait
Times''
On September 30, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session
(in-person and via Cisco Webex) to conduct an oversight hearing
examining the timeliness of veterans' access to VA community
care since the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
implemented the Veterans Community Care Program authorized by
the MISSION Act. During the hearing, the Subcommittee evaluated
the extent to which VA has met the goals of delivering timely
care to veterans, the appointment scheduling process
established for staff within VA medical facilities to
coordinate veterans' community care, what is currently known
about VA wait times since the implementation of the MISSION
Act, and the extent to which VA incorporated lessons learned
from the Veterans Choice Program into the current community
care program. The following witnesses testified at the hearing:
Mr. Roscoe Butler, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America (remote attendance); Ms. Joy Ilem, National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans (remote
attendance); Mr. Patrick Murray, Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars (remote attendance); Ms.
Sharon Silas, Director, Health Care, U.S. Government
Accountability Office (remote attendance); Dr. Steven Liberman,
Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Mark Upton, Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for
Community Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Jennifer MacDonald, Chief Consultant
to the Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Mr. David McIntyre, President and Chief Executive Officer,
TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Inc. (remote attendance).
SITE VISITS
New Orleans, Louisiana. On April 12, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff traveled to New Orleans, LA, to conduct
oversight at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care
System to learn more about the progress of VA to meet the
healthcare needs of transgender veterans. The New Orleans VAMC
has become a leader in the VA system in meeting the medical and
cultural needs of LGBT patients despite certain regulatory
barriers prohibiting VA from offering fully comprehensive care.
Phoenix VA Medical Center. On April 20, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff traveled to conduct oversight of the
Phoenix, Arizona Veterans Affairs Medical Center, focusing on
the facility's outreach to the veterans at risk of suicide, as
well as the unique services the facility offers to women
veterans.
Oxnard, California. On April 22, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff traveled to Southern California to conduct
oversight at the following VA medical facilities: VA Oxnard
Community Based Outpatient Center, Sepulveda VA Ambulatory
Medical Center, and West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. The
purpose was to visit the women's health centers, examine
suicide prevention efforts, and see preparations for the
implementation of the MISSION Act.
San Juan, Puerto Rico. On June 6, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff traveled to the San Juan, Puerto Rico VA
Medical Center, to conduct oversight on the implementation of
the MISSION Act and to discuss disaster preparedness and
recovery in the two years since Hurricane Maria devastated the
Caribbean.
Detroit, Michigan. On June 5-6, 2019, majority Subcommittee
staff traveled to Detroit, Michigan, to conduct oversight of
the John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center; The visit
focused on witnessing the roll-out of new Veterans Community
Care Program created under the MISSION Act.
West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. On June 6, 2019,
majority Subcommittee staff traveled to the West Palm Beach
Veterans Affairs Medical Center to conduct oversight of the
roll-out of new Veterans Community Care Program created under
the MISSION Act.
Nashville VA Medical Center. On June 6, 2019, minority
Subcommittee staff traveled to the Nashville Veterans Affairs
Medical Center to conduct oversight of the roll-out of the new
Veterans Community Care Program created under the MISSION Act.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. On June 10, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff conducted oversight at the Oklahoma City VA
Medical Center to observe VA's execution of its Fourth Mission
in response to flooding and extreme weather storms that have
prompted states of emergencies for half the population and
displaced thousands. Oversight was also conducted on the
rollout of the MISSION Act and how VA is coordinating quality
care amid ongoing natural disasters. Of immediate concern was
how VA is preventing the fracturing of care and loss of
critical records when community providers' practices are
destroyed, closed for months, or relocated.
US Virgin Islands. On July 19-20, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff conducted oversight of the VA operations in
the U.S. Virgin Islands, focusing on the unique healthcare
challenges for veterans living in regions most acutely impacted
by climate change and to see how VA is or is not serving its
Fourth Mission and what resources, policy changes, and
procedures are needed for mission readiness in these at-risk
regions.
Anchorage, Alaska. On July 29-Aug 2, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff conducted an oversight trip to Anchorage and
Fairbanks VAMCs, and held meetings with active-duty
servicewomen on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, meetings with
Alaska state leadership and women veterans community leaders to
learn of women veterans' health resources at VA and community-
based resources supporting women veterans.
Helena, Montana. On August 12-16, 2019, majority and
minority Subcommittee staff conducted oversight of multiple
rural VA clinics in western Montana to assess implementation of
the MISSION Act, unmet needs, and the unique needs of veterans
in medically underserved communities.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On August 27, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff traveled to the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz
VA Medical Center to conduct oversight and discuss the roll-out
of new Community Care Program created under the MISSION Act.
Atlanta, Georgia. On September 5-6, 2019, majority and
minority staff participated in the Warrior Community
Integration Symposium and hosted a panel focused on legislation
and Hill priorities.
Northern Virginia. On September 5, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff of the Subcommittees on Health and Oversight
and Investigations traveled to Urgent Care sites in Northern
Virginia.
Franklin, Tennessee. On September 28, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff visited Franklin, TN, to conduct oversight
on an organization listed as a partner with VA for the purpose
of reducing veteran suicide.
Nashville, Tennessee. On September 30, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff conducted oversight of the Nashville
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, focusing on the facility's
implementation of the Community Care Network created through
the MISSION Act.
Memphis, Tennessee. On October 2-3, 2019, majority and
minority Subcommittee staff conducted oversight of the Memphis
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, focusing on the facility's
implementation of the Community Care Network created through
the MISSION Act and improvements as part of VA's SAIL program.
Charlotte, North Carolina. On October 7, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff held meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina
for the purpose of designing legislation to support veterans
within the communities where they live.
Greenville, South Carolina. On October 8, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff held meetings in Greenville, South Carolina
for the purpose of designing legislation to support veterans
within the communities where they live.
Syracuse, New York. On October 18, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff held meetings in Syracuse, New York, for the
purpose of understanding the application of a collective impact
model for suicide prevention.
Miami, Florida. On October 23, 2019, majority and minority
Subcommittee staff visited Miami, FL to participate in the
annual conference and speak on a legislative update panel to
members of Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs.
U.S. Virgin Islands. November 4-8, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff conducted oversight of the VA operations in
the U.S. Virgin Islands, focusing on the region's
implementation of the Community Care Network created through
the MISSION Act.
Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation and Standing Rock
Sioux Indian Reservation. On January 23-26, 2020, majority and
minority Subcommittee staff visited tribal governments who have
established MOUs with VA, to tour health facilities reimbursed
by VA, and to learn from tribal members how to improve care.
Martinsburg, West Virginia. On March 6, 2020, majority
Subcommittee staff visited the Martinsburg VA to conduct
oversight of the roll-out of new Community Care Program created
under the MISSION Act.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT
AND INVESTIGATIONS
CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire, Chairman
JACK BERGMAN, Michigan, Ranking Member
KATHLEEN RICE, New York AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN, American
MAX ROSE, New York Samoa
GILBERT CISNEROS, California MIKE BOST, Illinois
COLLIN PETERSON, Minnesota CHIP ROY, Texas
Peter Tyler, Majority Staff Director
Christopher McNamee, Minority Staff Director
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--``H.R. 1133; H.R. 4949; H.R. 5245;
H.R. 5843; and a draft bill to align the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) Chief Financial Officer's authority with federal
law''
On March 10, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing on the above legislation. The
hearing included two panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: The Honorable Jon Rychalski, Assistant
Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Christopher Wilber,
Counselor to the Inspector General, Office of the Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Shane
Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director for Benefits,
Disabled American Veterans; and Mr. Michael Figlioli, Deputy
Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms.
Jessica Bonjorni, Acting Assistant Deputy Undersecretary for
Health for Workforce Services, Veterans Health Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Kathleen Pachomski,
President of Local 3930, American Federation of Government
Employees.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Hearing--Improving the Department of Veterans Affairs'
Effectiveness: Responding to Recommendations from Oversight
Agencies
On May 22, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing to examine VA's progress in
addressing the major management challenges and priority
recommendations identified by the IG and GAO. The following
witnesses testified: The Honorable Gene Dodaro, Comptroller
General of the United States; and The Honorable Michael Missal,
Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearing--Examining VA's Police Force
On June 11, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing examining the policies,
operations, and management of the VA police force, specifically
outlined in the 2019 IG Report. The following witnesses
testified: The Honorable Michael Missal, Inspector General,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Renee Oshinksi, Acting
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and
Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Kevin T. Hanretta, Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Operations, Security, and Preparedness,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Frederick Jackson,
Director of the Office of Security and Law Enforcement, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearing--Learning from Whistleblowers at the Department of
Veterans Affairs
On June 25, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing to examine the challenges faced by
VA whistleblowers. This hearing focused on testimony provided
by VA Whistleblowers, and recommendations made by oversight
organizations. The hearing included three panels of witnesses.
The following witnesses testified on the first panel: Dr.
Katherine Mitchell, VA Whistleblower; Dr. Minu Aghevli, VA
Whistleblower; and Mr. Jeff Dettbarn, VA Whistleblower. The
following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Rebecca
Jones, Policy Counsel, Project On Government Oversight; Mr. Tom
Devine, Legal Director, Government Accountability Project; and
Ms. Jacqueline Garrick, Founder, Whistleblowers of America.
The June 25, 2019, hearing was recessed subject to the call
of the Chair and reconvened on July 23, 2019, to hear from the
third panel. The following witnesses testified on the third
panel: Dr. Tamara Bonzanto, Assistant Secretary for
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; The Honorable Michael Missal, Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; The Honorable
Henry Kerner, Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel; Mr.
Tristan Leavitt, General Counsel/Acting Chief Executive and
Administrative Officer, Merit Systems Protection Board; Mr. Tom
Devine, Legal Director, Government Accountability Project; and
Ms. Jacqueline Garrick, Founder, Whistleblowers of America.
Subcommittee Hearing--Preventing Harm to Veterans: Examining VA's
Overpayments and Debt Collection Practices
On September 19, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing focused on VA's debt collection
processes, particularly how overpayments occur and how VA
identifies them, notifies veterans, and pursues collection. The
hearing included two witness panels. The following witnesses
testified on the first panel: The Honorable Jon Rychalski,
Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer,
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Joseph Schmitt, Director of
the Debt Management Center, Veterans Benefits Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Charles Tapp, Chief
Financial Officer, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Susan Reed, Executive
Director of Revenue Operations, Office of Community Care,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the second panel:
Mr. Shane Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director for
Benefits, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Mike Saunders,
Director of Military and Consumer Policy, Veterans Education
Success; Mr. Carlos Fuentes, Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Mr. Gerardo Avila,
Deputy Director, Military Boards and Memorial Benefits, The
American Legion. A statement for the record was submitted by
the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste.
Subcommittee Hearing--Broken Promises: Assessing VA's Systems for
Protecting Veterans from Clinical Harm
On October 16, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing to examine the quality of care
delivered by clinicians VA employs or contracts with. The
following off-Committee members participated in the hearing:
Representative Scott Peters (California), Joe Cunningham (South
Carolina), Carol Miller (West Virginia), and Jennifer Wexton
(Virginia). The following witnesses testified: Ms. Sharon
Silas, Director, Health Care Team, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Dr. John Daigh, Assistant Inspector
General for Healthcare Inspections, Office of Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Steven
Lieberman, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Gerard Cox, Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Organizational Excellence, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Jessica Bonjorni,
Acting Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Workforce Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearing--Protecting Whistleblowers and Promoting
Accountability: Is VA Doing Its Job?
On October 29, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing to examine whether the VA
Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) is
fulfilling its statutory responsibilities. The following
witnesses testified: Dr. Tamara Bonzanto, Assistant Secretary
for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and The Honorable Michael
Missal, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
A statement for the record was submitted by Representative Andy
Biggs (Arizona).
Subcommittee Joint Hearing--The Status of the Department of Veterans
Affairs' Financial Management Business Transformation
On December 5, 2019, the Subcommittees on Oversight and
Investigations and Technology Modernization met in open session
to conduct a joint oversight hearing examining efforts by VA to
address longstanding financial management challenges and to
modernize legacy financial management information technology
(IT) systems. The following witnesses testified: The Honorable
Jon Rychalski, Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief
Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Terry Riffel, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Financial
Management Business Transformation, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Mr. Daniel McCune, Executive Director, Enterprise
Portfolio Management Office, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearing--Examining How the Department of Veterans Affairs
Supports Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
On February 5, 2020, the Subcommittee, in collaboration
with the Women Veterans Task Force, met in open session and
held a hearing to examine how VA supports survivors of Military
Sexual Trauma. The following witnesses testified: Dr. Julie
Kroviak, Deputy Assistance Inspector General for Healthcare
Inspections of the Office of the Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Tammy Barlet, Health Policy
Coordinator, The American Legion; Ms. Kayla Williams, Senior
Fellow and Director of the Military, Veterans, and Society
Program, Center for a New American Security; Ms. Samantha
Kubek, Staff Attorney, New York Legal Assistance Group; and Mr.
Willie Clark, Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Beth Murphy, Executive Director of Compensation
Service, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Margret Bell, National Deputy Director of
Military Sexual Trauma, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Joint Hearing--Mission Critical: Examining Provider
Relations During the Transitions to VA's New Community Care
Program
On February 12, 2020, the Subcommittees on Oversight and
Investigations and Health met in open session to conduct a
joint oversight hearing to examine provider relations during
the transition to VA's new community care program. The
following witnesses testified: Dr. Kameron Matthews, Deputy
Under Secretary for Health for Community Care, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. David
J. McIntyre, President and CEO, TriWest Healthcare Alliance;
Lieutenant General (Ret.) Patricia D. Horoho, Chief Executive
Officer, OptumServe, Inc.; Mr. William A. Dombi, President,
National Association of Home Care & Hospice; Mr. Erik L.
Golnick, Co-Founder and CEO, Veteran & First Responder
Healthcare; and Mr. Eric Frieman, Co-Founder, Veteran & First
Responder Healthcare.
Subcommittee Hearing--Safety for All: Ending Sexual Harassment in the
Department of Veterans Affairs
On July 22, 2020, the Subcommittee, in collaboration with
the Women Veterans Task Force held an oversight hearing
examining ending sexual harassment in VA. The hearing included
two panels of witnesses. The following witnesses testified on
the first panel: Ms. Pamela Powers, Acting Deputy Secretary,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Dan Sitterly,
Assistant Secretary of Human Resources and Administration/
Operations, Security, and Preparedness, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Patricia Hayes, Chief Consultant, Women's
Health Services Office of Patient Care Services, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Ms. Lelia Jackson, Senior Strategist, Office of the Chief of
Staff, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the
second panel: Ms. Cindy Brown Barnes, Director of the
Education, Workforce, and Income Security Team; Government
Accountability Office; and Joy Ilem, National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans.
Subcommittee Hearing--Modernizing VA's Medical Supply Chain: Lessons
Learned from the Pandemic
On September 16, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session
and held a hearing examining VA's medical supply chain and
lessons learned from the pandemic. The following witnesses
testified: Ms. Karen Brazell, Principal Executive Director,
Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction and Chief
Acquisition Officer and Acting Assistant Secretary for
Enterprise Integration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Mr. Andrew Centineo, Executive Director of the Office of
Procurement and Logistics, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Deborah Kramer, Acting
Assistant Under Secretary of Health and Support Services,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Shelby Oakley, Director of Contracting and
National Security Acquisitions, U.S. Government Accountability
Office; and Mr. Roger Waldron, President, Coalition for
Government Procurement.
SITE VISITS
Richmond, Virginia. On June 6, 2019, Subcommittee majority
staff visited the Richmond, Virginia VAMC to oversee MISSION
Act implementation. Very limited access was provided to the
facility.
Chicago, Illinois. On August 13-16, 2019, majority and
minority Subcommittee staff visited VA's National Acquisition
Center and the VA/DoD Joint Medical Center, the Lovell Center,
in Chicago, IL to gain a better understanding of a major VA
initiative to adapt practices and policies from DoD for
purchasing medical/surgical supply inventory.
Richmond, Virginia. On August 19, 2019, Subcommittee
majority staff visited the Richmond, Virginia Medical Center to
tour the medical center and conduct oversight into MISSION Act
implementation.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On August 27, 2019,
Subcommittee majority staff visited the Philadelphia, PA
medical center to conduct oversight into their implementation
of the MISSION Act.
St. Paul, Minnesota. On September 23, 2019, Ranking Member
Bergman and minority staff visited the Debt Management Center
and met with Joseph Smith, Director of the Debt Management
Center, and his team to better understand issues raised during
the September 19, 2019, Subcommittee hearing on veteran debts
and overpayments.
St. Paul, Minnesota. On January 22-23, 2020, majority and
minority Subcommittee staff visited the Debt Management Center
at the invitation of the Chief Financial Officer, The Honorable
Jon Rychalski, to conduct oversight and get a better
understanding of the Department's debt management process in
order to better draft legislation regarding veteran debts and
overpayments.
Baltimore, Maryland. On January 31, 2020, minority staff of
the O&I and Health Subcommittees conducted a site visit of the
Baltimore VA Medical Center. The purpose of the visit was to
better understand the operations of the VA Police Service, the
facility's experience with implementing the VA Accountability
and Whistleblower Protection Act, credentialing and privileging
of health care providers, and the community care network.
Perry Point, Maryland. On December 4, 2020, Subcommittee
majority staff visited the Program Support Center Supply Chain
Management Services to conduct oversight of the Department's
inventory management procedures, coordination with supply
centers, and plans for transitioning operations to Regional
Readiness Centers in 2021.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON
TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION
SUSIE LEE, Nevada, Chair
JIM BANKS, Indiana, Ranking Member
JULIA BROWNLEY, California CHIP ROY, Texas
CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania
JOE CUNNINGHAM, South Carolina
Sarah R. Garcia, Majority Staff Director
William Mallison, Minority Staff Director
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Hearing--``Mapping the Challenges and Progress of the
Office of Information and Technology''
On April 2, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing examining how the Office of
Information and Technology (OIT) at VA is supporting
acquisition, implementation, and management of information
technology systems throughout the Department. The hearing
assessed management challenges and program issues documented by
the Government Accountability Office and the Office of
Inspector General and recommendations made to address these
challenges and the status of implementing those
recommendations.
The following witnesses testified: Carol Harris, Director,
Information Technology Acquisition Management, Government
Accountability Office; Brent Arronte, Deputy Assistant
Inspector General, Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of
Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and,
Michael Bowman, Director, Information Technology and Security
Audits Divisions, Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of
Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The
Subcommittee invited The Honorable James P. Gfrerer, Assistant
Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief Information
Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or his designee,
however VA refused to send a witness.
Joint Subcommittee Hearing--``Examining Ongoing Forever GI Bill
Implementation Efforts''
On May 9, 2019, the Subcommittees on Technology
Modernization and Economic Opportunity met in open session to
examine VA's execution of the ``Harry W. Colmery Veterans
Educational Assistance Act of 2017'', Public Law 115-48, and
the ``Forever GI Bill Housing Payment Fulfillment Act of
2018'', Public Law 115-422. The hearing focused on the
Department's work to implement Sections 107 and 501 of Public
Law 115-48 and the agency's ability to complete necessary work
to both make students whole, in accordance with Sections 107
and 501 of Public Law 115-48's implementation date, including
the ability to process Spring Semester 2020 education claims
without delays that would impact student veterans or
institutions of higher learning.
The following witnesses testified: The Honorable Dr. Paul
R. Lawrence, Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Charmain Bogue, Acting Executive Director, Education Services,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; The Honorable James P. Gfrerer, Assistant Secretary
for Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer,
Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Robert Orifici, Information Technology
Specialist for Architecture, Strategy, and Design; The
Honorable Michael J. Missal, Inspector General for U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Jay Schnitzer, Vice
President and Chief Technology Officer, MITRE Corporation.
Joint Subcommittee Hearing--``MISSION Critical: Caring for Our Heroes''
On May 22, 2019, the Subcommittees on Technology
Modernization and Health met in open session to conduct a joint
oversight hearing examining the delayed implementation of the
Caregiver Program at VA and multiple failed efforts to develop
an eligibility tool and management system. The hearing assessed
lessons learned from past failures and examined the award of a
new contract to the vendor Acumen Solutions to develop a new
Caregiver program tool, called CARMA, based on the Salesforce
customer service management platform.
This hearing had two witness panels. The following
witnesses testified on the first panel: Dr. Steven Lieberman,
Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Elyse Kaplan, Deputy Director, Caregiver Support Program,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Alan Constantian, Deputy Chief Information Officer
for Account Management, Office of Information and Technology,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Carol Harris,
Director, Information Technology Acquisition Management,
Government Accountability Office. The following witnesses
testified on the second panel: Dr. Wendell Ocasio, Chief
Medical Officer, AbleVets; and Mr. Ken Beecher, Director,
Acumen Solutions.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Modernizing Health Records for Servicemembers
and Veterans: The Contractor Perspective''
On June 4, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing examining the implementation of
electronic health records at DoD and VA from the perspective of
the contractors engaged in the implementation. The purpose of
the hearing was to assess the progress of implementation,
challenges, and lessons learned with a prior implementation of
the same system at DoD facilities and to set expectations for
VA and its go-live event in spring 2020.
The following witnesses testified: Mr. Travis Dalton,
President, Cerner Government Services; Mr. David Waltman, Vice
President for Strategy and Technology, Cerner Government
Services; Ms. Julie Stoner, Director and Client Accountable
Executive, Cerner Government Services; Mr. Jon Scholl,
President, Leidos Health Group; Mr. Richard Crowe, Executive
Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Implementation of Electronic Health Record
Systems at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the
Department of Defense''
On June 12, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing assessing the progress of
implementation of electronic health records at both VA and DoD.
The hearing examined the joint governance, data management
plan, and path toward interoperability between the departments.
The hearing also assessed the impact of the new system on
servicemembers, veterans, clinicians, community providers, and
others. The hearing also reviewed progress on standing up the
successor agency to the Interagency Program Office (IPO).
The following witnesses testified: Mr. John Windom,
Executive Director, Office of Electronic Health Record
Modernization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Laura
Kroupa, Chief Medical Officer, Office of Electronic Health
Record Modernization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
John Short, Chief Technology and Integration Officer, Office of
Electronic Health Record Modernization, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. William J. Tinston, Program Executive
Officer, Defense Healthcare Management Systems, U.S. Department
of Defense; Maj. Gen. Lee E. Payne, M.D., Assistant Director
for Combat Support, Defense Health Agency, U.S. Department of
Defense; Dr. Lauren Thompson, Director, Interagency Program
Office.
Subcommittee Hearing--``VistA Transition: Assessing the Future of an
Electronic Health Records Pioneer''
On July 25, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing assessing how VA is planning for
the transition, sustainment, and possible eventual
decommissioning of the VistA over the next decade as VA
implements a commercial electronic health record system. The
hearing examined findings by GAO in its review of the cost and
transition planning for VistA. The hearing also examined how
VistA's ongoing use in clinical care and research settings,
relevant data, and patient experience will be impacted by the
transition to a commercial system. The hearing also assessed
the role of workflow standardization, interoperability, and
open architecture requirements in the transition.
The following witnesses testified: Ms. Carol Harris,
Director, Information Technology Acquisition Management,
Government Accountability Office; Dr. Paul Tibbits, Executive
Director, Office of Technical Integration, Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Charles Hume, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for
Health for the Office of Health Informatics, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Thomas
O'Toole, Senior Medical Advisor, Office of the Assistant Deputy
Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Operations, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Mr. John Short, Chief Technology and Integration Officer,
Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearing--``The Future of VA Scheduling: Implementing a
Commercial Off the Shelf Scheduling Solution at the Department
of Veterans Affairs''
On September 26, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing assessing how VA plans to
transition from the legacy VistA scheduling modules to the
Cerner Scheduling Software (CSS). The hearing examined the
history of the VistA Scheduling Enhancement (VSE) project, the
decision-making process involved in reducing the scope and
subsequently cancelling the Medical Appointment Scheduling
System (MASS) Pilot and the December 2018 decision to implement
the CSS. The hearing also examined VA's plan to decouple
appointment scheduling from the implementation of Cerner
Millennium and accelerate its implementation over five years,
and related cost and resource requirements. In addition, the
hearing examined the findings in the VA Office of Inspector
General (OIG) report of August 2019, examining the management
of VSE.
The following witnesses testified: Mr. John Windom,
Executive Director, Office of Electronic Health Record
Modernization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Dominic
Cussatt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Michael Davies, Senior Advisor to the Assistant
Deputy Under Secretary for Health Access, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Laura
Kroupa, Chief Medical Officer, Office of Electronic Health
Record Modernization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
John Short, Chief Technology and Integration Officer, Office of
Electronic Health Record Modernization, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Larry Reinkemeyer, Assistant
Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations, Office of
Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Cybersecurity Challenges and Cyber Risk
Management at the Department of Veterans Affairs''
On November 14, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing examining how VA manages its
cybersecurity program, including controlling access to
confidential data, supply-chain management, and the
safeguarding of its information technology assets. The hearing
examined ongoing challenges in cybersecurity and VA's response
to those challenges. The hearing also assessed VA's
implementation of outstanding recommendations from the IG and
GAO.
The following witnesses testified: Mr. Paul Cunningham,
Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Information Security
Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Gary Stevens,
Deputy Chief Information Security Officer and Executive
Director for Information Security Policy and Strategy, Office
of Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Andrew Centineo, Executive Director for
Procurement and Logistics, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Luwanda Jones, Deputy Chief
Information Officer for Strategic Sourcing, Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Nick Dahl, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for
Audits and Evaluations, Office of Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Michael Bowman, Director
for Information Technology and Security Audits Division, Office
of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Mr. Greg Wilshusen, Director, Information Technology and
Cybersecurity, Government Accountability Office.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Go-Live March 2020: The Status of EHRM
Readiness''
On November 20, 2019, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing examining the implementation of
electronic health records at VA. At the time of the hearing, VA
was less than six months from the planned go-live at the first
of three Initial Operating Capability (IOC) sites. The hearing
assessed VA's preparations to launch its $16 billion EHRM
program. The hearing reviewed progress on workflow
standardization, infrastructure preparedness, data migration,
the state of EHRM testing, end-user training, and decision-
making in the final months before implementation, among other
concerns.
The following off-committee members from the Washington
State Delegation participated in the hearing: Representative
Kim Schrier (Washington), Representative Derek Kilmer
(Washington), Representative Rick Larson (Washington),
Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Washington). The
following witnesses testified: The Honorable James Byrne,
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Steven L. Lieberman, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary
for Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. John Windom, Executive Director, Office
of Electronic Health Record Modernization, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Laura Kroupa, Chief Medical Officer,
Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. John Short, Chief
Technology and Integration Officer, Office of Electronic Health
Record Modernization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Michael Tadych, Director, VA Puget Sound Health Care System,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Dr. Robert J. Fischer, Director, Mann-Grandstaff
VA Medical Center, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Joint Subcommittee Hearing--``The Status of the Department of Veterans
Affairs' Financial Management Business Transformation''
On December 5, 2019, the Subcommittees on Technology
Modernization and Oversight and Investigations met in open
session to conduct a joint oversight hearing to examining
efforts by VA to address longstanding financial management
challenges and to modernize legacy financial management IT
systems. The IG has identified financial management as a major
challenge at VA. The hearing examined the root causes of these
challenges and VA's efforts to address them. The hearing also
reviewed past attempts to modernize legacy financial systems
and VA's decision in FY 2016 to charter a new program, the
Financial Management Business Transformation (FMBT). The
hearing examined progress in implementing FMBT and how the
scope, timeline, and cost of the program have changed over the
last year.
The following witnesses testified: the Honorable Jon
Rychalski, Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief
Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Terry Riffel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial
Management Business Transformation, U.S Department of Veterans
Affairs; and, Mr. Daniel McCune, Executive Director, Enterprise
Portfolio Management Office, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Subcommittee Roundtable--``Technology and Behavioral Health: Innovative
Approaches to Reduce Veteran Suicide.''
On January 28, 2020, the Subcommittee held a public
roundtable to discuss how VA leverages research, innovation,
emerging technology, and high-tech tools to provide care to
veterans in the areas of behavioral health and suicide risk
reduction. The Subcommittee sought information on how VA
identifies, promotes, and supports potential technologies that
can be scaled to provide new tools and treatments across VA and
in other healthcare settings. The roundtable was also an
opportunity to hear how VA leverages resources and partners
with external groups to develop and scale promising new
technologies. The Subcommittee invited participants from VHA
Innovation Ecosystem, the VHA Office of Research and
Development, and representatives from programs at VA medical
centers around the country who are working on innovative
treatments and technology to address mental health and reduce
suicide.
Attendees included: Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Deputy Under
Secretary for Health for Discovery, Education and Affiliate
Networks, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Ryan Vega, Executive Director, VHA
Innovation Ecosystem, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs ; Dr. Terri Gleason, PhD,
Director, Clinical Science Research and Development Service,
Office of Research and Development, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. James
Pittman, PhD, San Diego VAMC, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Pete Spanos, Loma
Linda VAMC, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Sara J. Landes, PhD, Central Arkansas
VAHCS, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. David Carroll, PhD, Executive Director,
Office of Mental Health & Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;, Ms. Suzy
Shirley, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center/VHA Innovation
Ecosystem, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Mark Bulson, VHA Innovation
Ecosystem, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Data Privacy and Portability at VA: Protecting
Veterans' Personal Data''
On February 12, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing assessing how VA manages
veteran data, including issues of safety, security,
confidentiality, interoperability, and availability. The
hearing examined ongoing challenges in how large organizations,
such as VA, manage data privacy, including emerging issues
related to technology, information security, monetization of
data, and VA's response to those challenges. The hearing was
also an opportunity to examine how other organizations,
including in the healthcare and technology sector, are
responding to the changing data landscape.
The hearing featured two panels. The following witnesses
testified on the first panel: Mr. Paul Cunningham, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Information Security, CISO, and Chief
Privacy Officer, Office of Information and Technology, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Martha Orr, Deputy CIO for
Quality, Performance and Risk, Office of Information and
Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms.
LaShaunne G. David, Director for Privacy Service, Office of
Information Security, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr.
Nick Culbertson, CEO and Co-Founder, Protenus; Ms. Tina Olson
Grande, Executive Vice President, Policy Healthcare Leadership
Council Chair, Confidentiality Coalition; Mr. Ramsey Sulayman,
Associate Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of
Foreign Wars; Mr. Harold F. Wolf, III, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Healthcare Information and Management
Systems Society (HIMSS).
Subcommittee Hearing--``Getting It Right: Challenges with the Go-live
of Electronic Health Record Modernization''
On March 5, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing examining VA's February 10, 2020,
announcement of a delay in the implementation of the new Cerner
electronic health record (EHR) system. The new system was
scheduled to go-live on March 28, 2020, in Spokane, WA, at the
Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center. Prior to that announcement
VA and Cerner had given little indication of the need for
delay. Given the announcement, the Subcommittee had numerous
questions about what led to the delay and what VA is doing to
respond. The hearing examined ongoing readiness concerns with
testing, training, and external functionalities such as the
veteran health portal and VA online applications. Additionally,
the hearing reviewed VA's efforts to engage and communicate
with Veteran Service Organizations, the veteran community, and
VA staff.
The following witnesses testified: The Honorable Dr.
Melissa Glynn, Assistant Secretary for Enterprise Integration,
Office of Enterprise Integration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Richard Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Robert J. Fischer, Director, Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. John Windom, Executive Director, Office of
Electronic Health Record Modernization, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. David Case, Deputy Inspector General,
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Mr. Travis Dalton, President, Cerner Government
Services.
Subcommittee Joint Hearing--``VA Telehealth During the COVID-19
Pandemic: Expansion and Impact''
On June 23, 2020, the Subcommittees on Technology
Modernization and Health met in open session (in-person and via
Cisco Webex) and held a joint hearing to conduct oversite
related to VA's use and expansion of telehealth during the
COVID-19 pandemic. This hearing featured two panels of
witnesses.
The following witnesses testified on the first panel: Dr.
Jennifer MacDonald, Chief Consultant to the Deputy
Undersecretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Jack Galvin, Acting Deputy
Assistant Secretary for IT Development Security Operations,
Office of Information Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. Neil Evans, Chief Officer, Office of Connected
Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Kevin Galpin, Executive Director,
Telehealth Services, Office of Connected Care, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel:
Chief William Smith, Chief of the Valdez Tribe of Alaska and
Vice Chairperson, National Indian Health Board; Ms. Lindsay
Church, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Minority Veterans of
America; Mr. Marquis Barefield, Assistant National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; and Ms. Tammy Barlet,
Associate Director, National Legislative Services, Veterans of
Foreign Wars.
Joint Subcommittee Hearing--``Examining Ongoing Forever GI Bill
Implementation Efforts''
On September 16, 2020, the Subcommittees on Technology
Modernization and Economic Opportunity met in open session (in-
person and via Cisco Webex) to examine the IT needs of the VA
Education Services business line, the current technology debt,
the cost of maintaining legacy systems, and the risks
associated with the implementation of future GI Bill
improvements with current infrastructure. This hearing featured
two panels of witnesses.
The following witnesses testified on the first panel: The
Honorable Dr. Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., Under Secretary,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; The Honorable James P. Gfrerer, Assistant Secretary
for Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer,
Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Charmain Bogue, Executive Director,
Education Services, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Robert Orifici, Director of
Education & Veteran Readiness and Employment Product Line,
Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Carol Harris, Director, Information
Technology Acquisition Management Issues, U.S. Government
Accountability Office.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Dr.
Jay Schnitzer, Vice President, Senior Physician and Chief
Technology Officer, MITRE Corporation; and Mr. Patrick Murray,
Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign
Wars.
Subcommittee Hearing--``Examining VA's Ongoing Efforts in the
Electronic Health Record Modernization Program
On September 30, 2020, the Subcommittee met in open session
(in-person and via Cisco Webex) to conduct an oversight hearing
examining VA's ongoing efforts to launch its $16 billion EHRM
program with specific emphasis on the issues and challenges
posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing examined VA's
revised deployment schedule; ongoing readiness concerns with
testing and training; expectations about patient safety, and
external functionalities such as the veteran health portal and
CSS. Additionally, the hearing reviewed VA's efforts to engage
and communicate with Veteran Service Organizations, the veteran
community, and VA staff.
The following witnesses testified: Mr. John Windom,
Executive Director, Office of Electronic Health Record
Modernization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Laura
Kroupa, Chief Medical Officer, Office of Electronic Health
Record Modernization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
John Short, Chief Technology and Integration Officer, Office of
Electronic Health Record Modernization, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Robert Fischer, Director, Mann-Grandstaff
VA Medical Center, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. William Tinston, Director,
Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization Program Office;
and Mr. Travis Dalton, President, Cerner Government Services.
SITE VISITS
Kansas City, Missouri. On April 8-12, 2019 and July 8-12,
2019, majority and minority Subcommittee staff traveled to
Kansas City, MO, to observe the proceedings of clinical
workshops hosted by VA and Cerner Corporation. These workshops
are a key part of the implementation of electronic health
records at VA. Clinical Councils established by VA are
responsible for holding at least eight workshops over an 18-
month period. These workshops are meant to establish clinical
workflows (e.g., how specific healthcare tasks are carried out)
which will be translated into system configuration by Cerner
and its subcontractors. The workshops allowed staff to observe
clinical and technical sessions and to engage with VA and
Cerner staff on numerous aspects of the implementation.
Seattle and Spokane, Washington. On August 5-9, 2019,
majority and minority Subcommittee staff from the House and
Senate Veterans Affairs Committees traveled to Seattle and
Spokane, WA to observe the Local Area Workshop for VA Puget
Sound Healthcare System. The local area workshop gave staff an
opportunity to observe the translation of decisions made at the
National Workshop to the local site-level, and the validation
of those decisions. While in Washington State, staff visited
the Seattle VA Medical Center, American Lake VA Medical Center
in Tacoma, Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, and
the 92nd Medical Group at Fairchild Air Force Base.
Kansas City, Missouri. On August 19-21, 2019, majority
Subcommittee staff traveled to Kansas City, MO, to attend EHRM
National Workshop 7 to observe the technical workshops hosted
by VA and Cerner Corporation. Staff toured Cerner Corporation's
on-site data center and met with technical personnel in senior
roles in the EHRM Project.
Kansas City, Missouri. On September 30-October 3, 2020,
minority Subcommittee staff traveled to Kansas City, MO, to
attend EHRM National Workshop 8 to observe the technical
workshops hosted by VA and Cerner Corporation. Staff toured
Cerner Corporation's on-site data center and met with technical
personnel in senior roles in the EHRM Project.
Spokane, Washington. On February 26-28, 2020, majority and
minority Subcommittee staff traveled to Spokane, Washington, to
conduct oversight subsequent to VA's February 10, 2020
announcement that the planned March 28, 2020 go-live of the new
Cerner Millennium electronic health record would be delayed.
Staff met with leadership from Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical
Center and from the Cerner implementation team to discuss
issues with the implementation and the plan for deployment
going forward. Subcommittee staff also met with VA employees
who had held user acceptance testing and super user training to
gain a better understanding of the issues discovered during
these crucial steps in the implementation.
Rosslyn, Virginia. On October 25-26, 2020 majority and
minority Subcommittee staff traveled to the EHRM Go-Live
Command Center in Rosslyn, VA, to observe EHRM go-live at the
Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center.
Martinsburg, West Virginia. On December 12, 2020, majority
and minority Subcommittee staff traveled to the VA
Cybersecurity Operations Center in Martinsburg, WV, to tour the
facility and receive briefings from program staff regarding
information security issues.
ACTIVITIES OF THE WOMEN VETERANS TASK FORCE
JULIA BROWNLEY, California, Chair
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP ON THE TASK FORCE
KATHLEEN M. RICE, New York GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida
CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania, Vice- AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,
Chairman (American Samoa)
MIKE LEVIN, California MIKE BOST, Illinois
ANTHONY BRINDISI, New York NEAL P. DUNN, Florida
MAX ROSE, New York JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire ANDY BARR, Kentucky
ELAINE G. LURIA, Virginia DANIEL MEUSER, Pennsylvania
SUSIE LEE, Nevada DAVID P. ROE, M.D., Tennessee (ex-
JOE CUNNINGHAM, South Carolina officio)
GILBERT R. CISNEROS, Jr.,
California
GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN,
(Northern Mariana Islands)
COLIN Z. ALLRED, Texas
LAUREN UNDERWOOD, Illinois
MARK TAKANO, California (ex-
officio)
Andrea N. Goldstein, Senior Policy Advisor
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
The Women Veterans Task Force coordinated all legislative
activities through the subcommittees of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Task Force Roundtable--``Challenges in Advocacy for Women Veterans''
On June 26, 2019, the Women Veterans Task Force held a
roundtable to consider and resolve representational challenges
in the nation's most powerful VSOs. The following witnesses
attended: Dr. Linda Schwartz. Special Advisor to the President,
Vietnam Veterans of America; Ms. Terri Williams, 1st Junior
Vice Commander, Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 10; Ms.
Denise Perry, Maryland State Commander, Veterans of Foreign
Wars; Ms. Denise Rohan, Past National Commander, The American
Legion; Ms. Melissa Bryant, Former Chief Policy Officer, Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Ms. Jennifer Silva, Chief
Program Officer, Wounded Warrior Project.
Task Force Roundtable--``VSO Roundtable: Legislative and Oversight
Priorities for Women Veterans''
On July 25, 2019, the Women Veterans Task Force held a
roundtable to receive input from Veteran Service Organizations
regarding the Task Force's oversight and legislative agenda.
The following witnesses attended: Ms. Tammy Barlet, Health
Policy Coordinator, The American Legion; Ms. Emma Moore,
Research Assistant, Military Veterans and Society Program,
Center for a New American Security; Ms. Joy Ilem, National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Travis
Horr, Associate Legislative Director, Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America; CDR (Ret) Rene Campos, Senior Director,
Government Relations, Veterans-Wounded Warrior Care, Military
Officers Association of America; Ms. Adelaide Khan, Programs
and Services Manager, Protect our Defenders, representing the
Military Women's Coalition; Ms. Heather Ansley, Associate
Executive Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans
of America; Ms. Susan Lukas, Director of Legislative and
Military Policy, Reserve Officers Association; Mr. Ken
Greenberg, Director of Veterans and Military Policy; The
Retired Enlisted Association; CAPT (Ret), Lory Manning,
Director of Government Operations, Servicewomen's Action
Network; Ms. Kristina Keenan, Past Post Commander, Veterans of
Foreign Wars; Dr. Linda Schwartz, Special Advisor to the
President, Vietnam Veterans of America; Ms. Ginger Miller,
Chief Executive Officer, Women Veterans Interactive; Ms.
Jennifer Silva, Chief Program Officer, Wounded Warrior Project.
Task Force Roundtable--``Breaking the Silence: Addressing Military
Sexual Trauma in the Military and Veteran Communities''
On September 25, 2019, the Women Veterans Task Force
conducted a roundtable discussion with representatives from
Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Benefits
Administration (VBA), Department of Defense (DoD), veteran
service organizations (VSO), community-based organizations, and
researchers to discuss sexual violence in the military,
particularly Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The following
witnesses attended: Mr. Willie C. Clark, Sr, Deputy Under
Secretary for Field Operations, Veterans Benefits
Administration; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Beth
Murphy, Director, Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Laurine Carson, Deputy Executive Director, Policy & Procedures,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Dr. David Carroll, Executive Director, Office of
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Susan
McCutcheon, National Mental Health Director, Family Svc/Women's
Mental Health Director /MST, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Rear Admiral Ann M.
Burkhardt, US Navy, Director, Sexual Assault Prevention and
Response Office, Department of Defense; Ms. Joy Ilem, National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Meggan K.
Thomas, MPH, Veterans Casework Consultant-Health, National
Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Lindsay Church,
M.A, Chief Executive Officer, Minority Veterans of America;
Captain (Ret.) Lory Manning, Director of Government Relations,
Service Women's Action Network; Colonel (Ret) Don Christensen,
Chief Executive Officer, Protect Our Defenders; Ms. Kayla
Williams, M.A., Senior Fellow and Director, Military Veterans
and Society Program, Center for a New American Security; Ms.
Pam Campos-Palma, M.A., U.S. Air Force Veteran, Community
Organizer and Advocate; Ms. Chandini Jha, Yale Law School
Veterans Legal Clinic, Yale University.
Task Force Roundtable--``Trends and Opportunities in Interdisciplinary
Research Regarding Women Veterans''
On October 17, 2019, the Women Veterans Task Force
conducted a roundtable discussion regarding interdisciplinary
research regarding women veterans. The following witnesses
attended: Dr. Elizabeth (Becky) Yano, PhD, MSPH, Director, VA
HSR&D, VA Greater Los Angeles, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Donna Washington,
M.D., MPH, Lead, Women's Health Focused Research, VA HSR&D, VA
Greater Los Angeles, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Tammy Barlet, Health Policy
Coordinator, The American Legion; Ms. Lindsay Church, M.A.,
Chief Executive Officer, Minority Veterans of America; Ms. Lyla
Kohistany, President, PROMOTE; Dr. Kyleanne ``Ky'' Hunter, PhD,
Executive Director, Brady Campaign, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran;
Ms. Caitlin ``Cat'' Clason, MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC, Researcher,
University of Pennsylvania, U.S. Army Veteran.
Task Force Roundtable--``Resilience and Coping: Mental Health of Women
Veterans''
On May 12, 2020, The Women Veterans Task Force conducted a
roundtable discussion examining mental health and wellness in
women veterans. The following witnesses attended: Dr Patty
Hayes, Chief Consultant, Office of Women's Health, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Elizabeth Yano, Director, VA HSR&D Center for the Study of
Healthcare Innovation, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Susan McCutcheon, National
Mental Health Director, Family Services, Women's Mental Health,
and Military Sexual Trauma, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. LeeAnn E. Bruce,
National Intimate Partner Violence Program Manager, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Tammy Barlet, Associate Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mrs. Maureen Elias, Associate
Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Ms.
Stephanie Gattas, Chair, Wellness Policy Committee, Military
Women's Coalition; Ms. Kaitlynn Hetrick, Associate, Government
Affairs, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Ms. Joy
Ilem, National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Ms. Jennifer Silva, Chief Policy Officer, Wounded
Warrior Project; Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas, Author, Researcher,
Faculty, George Mason University Department of Global and
Community Health. A written statement was provided by Minority
Veterans of America.
Task Force Roundtable--``2020 Report of the VA Advisory Committee on
Women Veterans.''
On December 9, 2020, the Women Veterans Task Force
conducted a roundtable discussion on the 2020 Report of the VA
Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. The following witnesses
attended: Command Master Chief Octavia Harris, U.S. Navy,
Retired, Chair, VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans;
Colonel Betty Yarbrough, US Army, Retired, Incoming Chair, VA
Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Lieutenant Colonel
Shannon McLaughlin, Massachusetts National Guard, Vice Chair,
Benefits Subcommittee, VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans;
Dr. Lisa Kirk, Lieutenant Colonel, Maryland Air National Guard,
Retired Vice Chair, Health Subcommittee, VA Advisory Committee
on Women Veterans; Ms. Lindsay Church, Executive Director,
Minority Veterans of America; Mrs. Maureen Elias, Associate
Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; and Ms.
Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans.
SITE VISITS
Washington, D.C. On March 25, 2019, Chairwoman Brownley,
the Senior Policy Advisor for the Women Veterans Task Force,
and majority Health Subcommittee staff visited the Washington,
D.C. VA Medical Center, which included a tour of the women's
health clinic.
Phoenix VA Medical Center. On April 20, 2019, Women
Veterans Task Force and majority Health Subcommittee Staff
traveled to conduct oversight of the Phoenix, Arizona Veterans
Affairs Medical Center, focusing on the facility's outreach to
the veterans at risk of suicide, as well as, the unique
services the facility offers to women veterans.
Oxnard, California. On April 22, 2019, Women Veterans Task
Force and Health majority Subcommittee Staff traveled to
Southern California to conduct oversight at the following VA
Centers: VA Oxnard Community Based Outpatient Center, Sepulveda
VA Ambulatory Medical Center, West Los Angeles VA Medical
Center, in order to visit the women's health centers, suicide
prevention efforts, and see preparations for the implementation
of the MISSION Act.
Chicago, Illinois. On July 18, 2019, the Women Veterans
Task Force conducted site visits in Chicago, IL, to the James
Lovell Federal Healthcare Center in North Chicago, IL, and the
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, IL. These visits
focused on women veterans' healthcare, military sexual trauma,
MISSION Act implementation, and homelessness.
Anchorage, Alaska. On July 29-Aug 2, 2019, Women Veterans
Task Force and majority Subcommittee Staff conducted an
oversight trip to Anchorage and Fairbanks VAMCs, and held
meetings with active-duty servicewomen on Joint Base Elmendorf-
Richardson, meetings with Alaska state leadership and women
veterans community leaders to learn of women veterans' health
resources at VA and community-based resources supporting women
veterans.
Long Beach, California. On August 7, 2019, Chairwoman
Brownley and the Senior Policy Advisor for the Women Veterans
Task Force conducted a site visit to the Long Beach VA Medical
Center to observe best practices, gaps, and opportunities for
serving women veterans.
Omaha, Nebraska. On August 19-20, 2019, the Senior Policy
Advisor for the Women Veterans Task Force participated in the
National Association of State Women Veterans Coordinators
Conference in Omaha, NE, to strengthen relationships, and
improve outreach efforts nationwide and gain feedback on work
of the Task Force and how federal and state efforts can be
mutually supportive.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On October 22, 2019, the Senior
Policy Advisor for the Women Veterans Task Force conducted a
site visit to the Philadelphia VA Medical Center to observe
best practices, gaps, and opportunities for serving women
veterans. They also met with the director for Veterans Services
for the City of Philadelphia.
Boston, Massachusetts. On November 1, 2019, Chairwoman
Brownley and the Senior Policy Advisor for the Women Veterans
Task Force staff conducted a site visit to the Boston VA
Medical Center at Jamaica Plain to observe best practices,
gaps, and opportunities for serving women veterans.
New York, New York. On November 4, 2019, the Senior Policy
Advisor for the Women Veterans Task Force conducted a site
visit to the Manhattan Harbor VA Medical Center to observe best
practices, gaps, and opportunities for serving women veterans.
Wappingers Falls, New York. On November 5, 2019, the Senior
Policy Advisor for the Women Veterans Task Force conducted a
site visit to the Hudson Valley VA Medical Center at Castle
Point to observe best practices, gaps, and opportunities for
serving women veterans.
Albany, New York. On November 6, 2019, the Senior Policy
Advisor for the Women Veterans Task Force conducted a site
visit to the Albany-Stratton VA Medical Center to observe best
practices, gaps, and opportunities for serving women veterans.
She also met with VISN 2 leadership to discuss the above
issues, as well as telehealth expansion.
Buffalo, New York, VA Regional Office and Buffalo VA
Medical Center. On November 21, 2019, the Women Veterans Task
Force and majority and minority Economic Opportunity
Subcommittee staff visited the Buffalo, NY VA Regional Office
to conduct oversight on the implementation of section 107 and
501 of the Forever GI Bill, along with program updates of VET-
TEC and the Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering
Math (STEM) Scholarship. The Women Veterans Task Force and
minority Economic Opportunity Subcommittee staff conducted a
site visit of the Buffalo VA Medical Center to tour the women's
health clinic, the inpatient psychiatry ward, and the child
care pilot site.
San Diego, California. On February 19-22, 2020, the Senior
Policy Advisor for the Women Veterans Task Force supported
Chair Brownley in a visit to Naval Medical Center San Diego,
Naval Base San Diego, Naval Amphibious Base San Diego, and the
WOVEN Program to identify resources to best serve servicewomen
transitioning out of the military.
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