Reps. Tulsi Gabbard, Frank Guinta Introduce Legislation to Prevent VA Bonuses Without Performance

Press Release

U.S. Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and Frank Guinta (NH-01) introduced the Veterans Administration Bonus Elimination Act to help ensure timely delivery of care to U.S. military veterans. The bill denies bonuses to senior Veterans Administration (VA) executives, who fail to ensure that veterans receive care within 30 days, as required under VA guidelines.

"It is unconscionable that senior VA officials are rewarded with bonuses, while hundreds of thousands of veterans across the country are still facing major delays in receiving the care that they need and have earned," said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. "Even after the VA scandal in 2014, veteran wait times have increased. In October 2015, the VA said there were nearly 500,000 veterans who were waiting over 30 days to receive care. The fact that the systemic problems within the VA that created this situation continue to persist is deeply troublesome. Those who are responsible for ensuring our nation's veterans get the care and services they need should be held accountable, not rewarded for their malpractice. This bill is a step forward in repairing our veterans' trust."

"Bonuses should be rewards for quality work, completed on time, but revelations of secret waiting lists and subpar care tell a different story about some VA facilities," said Rep. Frank Guinta. "Even after a nationwide scandal and legislation to fix the problem, securing an appointment remains difficult. The bureaucracy only reluctantly embraces reform. Our bill puts pressure on the VA to meet reasonable goals that Congress instituted by law. We should show the same commitment to U.S. military veterans that they have shown our country."

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