IAVA | September 14, 2016
Read: IAVA Applauds Introduction of New House Legislation on VA Accountability
IAVA applauds the introduction of the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act (H.R. 5620). This legislation, introduced by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL), will work to fix the broken state of the VA health care system. IAVA has urged the House of Representatives to pass the bill. The full text of our support letter can be seen below:
August 26th, 2016
The Honorable Jeff Miller
Chairman
U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs
336 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Miller,
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and our 425,000 members are pleased to offer our strong support for H.R. 5620, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act.
It has been over two years since the scandal in Phoenix alerted the country to the egregious state of the VA health care system. And yet little has been done to ensure the VA is equipped with the necessary authorities to address workforce accountability. The large majority of VA employees serve veterans with distinction, but there are employees whose poor performance or, at worst, gross negligence put veterans at risk. They need to immediately be removed from the VA to restore trust within the VA system. IAVA believes this legislation provides the VA leadership those necessary authorities while still providing due process. While accountability at the VA is past due, the changes to due process and the appointments clause ensure such accountability is done responsibly.
Additionally, this legislation provides many improvements to the disability compensation appeals process desperately needed at the VA to better manage the appeals backlog. Reducing burdensome red tape will better serve veterans and their families and will improve efficiency within the VA.
Veterans have made great sacrifices in service to our nation, and IAVA believes they deserve a VA that can provide the level of care they have earned. If we can be of help, please contact Tom Porter, IAVA’s Legislative Director, at (202) 5447692 , or by email at thomas@iava.org.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Schleifer
Interim Chief Policy Officer
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
