Authorizing Directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks to Enter Into Contracts to Investigate Medical Centers

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of this legislation by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Mullin). Ensuring VA delivers safe and high-quality health care to veterans is an important priority for this committee. This bill will allow Veterans Integrated Service Network directors to contract with civilian accreditation and healthcare evaluation organizations to inspect and investigate VA medical centers. This gives VA another tool to evaluate and improve the quality of care provided at its facilities.

VA medical centers are routinely inspected and accredited by recognized organizations in the healthcare world, such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. This bill would allow other organizations to inspect and accredit VA hospitals at VA's discretion.

Since the VA inspector general and Government Accountability Office also routinely conduct investigations, inspections, and audits of VA medical facilities, I would like to emphasize that this bill requires both GAO and the IG to be notified when a VISN chooses to contract with civilian inspection and accreditation organizations.

Coordination of efforts with GAO and the IG will avoid duplication and prevent the waste of taxpayer dollars. I also want to emphasize that this authority should not be used to replace the role of the IG and GAO in conducting investigations, inspections, and evaluations of VA medical facilities. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.

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