[House Report 115-1120]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Union Calendar No. 887
115th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Report 115-1120
REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES
of the
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
of the
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
during the
ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
pursuant to
Clause 1(d) Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
January 2, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
33-947 WASHINGTON : 2018
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL
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House of Representatives,
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC, January 2, 2019.
Hon. Karen L. Haas,
Clerk of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Ms. Haas: In accordance with clause (d)1 of rule XI of
the Rules of the House of Representatives for the 115th
Congress, I submit herewith the report of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs setting forth its activities in reviewing and
studying the application, administration, and execution of
those laws, the subject matter of which is within the
jurisdiction of our committee.
Sincerely,
David P. Roe, M.D.,
Chairman.
C O N T E N T S
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Page
Activities of the Full Committee................................. 1
Activities of the Subcommittee on Health......................... 27
Activities of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity........... 39
Activities of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations... 54
Activities of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs............................................... 65
Activities of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization....... 79
Union Calendar No. 887
115th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 115-1120
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REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS OF THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DURING THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
_______
January 2, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Roe of Tennessee, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, pursuant
to Clause 1(d) Rule XI, submitted the following
R E P O R T
ACTIVITIES OF THE FULL COMMITTEE
First Session
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Business Meeting--Formal Organization of the 115th Congress
On January 21, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a meeting to formally organize for the 115th Congress. In
this meeting the Committee adopted a resolution for the
Committee rules for the 115th Congress, a resolution to approve
the ratios of the Subcommittees, a resolution to approve the
Vice-Chairman and Majority Subcommittee Chairmen, a resolution
to approve the Ranking Members of the Subcommittees, a
resolution to approve the Majority Membership of the
Subcommittees, a resolution to approve the Minority Membership
of the Subcommittees, a resolution to approve the Committee
staff, and a resolution to adopt the Committee Oversight Agenda
for the 115th Congress.
The major oversight agenda items included: effectiveness of
transition assistance program (TAP), accountability and civil
service reform, education training and GI benefits, appeals
modernization, national cemeteries, care in the community,
capitol asset review, mental health and suicide prevention,
whistleblowers, and electronic health records.\1\ A summary of
the actions taken related to the oversight plan are detailed in
this report.
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\1\The Committee's 115th Oversight Plan is printed in House Report
115-69.
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Business Meeting--Resolution To Assign Congressman Kilili Sablan,
Congresswoman Esty, and Congressman Scott Peters to HVAC
Subcommittees
On February 15, 2018, the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs met to formally approve Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty,
Congressman Kilili Sablan, and Congressman Scott Peters be
assigned to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The
Committee also formally assigned Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty
to be the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Legislative Hearing--Joint Hearing With the Senate Committee on
Veterans' Affairs--HVAC/SVAC Joint Hearing To Receive the
Legislative Presentation of the Disabled American Veterans
On February 28, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a joint hearing with the Senate Committee on Veterans'
Affairs to receive the legislative presentation of the Disabled
American Veterans. Testimony was provided by David W. Riley,
National Commander, on behalf of Jim Marszalek, National
Service Director; Joy J. Ilem, National Legislative Director;
Garry J. Augustine Executive Director, Washington Headquarters;
J. Marc Burgess, National Adjutant; Barry A. Jesinoski,
Executive Director, National Headquarters; John Kleindienst,
National Director of Voluntary Service; Jeffrey C. Hall,
National Director of Employment; and Frances Costa, DAV
Auxiliary National Commander. This hearing was hosted by the
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and therefore does not
have a House Serial Number.
Legislative Hearing--Joint Hearing With the Senate Committee on
Veterans' Affairs--Joint Hearing To Receive the Legislative
Presentation of the American Legion
On March 1, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
joint hearing with the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs to
receive the legislative presentation of The American Legion.
Testimony was provided by Charles Schmidt, National Commander;
James Oxford, Chairman, National Legislative Commission; Ralph
Bozella, Chairman, National Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation
Commission; Matthew Shuman, Director, National Legislative
Division; Louis Celli, Jr., Director, National Veterans Affairs
and Rehabilitation Division; Paul Dillard, Chairman, Veterans
Employment & Education Commission; Joseph Sharpe, Jr.,
Director, Veterans Employment & Education Division. This
hearing was hosted by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
and therefore does not have a House Serial Number.
Markup--H.R. 369, H.R. 1181, H.R. 1259, H.R. 1367, AND H.R. 1379.
On March 8, 2017, the Full Committee met and marked up H.R.
369, as amended, to eliminate the sunset of the Veterans Choice
Program, and for other purposes, introduced by Chairman David
P. Roe of Tennessee; H.R. 1181, Veterans 2nd Amendment
Protection Act, introduced by Chairman David P. Roe of
Tennessee; H.R. 1259, as amended, VA Accountability First Act
of 2017, introduced by Chairman David P. Roe of Tennessee; H.R.
1367, to improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to hire and retain physicians and other employees of
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes,
introduced by Representative Brad Wenstrup of Ohio; and H.R.
1379, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the
entitlement to educational assistance under the Post-9/11
Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans
Affairs for members of the Armed Forces awarded the Purple
Heart, introduced by Representative Scott Peters of California.
On March 8, 2017, an amendment to H.R. 369 was offered by
Ranking Member Tim Walz of Minnesota, and was agreed to by
voice vote. H.R. 369, as amended, passed the Full Committee by
voice vote and was favorably reported to the Full House by
voice vote.
On March 8, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1181 was offered by Representative Elizabeth
Esty of Connecticut, and was not adopted by Full Committee
voice vote. H.R. 1181 passed the Full Committee by voice vote
and was favorably reported to the Full House by voice vote.
On March 8, 2017, an amendment to H.R. 1259 was offered by
Ranking member Tim Walz of Minnesota, and was not adopted by
Full Committee voice vote. An amendment in the nature of
substitute to H.R. 1259 was offered by Representative Ann
McLane Kuster of New Hampshire, and was not adopted by Full
Committee voice vote. An amendment in the nature of substitute
to H.R. 1259 was introduced by Representative Mark Takano of
California, and was not adopted by Full Committee voice vote.
H.R. 1259 passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was
favorably reported to the Full House by voice vote.
On March 8, 2017, H.R. 1367 passed the Full Committee by
voice vote and was favorably reported to the Full House by
voice vote.
On March 8, 2017, an amendment in the nature of substitute
to H.R. 1379 was introduced by Representative Scott Peters of
California, and was agreed to by voice vote. H.R. 1379, as
amended, passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was
favorably reported to the Full House by voice vote.
Legislative Hearing--Joint Hearing with the Senate Committee on
Veterans' Affairs--HVAC/SVAC Hearing to Receive the Legislative
Presentations From Multiple Veterans Service Organizations
(PVA, AUSN, AMVETS, VVA, NCOA, GSW, NASDVA, WWP, NGAUS)
On March 9, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
joint hearing with the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs to
receive the legislative presentations from multiple veteran
service organizations (PVA, AUSN, AMVETS, VVA, NCOA, GSW,
NASDVA, WWP, NGAUS). This hearing was hosted by the Senate
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and therefore does not have a
House Serial Number. Testimony was provided by: Mr. Al Kovach,
Jr., National President, Paralyzed Veterans of America; RADM
Garry E. Hall, USN (Ret.), National Executive Director,
Association of the United States Navy; Mr. Harold Chapman,
National Commander, AMVETS (American Veterans); Mr. John Rowan,
National President, Vietnam Veterans of America; MCPOCG Vincent
Patton, III, (Ret.), President and National Commander, Non
Commissioned Officer Association; Ms. Misty Brammer, Gold Star
Wives of America; Mr. Randy Reeves, President, National
Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs; Lt. Gen.
Michael S. Linnington (Ret.), Chief Executive Officer, Wounded
Warrior Project; MG Gus Hargett, USA (Ret.), President,
National Guard Association of the United States. This hearing
was hosted by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and
therefore does not have a House Serial Number.
Legislative Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentations
From JWV, FRA, AFSA, MOPH, American Ex-POW, BVA, TREA, MOAA and
IAVA
On March 22, 2017 the Full Committee held a joint hearing
with the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs to receive
testimony from multiple veterans' organizations (JWV, FRA,
AFSA, MOPH, American Ex-POW, BVA, TREA, MOAA, and IAVA) on
their 2017 legislative priorities.
Testimony was provided by Col. Carl A. Singer, USA Retired,
National Commander, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of
America; Donald Larson, National President, Fleet Reserve
Association; Mark Stevenson, Chief Operating Officer, Air Force
Sergeants Association; Hershel Gober, National Commander,
Military Order of the Purple Heart; Charles, Susino, Jr.,
National Commander, American Ex-Prisoners of War Organization;
Mr. Dale Stamper, National President, Blinded Veterans
Association; John I. Adams, National President, The Retired
Enlisted Association; Aniela Szymanski, Government Relations
Director for Veterans Benefits, Military Officers Association
of America; and Allison Jaslow, Chief of Staff, Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America. This hearing was hosted by the
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and therefore does not
have a House Serial Number.
Legislative Hearing--On a Draft Bill Entitled ``Veterans Appeals
Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017''
On Tuesday, May 2, 2017, the Full Committee held a
legislative hearing on a draft bill entitled ``Veterans Appeals
Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017''.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by The Honorable
Dina Titus, U.S. House of Representatives.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. David C.
Spickler, Executive in Charge/Acting Vice Chairman, Board of
Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Spickler was accompanied by Mr. David R. McLenachen, Director,
Appeals Management Office, Veterans Benefits Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, testimony
was provided by Mr. Louis J. Celli, Director, National Veterans
Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr.
Jim Marszalek, National Service Director, Disabled American
Veterans; and, Mr. Ryan M. Gallucci, Director, National
Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States.
A Statement for the Record was provided by Military
Officers Association of America, National Association of State
Directors of Veterans Affairs, National Organization of
Veterans' Advocates, National Veterans Legal Services Program,
Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military-Veterans Advocacy Inc.,
and Vietnam Veterans of America. See ``Legislative Hearing on
the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of
2017'' Serial No. 115-12
Markup--H.R. 91, H.R. 467, H.R. 1005, H.R. 1162, H.R. 1329 as Amended,
ANS to H.R. 1461, H.R. 1545, and H.R. 1662, H.R. 1725 as
Amended, and H.R. 2288
On May 17, 2017, the Full Committee met and marked up H.R.
91, the Building Supportive Networks for Women Veterans Act,
introduced by Representative Julia Brownley of California; H.R.
467, the VA Scheduling Accountability Act, introduced by
Representative Jackie Walorski of Indiana; H.R. 1005, to
improve the provision of adult day health care service for
veterans, introduced by Representative Lee Zeldin of New York;
H.R. 1162, No Hero Left Untreated Act, introduced by
Representative Stephen Knight of California; H.R. 1329,
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017,
introduced by Representative Mike Bost of Illinois; amendment
in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1461, VET Protection Act
of 2017, introduced by Representative Mark Takano of
California; H.R. 1545, the VA Prescription Data Accountability
Act of 2017, introduced by Representative Ann McLane Kuster of
New Hampshire; H.R. 1662, to prohibit smoking in any VHA
facility, introduced by Representative Brad Wenstrup of Ohio;
H.R. 1725, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
submit certain reports relating to medical evidence submitted
in support of claims for benefits under the laws administered
by the Secretary, introduced by Representative Timothy Walz of
Minnesota; H.R. 2288, Veterans Appeals Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2017, introduced by Representative Mike
Bost of Illinois.
On May 17, 2017, H.R. 91; H.R. 467; H.R. 1005; H.R. 1162;
H.R. 1329, as amended; H.R. 1461, as amended; H.R. 1545; H.R.
1662; H.R. 1725, as amended; and H.R. 2288 passed the Full
Committee by voice vote and were favorably forwarded to the
Full House by voice vote.
Roundtable Discussion--Improving Access, Quality, and Efficiency:
Exploring Organizational Changes for the Veterans Health
Administration
On June 15, 2017, the Full Committee hosted a roundtable
discussion entitled, ``Improving Access, Quality, and
Efficiency: Exploring Organizational Changes for the Veterans
Health Administration.''
Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on H.R. 3218, the Harry W.
Colmery Veteran Educational Assistance Act of 2017
On July 17, 2017, the Full Committee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing on H.R. 3218, the Harry W.
Colmery Veteran Educational Assistance Act of 2017.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by:
Representative Kevin McCarthy of California; Representative
Mark Takano of California; Representative Gus Bilirakis of
Florida, Representative Scott Peters of California;
Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado, Representative Brad
Wenstrup of Ohio; Representative John Rutherford of Florida;
Representative Jim Banks of Indiana; Representative Luke Messer
of Indiana; Representative Paul Cook of California.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Mr. Curtis
L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary, Economic Opportunity, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
who was accompanied by Mr. James Ruhlman, Assistant Director
for Policy and Procedures, Education Service, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Patrick D. Murray, Associate Director,
National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States; Mr. William Hubbard, Vice President of
Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America; Mr. John
Kamin, Assistant Director, Veteran Employment and Education,
The American Legion; and Ms. Ashlynne Haycock, Senior
Coordinator, Education Support Services, Tragedy Assistance
Program for Survivors. See, ``Legislative hearing on H.R. 3218,
the Harry W. Colmery Veteran Educational Assistance Act of
2017,'' Serial No. 115-25
Roundtable Discussion--The Opioid Crisis: A Roundtable Discussion on
Impacts, Challenges, and Solutions for Veterans
On July 18, 2017, the Full Committee hosted a roundtable
discussion entitled, ``The Opioid Crisis: A Roundtable
Discussion on Impacts, Challenges, and Solutions for
Veterans.''
Markup--H.R. 95, H.R. 282, ANS to H.R. 918, H.R. 918, ANS to H.R. 1058,
H.R. 1058, H.R. 1690 as Amended, H.R. 2006, H.R. 2749, H.R.
2772, H.R. 2781, ANS to H.R. 3218, and H.R. 3262.
On July 19, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
markup of the following legislation: H.R. 95, the Veterans
Access to Child Care Act, introduced by Representative Julia
Brownley of California; H.R. 282, Military Residency Choice
Act, introduced by Representative Elise Stefanik of New York;
H.R. 918, the Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act,
introduced by Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado; H.R.
1058, the VA Provider Equity, introduced by Representative Brad
Wenstrup of Ohio; H.R. 1690, as amended, Department of Veterans
Affairs Bonus Transparency Act, introduced by Representative
Claudia Tenney of New York; H.R. 2006, VA Procurement
Efficiency and Transparency Act, introduced by Representative
Mike Coffman of Colorado; H.R. 2749, Protecting Business
Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2017, introduced by
Representative Jack Bergman of Michigan; H.R. 2772, SEA Act of
2018, introduced by Representative Scott Taylor of Virginia;
H.R. 2781, Ensuring Veteran Enterprise Participation in
Strategic Sourcing Act, introduced by Representative Neal Dunn
of Florida; H.R. 3218, Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational
Assistance Act of 2017, introduced by Representative Jodey
Arrington of Texas; and H.R. 3262, as amended, the Grow Our Own
Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of
2017, introduced by Representative Ann McLane Kuster.
On July 19, 2017, An amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 95 was offered by Representative Julia
Brownley of California and was agreed to by voice vote. H.R.
95, as amended, passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was
favorably forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
On July 19, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 918 was offered Representative Mike Coffman
of Colorado. An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 918 was offered by Representative Beto
O'Rourke of Texas and was agreed to by voice vote. An amendment
to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 918 was
offered by Representative Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto
Rico and was agreed to by voice vote. The amendment in the
nature of a substitute, as amended, was agreed to by voice
vote. H.R. 918, as amended, passed the Full Committee by voice
vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by voice
vote.
On July 19, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1058 was offered by Representative Brad
Wenstrup of Ohio. An amendment to the amendment in the nature
of a substitute to H.R. 1058 was offered by Representative Brad
Wenstrup of Ohio and was agreed to by voice vote. The amendment
in the nature of a substitute, as amended, was adopted by voice
vote. H.R. 1058, as amended, passed the Full Committee by voice
vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by voice
vote.
On July 19, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3218 was offered by Representative Phil Roe
of Tennessee. An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3218 was offered by Representative Jodey
Arrington of Texas and was agreed to by voice vote. An
amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 3218 was offered by Representative Kathleen Rice of New
York and was agreed to by voice vote. H.R. 3218, as amended,
was forwarded favorably to the Full House by voice vote.
Roundtable--Veteran Care in Rural Areas: Increasing Access Through
Choice and Capacity Improvement
On August 10, 2017, the Full Committee conducted a
roundtable discussion in Duluth, Minnesota, entitled, ``Veteran
Care in Rural Areas: Increasing Access through Choice and
Capacity Improvement.''
Roundtable Discussion--VA Capital Asset Review
On September 7, 2017, the Full Committee hosted a
roundtable discussion entitled, ``Roundtable Discussion on VA
Capital Asset Review.''
Roundtable Discussion--Roundtable Discussion on Care in the Community
On October 3, 2017, The Full Committee hosted a roundtable
discussion entitled, ``Roundtable Discussion on Care in the
Community.''
Legislative Hearing--Draft Legislation, the Asset and Infrastructure
Review Act of 2017, and H.R. 2773, To Authorize the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs To Sell Pershing Hall
On October 12, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met
in open session to conduct a legislative hearing on draft
legislation, the Asset and Infrastructure Review--or, AIR--Act
of 2017, and H.R. 2773, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to sell Pershing Hall.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by
Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Joy J.
Ilem, National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Louis J. Celli Jr., Director, Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Carl Blake,
Associate Executive Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; Carlos Fuentes, Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States; Dave Wise, Director, Physical Infrastructure Team, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; and Regan L. Crump MSN, DrPH,
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy and
Planning, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, who was accompanied by James M. Sullivan,
Director, Office of Asset Enterprise Management, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``Draft legislation, the
Asset and Infrastructure Review Act of 2017, and H.R. 2773, to
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to sell Pershing
Hall,'' Serial No. 115-XX.\2\
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\2\Hearing serial numbers marked ``XX'' indicate GPO has not
published the final hearing documents.
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Markup--H.R. 1066, H.R. 3122, H.R. 3561, H.R. 3562, H.R. 3656, H.R.
3657
On October 12, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a markup on the following legislation: H.R. 1066, to
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of
Representatives a report regarding the organizational structure
of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes,
introduced by Representative Derek Kilmer of Washington; H.R.
3122, to protect individuals who are eligible for increased
pension under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs on the basis of need of regular aid and attendance from
dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices, and for
other purpose, introduced by Representative Matt Cartwright of
Pennsylvania; H.R. 3561, to amend title 38, United States Code,
to permit appraisers approved by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to make appraisals for purposes of chapter 37 of such
title based on inspections performed by third parties,
introduced by Representative Jodey Arrington of Texas; H.R.
3562, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for
adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation
programs under chapter 31 of such title, and for other
purposes, introduced by Representative Jodey Arrington of
Texas; H.R. 3656, to amend title 38, United States Code, to
provide for a consistent eligibility date for provision of
Department of Veterans Affairs memorial headstones and markers
for eligible spouses and dependent children of veterans whose
remains are unavailable, introduced by Representative Jim Banks
of Indiana; H.R. 3657, to amend title 38, United States Code,
to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide
headstones and markers for the graves of spouses and children
of veterans who are buried in tribal cemeteries, introduced by
Representative Bruce Poliquin of Maine.
On October 12, 2017, H.R. 1066 was agreed to via voice vote
and was reported to the Full House favorably.
On October 12, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3122 was offered by Representative Elizabeth
Esty and was agreed to via voice vote. H.R. 3122, as amended,
was passed via voice vote and reported to the Full House
favorably.
On October 12, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3561 was offered by Representative Jodey
Arrington from Texas and was agreed to via voice vote. H.R.
3561, as amended, was passed via voice vote and reported to the
Full House favorably.
On October 12, 2017, H.R. 3562 was agreed to via voice vote
and was reported to the Full House favorably.
On October 12, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3656 was offered by Representative Jim Banks
of Indiana and was agreed to via voice vote. H.R. 3656, as
amended, was passed via voice vote and was reported to the Full
House favorably.
On October 12, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3657 was offered by Representative Bruce
Poliquin of Maine and was agreed to via voice vote. H.R. 3657,
as amended, was passed via voice vote and was reported to the
Full House favorably.
Roundtable--International Falls, Minnesota
On October 20, 2017, Ranking Member Tim Walz,
Representative Rick Nolan and Minority staff conducted a
Roundtable with veterans in International Falls, MN to discuss
issues unique to veterans living in a rural area of the
northern Midwest. The roundtable was an opportunity for
veterans to share their views on (1) a lack of health care
providers in rural communities, (2) a division between local
VSO staff and national leaders, (3) a desire to gain access to
veteran-centric healthcare in their communities.
Legislative Hearing--Draft Legislation To Establish a Permanent
[Veterans Choice Program]; Draft Legislation To Modify VA's
Authority To Enter Into Agreements With State Homes To Provide
Nursing Home Care to Veterans, To Direct the Secretary To Carry
Out a Program To Increase the Number of Graduate Medical
Education Residency Positions, and for Other Purposes; the
Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) Legislative Proposal,
the Veteran Coordinated Access and Rewarding Experiences (CARE)
Act; H.R. 1133; H.R. 2123; H.R. 2601; and, H.R. 3642.
On October 24, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met
in open session to conduct a legislative hearing on: draft
legislation to establish a permanent [Veterans Choice Program];
draft legislation to modify VA's authority to enter into
agreements with State homes to provide nursing home care to
veterans, to direct the Secretary to carry out a program to
increase the number of graduate medical education residency
positions, and for other purposes; the Department of Veterans
Affairs' (VA's) legislative proposal, the Veteran Coordinated
Access and Rewarding Experiences (CARE) Act; H.R. 1133; H.R.
2123; H.R. 2601; and H.R. 3642.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by:
Representative Jim Banks of Indiana; Representative Mike
Gallagher of Wisconsin; Representative John R. Carter of Texas;
Representative Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania; Representative
Neal P. Dunn of Florida; and Representative Andy Barr of
Kentucky.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable David J. Shulkin, M.D., Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, who was accompanied by Carolyn Clancy M.D.,
Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, and Laurie Zephyrin M.D., MPH,
MBA, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Community
Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by: Adrian M.
Atizado, Deputy National Legislative, Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Roscoe G. Butler, Deputy Director for Health
Care, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The
American Legion; and Kayda Keleher, Associate Director,
National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States. See, ``draft legislation to establish a
permanent [Veterans Choice Program]; draft legislation to
modify VA's authority to enter into agreements with State homes
to provide nursing home care to veterans, to direct the
Secretary to carry out a program to increase the number of
graduate medical education residency positions, and for other
purposes; the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's)
legislative proposal, the Veteran Coordinated Access and
Rewarding Experiences (CARE) Act; H.R. 1133; H.R. 2123; H.R.
2601; and, H.R. 3642.,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Markup--H.R. 299, Amendment to the ANS to H.R. 299, H.R. 1133, ANS to
H.R. 1133, H.R. 1900, ANS to H.R. 1900, H.R. 2123, H.R. 2601,
ANS to H.R. 2601, H.R. 3634, H.R. 3705, ANS to H.R. 3705, H.R.
3949, H.R. 4173, ANS to H.R. 4173
On November 2, 2017, the Full Committee met and marked up
the following legislation: H.R. 299, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to clarify presumptions relating to the exposure
of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic
of Vietnam, and for other purposes, introduced by
Representative David Valadao of California; H.R. 1133, the
Veterans Transplant Coverage Act of 2017, introduced by
Representative John Carter of Texas; H.R. 1900, to designate
the Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, as the
National Veterans Memorial and Museum, and for other purposes,
offered by Representative Steve Stivers of Ohio; H.R. 2123, the
Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support Act of 2017,
introduced by Representative Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania;
H.R. 2601, the Veterans Increased Choice for Transplanted
Organs and Recovery Act of 2017, introduced by Representative
Neal Dunn of Florida; H.R. 3634, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to ensure that individuals may access
documentation verifying the monthly housing stipend paid to the
individual under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program
of the Department of Veterans Affairs, introduced by
Representative James Himes of Connecticut; H.R. 3705, to direct
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to require the use of
certified mail and plain language in certain debt collection
activities, introduced by Representative Chellie Pingree of
Maine; H.R. 3949, as amended, To amend title 38, United States
Code, to provide for the designation of State approving
agencies for multi-State apprenticeship programs for purposes
of the educational assistance programs of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, introduced by Representative Ro Khanna of
California; H.R. 4173, the Veterans Crisis Line Study Act of
2017, introduced by Representative Jim Banks of Indiana; and an
amendment to H.R. 4173 offered by Jim Banks of Indiana.
On November 2, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 299 was offered by Representative Phil Roe
of Tennessee. An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 299 was offered by Representative Timothy
Walz of Minnesota and agreed to via voice vote. H.R. 299, as
amended, was passed by the Full Committee by voice vote and was
favorably forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
On November 2, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1133 was offered by Representative Brad
Wenstrup of Ohio and agreed to by voice vote. H.R. 1133, as
amended, passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was
favorably forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
On November 2, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1133 offered by Representative Brad Wenstrup
of Ohio was agreed to via voice vote. H.R. 1133, as amended,
passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
On November 2, 2017, amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1900 offered by Representative Phil Roe of
Tennessee. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1900 offered by Representative Timothy Walz
of Minnesota was agreed to via voice vote. H.R. 1900, as
amended, passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was
favorably forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
On November 2, 2017, H.R. 2123 passed the Full Committee by
voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by
voice vote.
On November 2, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 2601 was offered by Representative Neal Dunn
of Florida and agreed to by voice vote. H.R. 2601, as amended,
passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
On November 2, 2017, H.R. 3634 passed the Full Committee by
voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by
voice vote.
On November 2, 2017, H.R. 3705 passed the Full Committee by
voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by
voice vote. Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
3705 offered by Representative Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut
was passed via voice vote.
On November 2, 2017, H.R. 3949, as amended, passed the Full
Committee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full
House by voice vote.
On November 2, 2017, an amendment to H.R. 4173 was offered
by Representative Jim Banks and was adopted by voice vote. H.R.
4173, as amended, passed the Full House by voice vote and was
favorably forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
Markup--H.R. 4243, the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Act
On November 8, 2017, the Committee on Veterans Affairs met
in open session to markup H.R. 4243, the VA Asset and
Infrastructure Review (AIR) Act, introduced by Chairman David
Roe of Tennessee.
On November 8, 2017, an amendment to H.R. 4243, was offered
by Representative Kilili Sablan of the Northern Mariana Islands
and was agreed to by voice vote.
On November 8, 2017, an amendment to H.R. 4243 was offered
and then withdrawn by Representative Ann Kuster from New
Hampshire.
On November 8, 2017, an amendment to H.R. 4243 was offered
and then withdrawn by Representative Julia Brownley of
California.
On November 8, 2017, H.R. 4243, as amended, passed the Full
Committee by a recorded vote of 13 yeas and 10 nays. H.R. 4243,
as amended, and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by
voice vote.
Markup--H.R. 4242, the VA Care in the Community Act
On December 19, 2017, the Committee on Veterans Affairs met
in open session to markup H.R. 4242, the VA Care in the
Community Act, introduced by Chairman David Roe of Tennessee.
On December 19, 2017, the following amendments to H.R. 4242
were considered en bloc and passed by voice vote: an amendment
offered by Representative John Rutherford of Florida; an
amendment offered by Representative Neal Dunn of Florida; an
amendment offered by Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado;
an amendment offered by Representative Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon
of Puerto Rico; an amendment offered by Representative Julia
Brownley of California; and an amendment offered by
Representative Gus Bilirakis of Florida.
On December 19, 2017, an amendment was offered and then
withdrawn by Representative Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut.
On December 19, 2017, an amendment was offered and then
withdrawn by Representative Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut.
On December 19, 2017, an amendment was offered by
Representative David P. Roe of Tennessee, the Chairman of the
full Committee, was agreed to by voice vote.
On December 19, 2017, an amendment was offered and then
withdrawn by Representative David P. Roe of Tennessee, the
Chairman of the full Committee.
On December 19, 2017, an amendment was offered by
Representative David P. Roe of Tennessee, the Chairman of the
full Committee, was agreed to by voice vote.
On December 19, 2017, amendment was offered by
Representative Mark Takano of California and was not agreed to
by voice vote.
On December 19, 2017, amendment was offered by
Representative Mark Takano of California and was not agreed to
by a recorded vote of 9 yeas to 14 noes.
On December 19, 2017, an amendment was offered by
Representative Mark Takano of California was not agreed to by
voice vote.
On December 19, 2017, an amendment offered by
Representative Ann Kuster of New Hampshire was agreed to by
voice vote.
On December 19, 2017, an amendment was offered by
Representative Julia Brownley of California and was not agreed
to by a recorded vote of 9 yeas to 14 noes.
On December 19, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Representative Tim Walz of Minnesota,
the Ranking Member of full Committee. The amendment in the
nature of a substitute was not agreed to by a recorded vote of
9 yeas to 14 noes.
On December 19, 2017, H.R. 4242, as amended, passed the
Full Committee by a recorded vote of 14 yeas and 9 nays. H.R.
4242, as amended, and was favorably forwarded to the Full House
by recorded vote of 14 yeas and 9 noes.
Second Session
Legislative Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation of
the Disabled American Veterans
On February 27, 2018, the Full Committee held a joint
hearing with the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs to
receive testimony from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) on
the organization's 2018 legislative priorities.
Testimony was provided by the following members of DAV: Jim
Marszalek, National Service Director; Joy J. Ilem, National
Legislative Director; Garry J. Augustine, Executive Director,
Washington Headquarters; J. Marc Burgess, National Adjutant;
Barry A. Jesinoski, Executive Director, National Headquarters;
John Kleindienst, National Director of Voluntary Service;
Jeffrey C. Hall, National Director of Employment; and William
Johniken, DAV Auxiliary National Commander. This hearing was
hosted by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and
therefore does not have a House Serial Number. This hearing was
hosted by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and
therefore does not have a House Serial Number.
Legislative Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation of
the American Legion
On February 28, 2018, the Full Committee participated in a
joint hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to
receive testimony from The American Legion on its 2018
Legislative Priorities.
Testimony was provided by: Denise H. Rohan, National
Commander, who was accompanied by: Paul Dillard, Chairman,
National Legislative Commission; Ralph Bozella, Chairman,
National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission;
Matthew Shuman, Director, National Legislative Division; Louis
Celli, Jr., Director, National Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division; Randall Fisher, Chairman, Veterans
Employment & Education Commission; and Joseph Sharpe, Director,
Veterans Employment & Education Division. This hearing was
hosted by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and
therefore does not have a House Serial Number.
Legislative Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees to Receive the Legislative Presentations
From PVA, AMVETS, VVA, AXPOW, IAVA, AUSN, WWP, NGAUS, and NCOA
On March 6, 2018, the Full Committee held a joint hearing
with the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs to receive
testimony from Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), American
Veterans (AMVETS), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), American
Ex-Prisoners of War (AXPOW), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America (IAVA), Association of the United States Navy (AUSN),
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), National Guard Association of
the United States (NGAUS), and Non Commissioned Officers
Association (NCOA) on the their 2018 legislative priorities.
Testimony was provided by David Zurfluh, National
President, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Marion Polk, National
Commander, American Veterans; John Rowan, National President,
Vietnam Veterans of America; Charles Susino, Jr., National
Commander, American Ex-Prisoners of War; Melissa Bryant, Chief
Policy Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; RADM
Christopher W. Cole, USN (Ret.), National Executive Director,
Association of the United States Navy; Rene Bardorf, Senior
Vice President, Government and Community Relations, Wounded
Warrior Project; BG Roy Robinson (Ret.), President, National
Guard Association of the United States; and MCPOCG Vincent
Patton, III, (Ret.), President and National Commander, Non
Commissioned Officers Association. This hearing was hosted by
the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and therefore does
not have a House Serial Number.
Roundtable Discussion on the Family Caregiver Program
On March 6, 2018, the Full Committee held a roundtable
discussion entitled, ``Roundtable Discussion on the Family
Caregiver Program.''
Legislative Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees to receive the Legislative Presentation of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
On March 7, 2018, the Full Committee held a joint hearing
with the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs to receive
testimony from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States. On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by
the following members of VFW: Ryan Gallucci, National Veterans
Service Director; Keith Harman, National Commander in Chief;
Richard Morrison, National Legislative Committee Chairman; Bob
Wallace, Washington Office Executive Director. This hearing was
hosted by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and
therefore does not have a House Serial Number.
Legislative Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees to Receive the Legislative Presentation of
Multiple Veterans Service Organizations (FRA, JWV, AFSA, BVA,
MOPH, NASDVA, MOAA, TREA, GSW)
On March 14, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held
a joint hearing with the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
to receive testimony from: FRA, JWV, AFSA, BVA, MOPH, NASDVA,
MOAA, TREA, GSW. On the first and only panel, testimony was
provided by: John Adams, National President, The Retired
Enlisted Association; Verdie Bowen, President, National
Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs; Rene
Campos, Senior Director for Government Relations, Military
Officers Association of America; Cyndie Gibson, Gold Star Wives
of America; Jeff Ledoux, International President, Air Force
Sergeants Association; Paul L. Mimms, Vice President, Blinded
Veterans Association; William Starkey, National President,
Fleet Reserve Association; Neil Van Ess, National Commander,
Military Order of the Purple Heart; and Paul D. Warner, PhD.,
National Commander, Jewish War Veterans. This hearing was
hosted by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and
therefore does not have a House Serial Number.
Roundtable Discussion--VA's Implementation of Appeals Reform
On March, 28, 2018, the Full Committee held a bipartisan
roundtable discussion on the topic of VA's implementation of
appeals reform, hosted by Chairman Phil Roe and Ranking Member
Tim Walz. Attendance included Members of the Majority and
Minority of the Committee, The Honorable Thomas G. Bowman,
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; The
Honorable Cheryl L. Mason, Chairman, Board of Veterans'
Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. David R.
McLenachen, Director, Appeals Management Office, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Mr. David J. Barrans, Chief Counsel, Benefits Law Group, Office
of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Marcy Jacobs, Executive Director, Digital Services, Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Elizabeth H. Curda, Director, Education,
Workforce, and Income Security Team, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Mr. James T. Whitcomb, Senior Analyst,
Education, Workforce, and Income Security Team, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Mr. Louis J. Celli, Director, National
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American
Legion; Mr. Denny Boller, National Service Director, AMVETS;
Mr. Jim Marszalek, National Service Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Mr. Mike McLaughlin, Legislative Liaison, National
Association of County Veterans Service Officers; Ms. Diane Boyd
Rauber, Executive Director, National Organization of Veterans'
Advocates; Mr. Barton F. Stichman, Executive Director, National
Veterans Legal Services Program; Mr. Steven Henry, Associate
Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Ms. Lauren
Barefoot, National Veterans Service Manager of Training and
Quality Assurance, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and, Ms. Kelsey
Yoon, Director, Veterans Benefits Program, Vietnam Veterans of
America. Serial No. 115-XX.
Business Meeting--To Assign New Committee Member
On May 8, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
business meeting to assign Representative Conor Lamb of
Pennsylvania as a Democratic Member of the Committee and to the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for the 115th
Congress.
Markup--H.R. 299; H.R. 1972; H.R. 2147; H.R. 3642; H.R. 3832; H.R.
4245; H.R. 4334; H.R. 4451, as amended; H.R. 4635; H.R. 4830,
as amended; H.R. 4958; H.R. 5044; H.R. 5215; H.R. 5418; H.R.
5520; and H.R. 5674
On May 8, 2018 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
markup of the following legislation: H.R. 299, Blue Water Navy
Vietnam Veterans Act of 2017; H.R. 1972, VA Billing
Accountability Act; H.R. 2147, Veterans Treatment Court
Improvement Act of 2018; H.R. 3642, Military SAVE Act; H.R.
3832, Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act; H.R. 4245,
Veterans' Electronic Health Record Modernization Oversight Act
of 2017; H.R. 4334, Improving Oversight of Women Veterans' Care
Act of 2018; H.R. 4451 AS AMENDED, Homeless Veterans'
Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2018; H.R. 4635,
to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the
number of peer-to-peer counselors providing counseling for
women veterans, and for other purposes.; H.R. 4830 AS AMENDED,
SIT-REP Act; H.R. 4958, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living
Adjustment Act of 2018; H.R. 5044, Service-Disabled Veterans
Small Business Continuation Act; H.R. 5215, Veterans Affairs
Purchase Card Misuse Mitigation Act; H.R. 5418; H.R. 5520,
Veterans Affairs Medical-Surgical Purchasing Stabilization Act;
and H.R. 5674, VA MISSION Act of 2018.
On May 8, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 1972 was offered by Representative John Rutherford of
Florida and was agreed to by voice vote. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 1972, as amended, to the Full House was offered by
Ranking Member Tim Walz of Minnesota and agreed to by voice
vote.
On May 8, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 2147 was offered by Representative Mike Coffman of
Colorado and was agreed to by voice vote. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 2147, as amended, to the House was offered by
Ranking Member Tim Walz of Minnesota and agreed to by voice
vote.
On May 8, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 3642 was offered by Representative Bruce Poliquin of
Maine and was agreed to by voice vote. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 3642, as amended, to the House was offered by
Ranking Member Tim Walz of Minnesota and agreed to by voice
vote.
On May 8, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 3832 was offered by Representative Neal Dunn of Florida
and was agreed to by voice vote. A motion to favorably forward
H.R. 3832, as amended, to the House was offered by Ranking
Member Tim Walz of Minnesota and agreed to by voice vote.
On May 8, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 4635 was offered by Representative Mike Coffman of
Colorado and was agreed to by voice vote. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 4635, as amended, to the House was offered by
Ranking Member Tim Walz of Minnesota and agreed to by voice
vote.
On May 8, 2018, an amendment to H.R. 5520 was offered by
Representative Brad Wenstrup of Ohio and was agreed to by voice
vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R. 5520, as amended, to
the House was offered by Ranking Member Tim Walz of Minnesota
and agreed to by voice vote.
On May 8, 2018, amendment #1 to H.R. 5674 was offered by
Representative Tim Walz of Minnesota and was not agreed to by a
recorded vote of 8 ayes to 13 noes. Amendment #2 to H.R. 5674
was withdrawn by Ranking Member Tim Walz of Minnesota.
Amendment #3 to H.R. 5674 was offered by Representative Tim
Walz of Minnesota and was not agreed to by recorded vote of 8
ayes to 13 noes. An amendment to H.R. 5674 was offered by
Representative Beto O'Rourke of Texas and was not agreed to by
voice vote. Three amendments to H.R. 5674 were offered by
Representative Julia Brownley of California and were withdrawn
by Representative Julia Brownley of California. An amendment in
the nature of a substitute to H.R. 5674 was offered by
Representative Tim Walz of Minnesota and was not agreed to by a
recorded vote of 8 ayes to 14 noes. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 5674 to the House was offered by Representative
Bilirakis of Florida and agreed to by roll call vote of 20 ayes
and 2 noes.
On May 8, 2018, H.R. 4245; H.R. 4334; H.R. 4451, as
amended; H.R. 4830 as amended; H.R. 4958; H.R. 5044; H.R. 5215;
H.R. 5418 were considered en bloc. A motion to favorably
forward the en bloc bills to the House was offered by Ranking
Member Tim Walz of Minnesota and agreed to by voice vote.
Legislative Hearing--Member Day: Testimony and Proposals on the
Department of Veterans Affairs
On May 16, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
hearing allowing non-Committee members of the U.S. House of
Representatives to testify on Department of Veterans' Affairs
related issues in front of the Committee. On the first panel
testimony was provided by Representative Brian Mast of Florida;
Representative David Rouzer of North Carolina; Representative
French Hill of Arkansas; Representative Markwayne Mullin of
Oklahoma; and Representative Thomas Suozzi of New York. On the
second panel, testimony was provided by Representative Jackie
Walorski of Indiana; Representative Bruce Westerman of
Arkansas; Representative Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin
Islands; Representative Earl ``Buddy'' Carter of Georgia; and
Representative Peter DeFazio of Oregon. On the third panel,
testimony was provided by Representative James Renacci of Ohio;
Representative Stephanie Murphy of Florida; and Representative
Daniel Kildee of Michigan. On the fourth panel, testimony was
provided by Representative Steve Stivers of Ohio;
Representative Paul Ruiz of California; Representative Denny
Heck of Washington; and Representative Bradley Schneider of
Illinois. On the fifth panel, testimony was received by Mike
Johnson of Louisiana; Representative Ron DeSantis of Florida;
Representative Vicky Hartzler of Missouri; Representative Dina
Titus of Nevada; Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona; and
Representative Gergorio Kilili Camacho Sablen of the Northern
Mariana Islands. On the sixth panel, testimony was provided by
Representative Ruben Kihuen of Nevada; Representative Tom
O'Halleran of Arizona; Representative Juan Vargas of
California; and Representative Bill Flores of Texas. On the
seventh panel, testimony was provided by Representative Dana
Rohrabacher of California; Representative Peter Welch of
Vermont; and Representative Seth Moulton of Massachusetts. On
the eighth panel, testimony was provided by Representative Lee
Zeldin of New York; Representative Dave Brat of Virginia;
Representative Ted Lieu of California; Representative Jacky
Rosen of Nevada; and Representative Greg Gianforte of Montana.
On the ninth and final panel, testimony was provided by
Representative Cathy McMorris Rogers of Washington;
Representative Madeline Bordallo of Guam; and Representative
Eddie Johnson of Texas. See, ``Legislative Hearing: Member Day:
Testimony and Proposals on the Department of Veterans
Affairs,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Business Meeting--To Consider a Resolution Designating Republican
Members of Subcommittees
On May 22, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
Full Committee business meeting to add Representative Brian
Mast of Florida as a Republican member of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs as well as a member of the Subcommittees on
Health and Economic Opportunity. The Committee also assigned
Representative Neal Dunn of Florida to be Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Health.
Roundtable--Roundtable Discussion on Graduate Medical Education
On June 13, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
roundtable to discuss to the VA Graduate Medical Education
program, particularly regarding improving the (1) quality and
oversight of graduate medical education training experiences
within VA; (2) collaboration between VA and external partners,
such as the academic affiliates and other federal entities; and
(3) clinical access in rural and underserved areas; and (4)
utilization and progress regarding the 1,500 GME slots
authorized by the Choice Act, as well as prospective uses for
the increased authorities contained within the VA MISSION Act.
The attendees at the roundtable were Karen Sanders, MD,
Deputy Chief, Office of Academic Affiliations, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Kathleen Klink, MD, Acting Chief Officer,
Office of Academic Affiliations, Department of Veterans
Affairs; Monica Lypson, MD, Director Medical and Dental
Education, Office of Academic Affiliations, Department of
Veterans Affairs; Christopher Pelic, MD, Clinical Director of
Graduate and Dental Education, Office of Academic Affiliations,
Department of Veterans Affairs; Jane Carreiro, DO, Vice
President for Health Affairs and Dean University of New England
on behalf of the American Association of Colleges of
Osteopathic Medicine; Janis Orlowski, MD, MACP, Chief Health
Care Officer on behalf of the Association of American Medical
Colleges; Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD, President and CEO of the
Wright Centers for Graduate Medical Education and Medical Group
on behalf of the American Association of Teaching Health
Centers; Rowen Zetterman, MD, MACP, MACG, Chair of the Board of
the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education;
Richard Thomas, MD, President, Uniformed Services University of
the Health Sciences on behalf of the Department of Defense;
Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP, Deputy Director, Cecil Sheps Center for
Health Services Research, University of North Carolina;
Veronica Mallett, MD, MMM, Senior Vice President for Health
Affairs, Dean School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College;
Jerry Kooiman, MPA, Assistant Dean for External Relations,
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; and
Jonathan Espenschied, MD, Washington State University.
Business Meeting--To Assign Representative Bill Flores of Texas to
Subcommittees; Amend the Committee Rules to Establish a
Subcommittee on Technology Modernization; Set the Membership
Ratio of the Subcommittee; Assign a Chair and Ranking Member of
the Subcommittee; Assign Majority and Minority Members of the
Subcommittee; and for Other Purposes
On July 12, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
business meeting to assign Bill Flores of Texas to the
Subcommittees on Health and Economic Opportunity. The Committee
Amended Rule 5 of Committee Rules. The Committee also
established the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, the
Subcommittee's ratio, as well as majority and minority members
of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization. All proposed
resolutions were adopted by the Full Committee via voice vote.
Markup--H.R. 2409; H.R. 2787, as Amended; H.R. 5538; H.R. 5649; H.R.
5693; H.R. 5864; H.R. 5882; H.R. 5938, as Amended; H.R. 5974,
as Amended; H.R. 6066, as Amended
On July 12, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
markup of the following legislation: H.R. 2409, to allow
servicemembers to terminate their cable, satellite television,
and Internet access service contracts while deployed; H.R.
2787, as amended, Veterans-Specific Education for Tomorrow's
Health Professionals Act; H.R. 5538, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to provide for the inclusion of certain additional
periods of active duty service for purposes of suspending
charges to veterans' entitlement to educational assistance
under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs during periods of suspended participation in vocational
rehabilitation programs; H.R. 5649, Navy SEAL Chief Petty
Officer William ``Bill'' Mulder (Ret.) Transition Improvement
Act of 2018; H.R. 5693, as amended, Long-Term Care Veterans
Choice Act; H.R. 5864, VA Hospitals Establishing Leadership
Performance Act; H.R. 5882, Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief
Act; H.R. 5938, as amended, Veterans Serving Veterans Act of
2018; H.R. 5974, as amended, VA COST SAVINGS Enhancements Act;
and H.R. 6066, as amended to amend title 38, United States
Code, to improve the productivity of the management of
Department of Veterans Affairs health care, and for other
purposes.
On July 12, 2018, an amendment to H.R. 2787 was offered by
Representative Mark Takano of California and was agreed to by
voice vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R. 2787, as
amended, to the Full House was offered by Ranking Member Tim
Walz of Minnesota and adopted by voice vote.
On July 12, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 5693 was offered by Chairman Phil Roe of
Tennessee and was agreed to by voice vote. A motion to
favorably forward H.R. 5693 as amended, to the House was
offered by Ranking Member Walz of Minnesota and adopted by
voice vote.
On July 12, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 6066, as amended, was offered by
Representative Ann McLane Kuster of New Hampshire and was not
agreed to by voice vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R.
6066, as amended, to the House was offered by Vice Chairman Gus
Bilirakis of Florida and adopted by voice vote.
On July 12, 2018, H.R. 2409; H.R. 5538; H.R. 5864; H.R.
5882; H.R. 5938, as amended; and H.R. 5974, as amended, were
considered en bloc. A motion to favorably forward the en bloc
bills to the House was offered by Ranking Member Tim Walz of
Minnesota and adopted by voice vote.
ACTIVITIES OF THE FULL COMMITTEE
First Session
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Oversight Hearing--Assessing the VA IT Landscape: Progress and
Challenges
On February 7, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a hearing to assess the major information technology
modernization projects and programs underway at VA, including
an examination of their histories, objectives, cost and
schedule goals, as well as the choices that must be made in the
future regarding their directions.
Testimony was provided by Rob C. Thomas, II, Acting
Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief
Information Officer, Office of Information and Technology, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, accompanied by Jennifer S. Lee,
M.D., Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy and
Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Bradley Houston, Director, Office of Business
Integration, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; and David A. Powner, Director, IT
Management Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
Statements for the record were provided by The American Legion;
Blinded Veterans Association; Disabled American Veterans; and
the Veterans of Foreign Wars. See, ``Assessing the VA IT
Landscape: Progress and Challenges,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Oversight Hearing--``Shaping the Future: Consolidating and Improving VA
Community Care''
On March 7, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
hearing titled ``Shaping the Future: Consolidating and
Improving VA Community Care''. On the first panel, testimony
was provided by the Honorable John McCain, U.S. Senator,
Arizona. On the second panel, testimony was provided by the
Honorable David J. Shulkin, M.D., Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans' Affairs who was accompanied by Dr. Baligh Yehia,
M.D., Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Community Care,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans'
Affairs. Testimony was also provided by the Honorable Michael
J. Missal, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans'
Affairs; and Randy Williamson, Director, Health Care, U.S.
Government Accountability Office. Serial No. 115-5.
Site Visit--Phoenix, Arizona & Ft. Huachuca, Arizona
On March 30--April 3, 2017 Ranking Member Tim Walz and
minority staff traveled to Phoenix, AZ to conduct an oversight
visit of the Phoenix VA Medical Center, and Ft. Huachuca, AZ to
observe the Department of Defense Soldier For Life and
Transition Assistance Programs. At the Phoenix VA Medical
Facility Representative Walz toured the facility, met with
veterans and local facility leaders, received updates on the
progress of the Choice Program implementation, and assessed the
operations and management of the facility.
Oversight Hearing--An Assessment of Ongoing Concerns at the Veterans
Crisis Line
On April 4, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
open session to conduct an oversight hearing on the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Crisis Line (VCL).
Testimony was provided by: the Honorable Michael J. Missal,
Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Kayda Keleher, Legislative
Associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States; Melissa Bryant, Director of
Intergovernmental Affairs, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America; and Steve Young, Deputy Under Secretary for Operations
and Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs, who was accompanied by Matthew Eitutis,
Acting Executive Director, Office of Member Services, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
See, ``An Assessment of Ongoing Concerns at the Veterans Crisis
Line,'' Serial No. 115-9.
Oversight Hearing--U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request
for Fiscal Year 2018
On May 24, 2017, the Full Committee met to discuss the
Department of Veterans Affairs' Fiscal Year 2018 budget request
to Congress.
Testimony was provided by: the Honorable David J. Shulkin
M.D., Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who was
accompanied by Edward Murray, Acting Assistant Secretary for
Management and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mark Yow, Chief Financial Officer, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
James Manker, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for
Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Matthew Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary for
Finance and Planning and Chief Financial Officer, National
Cemetery Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
and Rob Thomas, Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and
Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year
2018,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--Overcoming PTSD: Assessing VA's Efforts To Promote
Wellness and Healing
On June 7, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
open session to conduct an oversight hearing on post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans.
Testimony was provided by: Brendan O'Byrne, Veteran, United
States Army; Sebastian Junger, Author, Tribe: on Homecoming and
Belonging; Zach Iscol, Executive Director, Headstrong Project,
and Veteran, United States Marine Corps; Paul Downs, Staff
Member, Boulder Crest Retreat Team, Operation Warrior Wellness,
The David Lynch Foundation, and Veteran, United States Marine
Corps; and Harold Kudler M.D., Acting Assistant Deputy Under
Secretary for Patient Care Services, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who was
accompanied by Brad Flohr, Senior Advisor, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See,
``Overcoming PTSD: Assessing VA's Efforts to Promote Wellness
and Healing,'' Serial No. 115-16.
Oversight Hearing--Care Where It Counts: Assessing VA's Capital Asset
Needs
On July 12, 2017, the Committee on Veterans Affairs met in
open session to conduct an oversight hearing on the Department
of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) capital asset program.
Testimony was provided by: The Honorable Anthony Principi,
Former Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Roscoe
G. Butler, Deputy Director for Health Care, Veterans Affairs
and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Debra Draper,
Director, Health Care Team, Government Accountability Office;
and James M. Sullivan, Director, Office of Asset Enterprise
Management, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who was
accompanied by Regan Crump MSN, DrPH, Assistant Deputy Under
Secretary for Health, Policy, and Planning, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See,
``Care Where It Counts: Assessing VA's Capital Asset Needs,''
Serial No. 115-22.
Oversight Hearing--New Names, Same Problems: The VA Medical Surgical
Prime Vendor Program
On December 7, 2017, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a hearing on the VA Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor (MSPV)
program, including its ``Next Generation'' and ``2.0''
iterations.
Testimony was provided by Ricky Lemmon, Acting Chief
Procurement and Logistics Officer, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
accompanied by Phillip Christy, Acting Executive Director,
Office of Acquisition Operations, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Shelby Oakley, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing
Management, U.S. Government Accountability Office; and Roger
Waldron, President, The Coalition for Government Procurement. A
statement for the record was provided by AdvaMed. See, ``New
Names, Same Problems: The VA Medical Surgical Prime Vendor
Program,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Second Session
Oversight Hearing--The Denver Replacement Medical Center: Light at the
End of the Tunnel?
On January 17, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a hearing on the completion of construction and beginning
of activation at the new Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center
in Aurora, Colorado.
Testimony was provided by Stella Fiotes, AIA, Acting
Principal Executive Director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics,
and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
accompanied by Dennis Milsten, Associate Executive Director,
Office of Construction and Facilities Management, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs and Ralph Gigliotti, FACHE,
Network Director, VISN 19, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Lloyd Caldwell, Director of
Military Programs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer; and Andrew Von
Ah, Director, Physical Infrastructure Team, U.S. Government
Accountability Office. See, ``The Denver Replacement Medical
Center: Light at the End of the Tunnel?'' Serial No. 115-57.
Oversight Hearing--Appeals Reform: Will VA's Implementation Effectively
Service Veterans?
On Tuesday, January 30, 2018, the Full Committee held a
hearing to examine VA's implementation of the Veterans Appeals
Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by The Honorable
Thomas G. Bowman, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Bowman was accompanied by The Honorable Cheryl L.
Mason, Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. David R. McLenachen, Director, Appeals
Management Office, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and, Mr. David J. Barrans,
Chief Counsel, Benefits Law Group, Office of General Counsel,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, testimony
was provided by The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller
General, U.S. Accountability Office; Mr. Dodaro was accompanied
by Ms. Elizabeth H. Curda, Director, Education, Workforce, and
Income Security Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Jim
Marszalek, National Service Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Ms. Diane Boyd Rauber, Esq., Executive Director,
National Organization of Veterans' Advocates; and, Mr. Steven
Henry, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of
America.
A Statement for the Record was provided by The American
Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
See, ``Appeals Reform: Will VA's Implementation Effectively
Service Veterans?'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--VA Caregiver Support Program: Correcting Course for
Veteran Caregivers
On February 6, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met
in open session to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs'
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: The
Honorable David Shulkin M.D., Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, who was accompanied by Margaret (Meg) Kabat
LCSW-C, CCM, Acting Chief Consultant, Care Management, Chaplain
and Social Work Service, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs and Richard M. Allman M.D.,
Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and Extended Care Service,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Adrian
Atizado, Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Sarah Dean, Associate Legislative Director,
Paralyzed Veterans of America; and Steven Schwab, Executive
Director, The Elizabeth Dole Foundation. See, ``VA Caregiver
Support Program: Correcting Course for Veteran Caregivers,''
Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request
for Fiscal Year 2019
On February 15, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a hearing to receive VA's testimony on its Fiscal Year
2019 budget request.
Testimony was provided by The Honorable David J. Shulkin
M.D., Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
accompanied by The Honorable Jon Rychalski, Assistant Secretary
for Management and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mark Yow, Chief Financial Officer, Veterans
Health Administration; James Manker, Acting Principal Deputy
Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration;
Matthew Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and
Planning, National Cemetery Administration; and Richard
Chandler, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resource Management,
Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See, ``U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2019,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Oversight Field Hearing--Partnering, Payment, and Provider Access: VA
Community Care in North Carolina
On March 23, 2018, the Full Committee met in open session
to conduct an oversight field hearing in Fayetteville, North
Carolina, to discuss strategies to improve the Department of
Veterans Affairs' care in the community programs--including the
Choice program--to facilitate access to timely, quality care
for veterans in North Carolina both inside the Department's
healthcare system and in the community.
Testimony was provided by: David W. Catoe, FHFMA, Assistant
Vice-President, Patient Financial Services, Atrium Health;
Sarah Verardo, Executive Director, The Independence Fund; Staff
Sergeant Gary B. Goodwin (Ret.), Veteran, U.S. Army; Chief
Master Sergeant Daryl D. Cook, Chief, Fire Emergency Services,
145th Civil Engineering Squadron/Civil Engineering Flight,
North Carolina Air National Guard; and DeAnne M. Seekins MBA,
Network Director, VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6),
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, who was accompanied by Mark E. Shelhorse M.D., Interim
Medical Center Director, Fayetteville VA Medical Center, Chief
Medical Officer, VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6),
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs and Joseph Enderle, Program Manager, Veterans Choice
and VA Timely Payment Initiative, Delivery Operations, Office
of Community Care, Veterans Health Administration. See,
``Partnering, Payment, and Provider Access: VA Community Care
in North Carolina,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--The Curious Case of the VISN Takeover: Assessing
VA's Governance Structure
On May 22, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
hearing on the organization and performance of VA's Veterans
Integrated Service Networks.
Testimony was provided by Carolyn Clancy, M.D., Executive
in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, accompanied by W. Bryan Gamble, M.D., Deputy
Chief of Staff, Orlando VA Medical Center, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; The
Honorable Michael J. Missal, Inspector General, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; and Roscoe G. Butler, Deputy Director for
Health Care, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division, The American Legion. See, ``The Curious Case of the
VISN Takeover: Assessing VA's Governance Structure,'' Serial
No. 115-57.
Oversight Hearing--VA Electronic Health Record Modernization: the
Beginning of the Beginning
On June 26, 2018, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
hearing on the VA Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM)
program.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Peter
O'Rourke, Acting Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, accompanied by John Windom, Program Executive Officer,
Electronic Health Record Modernization Program, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; John Short, Chief Technology Officer,
Electronic Health Record Modernization Program, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; and Ashwini Zenooz, M.D., Chief Medical
Officer, Electronic Health Record Modernization Program, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Vice Admiral Raquel Bono,
Director, Defense Health Agency, U.S. Department of Defense. On
the second panel, testimony was provided by John Windom,
Program Executive Officer, Electronic Health Record
Modernization Program, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
accompanied by John Short, Chief Technology Officer, Electronic
Health Record Modernization Program, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, and Ashwini Zenooz, M.D., Chief Medical
Officer, Electronic Health Record Modernization Program, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Zane Burke, President, Cerner
Corporation; and David Powner, Director of IT Management
Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office. See, ``VA
Electronic Health Record Modernization: The Beginning of the
Beginning,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Oversight Hearing--Department of Veterans' Affairs Accountability and
Whistleblower Protection Act: One Year Later
On July 17, 2018 the Full Committee met in an open session
to conduct an oversight hearing on implementation of Department
of Veterans' Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower
Protection Act of 2017.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Mr. Peter
O'Rourke, Acting Secretary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
who was accompanied by Mr. Kirk Nicholas, Acting Executive
Director, Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Mr. Nathan Maenle,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Human Resources
and Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Mr. J.
David Cox Sr., National President, American Federation of
Government Employees (AFGE). See, ``Department of Veterans'
Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act: One
Year Later,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--Assessing Whether VA is on Track to Successfully
Implement Appeals Reform
On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, the Full Committee held a
hearing to explore the Department of Veterans Affairs' progress
towards full implementation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement
and Modernization Act of 2017.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by The Honorable
Paul R. Lawrence, Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Mr. Lawrence was accompanied by The Honorable Cheryl L. Mason,
Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. David R. McLenachen, Director, Appeals
Management Office, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Richard J. Hipolit, Deputy
General Counsel for Legal Policy, Office of General Counsel,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and, Mr. Lloyd Thrower,
Deputy Chief Information Officer, Account Manager, Benefits
Portfolio, Office of Information & Technology, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, testimony was provided by
Ms. Elizabeth H. Curda, Director, Education, Workforce, and
Income Security Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office;
Ms. Curda was accompanied by Mr. James T. Whitcomb, Assistant
Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Team, U.S.
Government Accountability Office. See, ``Assessing Whether VA
Is On Track to Successfully Implement Appeals Reform.'' Serial
No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--Veteran Suicide Prevention: Maximizing Effectiveness
and Increasing Awareness
September 27, 2018, the Full Committee met in open session
to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to
prevent suicide among veterans.
Testimony was provided by: Gregory K. Brown Ph.D.,
Director, Center for the Prevention of Suicide, Research
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry Perelman School
of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Michael C. Richardson,
Vice President of Independent Services and Mental Health,
Wounded Warrior Project; Lt Col James R. Lorraine USAF (Ret.),
President and Chief Executive Officer, America's Warrior
Partnership; Bill Mulcahy, Co-Founder, Guard Your Buddy; and
Keita Franklin LCSW, Ph.D., National Director, Suicide
Prevention, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, who was accompanied by Michael W. Fisher MSW, Chief
Readjustment Counseling Officer, Readjustment Counseling
Service, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See, ``Veteran Suicide Prevention: Maximizing
Effectiveness and Increasing Awareness,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--Is VA Ready for Full Implementation of Appeals
Reform?
On Wednesday, December 12, 2018, the Full Committee held a
hearing to explore the Department of Veterans Affairs' progress
towards full implementation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement
and Modernization Act of 2017.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Mr. James
Byrne, Acting Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Byrne was accompanied by The Honorable Cheryl L.
Mason, Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. David R. McLenachen, Director, Appeals
Management Office, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Lloyd Thrower, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, testimony was provided by
The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General; U.S.
Accountability Office; Mr. Dodaro was accompanied by Ms.
Elizabeth H. Curda, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income
Security Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office. See, ``Is
VA Ready for Full Implementation of Appeals Reform?'' Serial
No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--Tracking Transformation: VA Mission Act
Implementation
On December 19, 2018, the Full Committee met in open
session to conduct an oversight hearing of the Department of
Veterans Affairs' implementation of the MISSION Act 180 days
after enactment.
Testimony was provided by: The Honorable Robert Wilkie,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, who was
accompanied by Melissa Glynn Ph.D., Assistant Secretary, Office
of Enterprise Integration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
and Steven L. Lieberman M.D., Executive in Charge, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
See, ``Tracking Transformation: VA MISSION Act
Implementation,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH
First Session
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing On: Draft Legislation, the
Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act of 2017; H.R. 91;
H.R. 95; H.R. 467; H.R. 907; H.R. 918; H.R. 1005; H.R. 1162;
H.R. 1545, and H.R. 1662
On March 29, 2017, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct a legislative hearing on the following:
draft legislation, the Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot
Act of 2017; H.R. 91, the Building Supportive Networks for
Women Veterans Act; H.R. 95, the Veterans' Access to Child Care
Act; H.R. 467, the VA Scheduling Accountability Act; H.R. 907,
the Newborn Care Improvement Act; H.R. 918, the Veterans Urgent
Access to Mental Health Care Act; H.R. 1005, to improve the
provision of adult day health care services for veterans; H.R.
1162, the No Hero Left Untreated Act; H.R. 1545, to clarify
VA's authority to disclose certain patient information to State
controlled substance monitoring programs; and H.R. 1662, to
prohibit smoking in any facility of the Veterans Health
Administration.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by:
Representative Phil Roe of Tennessee; Representative Jackie
Walorski of Indiana; Representative Doug Collins of Georgia;
Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado; Representative Stephen
Knight of California; and Representative Ann M. Kuster of New
Hampshire.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Kayda
Keleher, Legislative Associate, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Shurhonda Y.
Love, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Sarah S. Dean, Associate Legislative
Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; and Jennifer S. Lee,
M.D., Deputy Under Secretary for Health and for Policy and
Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Susan Blauert, Chief
Counsel for the Health Care Law Group, Office of the General
Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``the
Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act of 2017; H.R. 91;
H.R. 95; H.R. 467; H.R. 907; H.R. 918; H.R. 1005; H.R. 1162;
H.R. 1545, and H.R. 1662,'' Serial No. 115-8.
Markup--H.R. 91, H.R. 95, H.R. 467, H.R. 907, H.R. 918, H.R. 1005, H.R.
1162, H.R. 1545, H.R. 1662, and H.R. 1848
On April 6, 2017, the Subcommittee on Health met and marked
up: H.R. 91, the Building Supportive Networks for Women
Veterans Act, introduced by Representative Julia Brownley of
California; H.R. 95, the Veterans' Access to Child Care Act,
introduced by Representative Julia Brownley of California; H.R.
467, the VA Scheduling Accountability Act, introduced by
Representative Jackie Walorski of Indiana; H.R. 907, the
Newborn Care Improvement Act, introduced by Representative Doug
Collins of Georgia; H.R. 918, the Veteran Urgent Access to
Mental Healthcare Act, introduced by Representative Mike
Coffman of Colorado; H.R. 1005, to improve the provision of
adult day health care services for veterans, introduced by
Representative Lee Zeldin of New York; H.R. 1162, the No Hero
Left Untreated Act, introduced by Representative Stephen Knight
of California; H.R. 1545, to clarify the authority of the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disclose certain patient
information to State controlled substance monitoring programs
introduced by Representative Ann Kuster of New Hampshire; H.R.
1662, to prohibit smoking in any facility of the Veterans
Health Administration, introduced by Representative Brad
Wenstrup of Ohio; and H.R. 1848, the Veterans Affairs Medical
Scribe Pilot Act of 2017, introduced by Representative Phil Roe
of Tennessee.
On April 6, 2017, H.R. 91; H.R. 95; H.R. 467; H.R. 907;
H.R. 918; H.R. 1005; H.R. 1162; H.R. 1545; H.R. 1662; and H.R.
1848 were considered by the Subcommittee on Health en bloc.
H.R. 91; H.R. 95; H.R. 467; H.R. 907; H.R. 918; H.R. 1005; H.R.
1162; H.R. 1545; H.R. 1662; and H.R. 1848 all passed the Health
Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R.
91; H.R. 95; H.R. 467; H.R. 907; H.R. 918; H.R. 1005; H.R.
1162; H.R. 1545; H.R. 1662; and H.R. 1848 to the Full Committee
was offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of California and
adopted by voice vote.
Legislative Hearing--H.R. 93; H.R. 501; H.R. 1063; H.R. 1066; H.R.
1943; H.R. 1972; H.R. 2147; H.R. 2225; H.R. 2327; and, A Draft
Bill To Make Certain Improvements in VA's Health Professionals
Educational Assistance Program
On September 26, 2017, the Subcommittee on Health met in
open session to conduct a legislative hearing on the following:
H.R. 93, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for
increased access to Department of Veterans Affairs medical care
for women veterans; H.R. 501, VA Transparency Enhancement Act
of 2017; H.R. 1063, Veteran Prescription Continuity Act; H.R.
1066, VA Management Alignment Act of 2017; H.R. 1943, Restoring
Maximum Mobility to Our Nation's Veterans Act of 2017; H.R.
1972, VA Billing Accountability Act; H.R. 2147, Veterans
Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018; H.R. 2225, Veterans
Dog Training Therapy Act; H.R. 2327, PAWS Act of 2017; and a
draft bill to make certain improvements in VA's Health
Professionals Educational Assistance Program.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by:
Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan; Representative Beto
O'Rourke of Texas; Representative Derek Kilmer of Washington;
Representative Steve King of Iowa; Representative Lloyd Smucker
of Pennsylvania; Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado;
Representative Steve Stivers of Ohio; Representative Ron
DeSantis of Florida; and Representative John Rutherford of
Florida.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Keronica
Richardson, Assistant Director of Women and Minority Veterans,
Outreach, National Security Division, The American Legion; Rick
Weidman, Executive Director for Policy and Government Affairs,
Vietnam Veterans of America; Amy Webb, National Legislative
Policy Advisor, AMVETS; and Harold Kudler M.D., Acting
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Patient Care
Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Catherine Biggs-Silver,
Executive Director for Mission, Planning, and Analysis, Human
Resources and Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See, ``H.R. 93; H.R. 501; H.R. 1063; H.R. 1066; H.R.
1943; H.R. 1972; H.R. 2147; H.R. 2225; H.R. 2327; and, a draft
bill to make certain improvements in VA's Health Professionals
Educational Assistance Program,'' Serial No. 115-31.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
First Session
Site Visit--Memphis, TN
On January 30--February 2, 2017, Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Health traveled to the Memphis, Tennessee, to
conduct an oversight visit of the Memphis VA Medical Center.
During the oversight visit, Subcommittee staff assessed the
operations and management of the facility, toured the grounds,
and met with local facility leaders to discuss issues
including: human resources, quality of care, community care,
privacy, controlled substances, mental health, engineering,
productivity, and information technology.
Roundtable Discussion--Introductory VSO Roundtable
On February 1, 2017, the Subcommittee on Health hosted a
roundtable discussion entitled, ``Introductory VSO
Roundtable.''
Oversight Hearing--Healthy Hiring: Enabling VA To Recruit and Retain
Quality Providers
On March 22, 2017, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct an oversight hearing on the ability of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration
to recruit and retain high quality clinical and administrative
employees.
Testimony was provided by: Max Stier, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Partnership for Public Service; Louis J.
Celli Jr., Director of National Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Steve Young,
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and
Management, Veterans Heath Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Paula Molloy Ph.D.,
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Workforce
Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Robert Goldenkoff, Director of Strategic
Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office who was
accompanied by Debra A. Draper Ph.D., Director of Health Care,
U.S. Government Accountability Office. See, ``Healthy Hiring:
Enabling VA to Recruit and Retain Quality Providers,'' Serial
No. 115-7
Site Visit--Dayton, OH
On April 5-6, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Health traveled to the Dayton, Ohio, to conduct a visit to the
Dayton VA Medical Center. The purpose of this visit was to
attend the Community Care Listening Session hosted at the
Dayton VA Medical Center.
Site Visit--Nashville and Mountain Home, TN
On April 10-13, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Health traveled to Nashville and Mountain Home, Tennessee,
to conduct oversight visits of the Tennessee Valley Healthcare
System-Nashville Campus-and the James H. Quillen VA Medical
Center. The oversight trip allowed Subcommittee staff to assess
and compare the management and operations of two VA medical
centers, one in an urban area and one in a rural area.
Roundtable Discussion--Veteran Caregivers: A Roundtable Discussion on
the Challenges and Future of VA's Caregiver Support Program
On April 27, 2017, the Subcommittee on Health hosted a
roundtable discussion entitled, ``Veteran Caregivers: A
Roundtable Discussion on the Challenges and Future of VA's
Caregiver Support Program.''
Hearing--VA Specialized Services: Lower Extremity Conditions
On May 2, 2017, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct an oversight hearing on lower extremity
injuries and conditions among veteran patients.
Testimony was provided by: Steven L. Goldman DPM, MBA,
President, American Board of Podiatric Medicine; Seth
Rubenstein DPM, Treasurer, Board of Trustees, Immediate Past
Chairman of Legislative Committee, American Podiatric Medical
Association; Col. James Ficke MD (ret.), Member of American
Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, American Association of
Orthopaedic Surgeons; Jeffrey M. Brandt CPO, Member, American
Orthotics and Prosthetics Association; and Jeffrey Robbins DPM,
Chief of Podiatry, Veterans Heath Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``VA Specialized Services:
Lower Extremity Conditions,'' Serial No. 115-13.
Site Visit--Pittsburgh, PA
On May 8-10, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Health traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to conduct an
oversight visit of the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center. During the
oversight visit, Subcommittee staff assessed the research
office, nonprofit corporations, academic affiliations community
care, caregivers, pharmacy and pain management, mental health,
union representation, transplants, abandoned property, and site
logistics--such as staff training and information technology
systems.
Oversight Hearing--FY 2018 Department of Veterans Affairs Budget
Request for the Veterans Health Administration
On June 22, 2017, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct an oversight hearing on the Department of
Veterans Affairs' fiscal year 2018 budget submission for
medical programs. During the hearing, the Subcommittee focused
particularly on the President's budget request as it relates to
medical and mental health care, medical and prosthetic
research, construction and infrastructure, and veteran
homelessness.
Testimony was provided by: Joy Ilem, National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; Carl Blake, Associate
Executive Director, Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of
America; Carlos Fuentes, Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Matthew
Shuman, Director, Legislative Division, The American Legion;
and Poonam Alaigh M.D., MSHCPM, FACP, Acting Under Secretary
for Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Mark W. Yow MBA, Chief
Financial Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``FY 2018 Department of
Veterans Affairs Budget Request for the Veterans Health
Administration,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--Maximizing Access and Resources: An Examination of
VA Productivity and Efficiency
On July 13, 2017, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct an oversight hearing on clinical
productivity and efficiency in the Department of Veterans
Affairs healthcare system.
Testimony was provided by: C. Sharif Ambrose, Principal,
Grant Thornton LLP; Randall B. Williamson, Director, Health
Care, Government Accountability Office; Jonathan B. Perlin
M.D., Ph.D., President, Clinical Services Group, Chief Medical
Officer, HCA Healthcare, Inc.; and Carolyn Clancy M.D., Deputy
Under Secretary for Organizational Excellence, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who was
accompanied by Murray D. Altose M.D., Chief of Staff, Louis
Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Veterans Integrated Service
Network 10, Veterans Heath Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See, ``Maximizing Access and Resources: An
Examination of VA Productivity and Efficiency,'' Serial No.
115-24.
Roundtable Discussion--Telehealth Progress and Opportunities for VA
Health Care
On September 12, 2017, the Subcommittee on Health hosted a
roundtable discussion entitled, ``Telehealth Progress and
Opportunities for VA Health Care.''
Site Visit--Clarksburg, WV
On September 18-20, 2017, Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Health traveled to Clarksburg, West Virginia,
to conduct an oversight visit of the Louis A. Johnson VA
Medical Center. During the oversight visit, Subcommittee staff
assessed a number of issues, such as suicide prevention, the
privacy office, community care, mental health, work therapy
program, human resources, union representation, engineering
department, pharmacy department, controlled substances and
opioid initiative, emergency room function, quality management,
management, telehealth, academic affiliations, and logistics.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH
Second Session
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 1506; H.R. 2322; H.R.
3832; H.R. 4334; H.R. 4635; A Draft Bill To Authorize VA to
Conduct and Support Research on the Efficacy and Safety of
Medicinal Cannabis; and, A Draft Bill To Make Certain
Improvements in the Family Caregiver Program
On Tuesday, April 17, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health met
in open session to conduct a legislative hearing on the
following: H.R. 1506, the VA Health Care Provider Education
Debt Relief Act of 2017; H.R. 2322, the Injured and Amputee
Veterans Bill of Rights; H.R. 3832, the Veterans Opioid Abuse
Prevention Act; H.R. 4334, the Improving Oversight of Women
Veterans' Care Act of 2017; H.R. 4635, to direct the secretary
of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of peer-to-peer
counselors providing counseling for women veterans, and for
other purposes; a draft bill to authorize VA to conduct and
support research on the efficacy and safety of medicinal
cannabis; and, a draft bill to make certain improvements in the
Family Caregiver Program.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by:
Representative Beto O'Rourke of Texas; Representative Tim
Walberg of Michigan; Representative Neal Dunn of Florida;
Representative Luis Correa of California; and Representative
Mike Coffman of Colorado.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Louis J.
Celli, Director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division, The American Legion; Adrian M. Atizado, Deputy
National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans;
Sarah S. Dean, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; and Kayda Keleher, Associate Director
National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States. See, ``H.R. 1506; H.R. 2322; H.R. 3832; H.R.
4334; H.R. 4635; a draft bill to authorize VA to conduct and
support research on the efficacy and safety of medicinal
cannabis; and, a draft bill to make certain improvements in the
Family Caregiver Program,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 2787, H.R. 3696, H.R.
5521, H.R. 5693, H.R. 5864, H.R. 5934, H.R. 5974, and H.R. 6066
On June 13, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct a legislative hearing on the following
bills: H.R. 2787, the Veterans-Specific Education for
Tomorrow's Medical Doctors (VET MD) Act; H.R. 3696, the Wounded
Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act; H.R. 5521, the VA Hiring
Enhancement Act; H.R. 5693, the Long Term Care Veterans Choice
Act; H.R. 5864, the VA Hospitals Establishing Leadership
Performance (VA HELP) Act; H.R. 5938, the Veterans Serving
Veterans Act of 2018; H.R. 5974, the Department of Veterans
Affairs Creation of On-Site Treatment Systems Affording
Veterans Improvements and Numerous General Safety Enhancements
(VA COST SAVINGS) Act; and H.R. 6066, to improve the
productivity of the management of Department of Veterans
Affairs health care.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by:
Representative Vicky Hartzler of Missouri; Representative Marcy
Kaptur of Ohio; Representative Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania;
Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana; Representative Mike
Bostt of Illinois; Representative Jeff Denham of California;
Representative Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico; and
Representative Brad Wenstrup of Ohio.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Roscoe
Butler, Deputy Director for Health Care, Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation, The American Legion; Jeremy Villanueva,
Associate National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Kayda Keleher, Associate Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States; and Jessica Bonjorni, Acting Assistant Deputy Under
Secretary for Health for Workforce Services, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who was
accompanied by Dayna Cooper, Director, Home and Community-Based
Programs, Veterans Health Administration U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See, ``Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 2787;
H.R. 3696; H.R. 5521; H.R. 5693; H.R. 5864; H.R. 5934; H.R.
5974; and H.R. 6066,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Markup--H.R. 2787, H.R. 3696, H.R. 5693, H.R. 5864, H.R. 5938, H.R.
5974, and H.R. 6066
On June 27, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct a markup of the following bills: An
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 2787, the
Veterans-Specific Education for Tomorrow's Medical Doctors (VET
MD) Act, introduced by Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio; An
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 3696, the
Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act, introduced by
Representative Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania; An Amendment in
the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 5693, the Long Term Care
Veterans Choice Act, introduced by Representative Clay Higgins
of Louisiana; An Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to
H.R. 5864, the VA Hospitals Establishing Leadership Performance
(VA HELP) Act, introduced by Representative Jenniffer Gonzalez-
Colon of Puerto Rico; H.R. 5938, the Veterans Serving Veterans
Act of 2018; H.R. 5974, the Department of Veterans Affairs
Creation of On-Site Treatment Systems Affording Veterans
Improvements and Numerous General Safety Enhancements (VA COST
SAVINGS) Act; and An Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to
H.R. 6066, to improve the productivity of the management of
Department of Veterans Affairs health care, introduced by
Representative Brad Wenstrup of Ohio.
On June 27, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 2787 was offered by Representative Mark
Takano of California. An amendment to the amendment in the
nature of a substitute to H.R. 2787 was offered by
Representative Neal Dunn of Florida. The amendment to the
amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to by voice
vote. The amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended,
was agreed to by voice vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R.
2787, as amended, to the Full Committee was offered by
Representative Julia Brownley of California and agreed to by
voice vote.
On June 27, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3696 was offered by Representative Luis
Correa of California and was agreed to by voice vote. A motion
to favorably forward H.R. 3696, as amended, to the Full
Committee was offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of
California and agreed to by voice vote.
On June 27, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 5693 was offered by Representative Clay
Higgins of Louisiana and was agreed to by voice vote. A motion
to favorably forward H.R. 5693, as amended, to the Full
Committee was offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of
California and agreed to by voice vote.
On June 27, 2018, a motion to favorably forward H.R. 5864,
as introduced, to the Full Committee was offered by Ranking
Member Julia Brownley of California and agreed to by voice
vote.
On June 27, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 5938 was offered by Representative Jenniffer
Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico and was agreed to by voice vote.
A motion to favorably forward H.R. 5938, as amended, to the
Full Committee was offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of
California and agreed to by voice vote.
On June 27, 2018, an amendment to H.R. 5974 was offered by
Representative Amata Radewagen of American Samoa and was agreed
to by voice vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R. 5974, as
amended, to the Full Committee was offered by Ranking Member
Julia Brownley of California and agreed to by voice vote.
On June 27, 2018, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 6066 was offered by Chairman Neal Dunn of
Florida and was agreed to by voice vote. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 6066, as amended, to the Full Committee was
offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley and agreed to by voice
vote
Legislative Hearing--H.R. 5413 and H.R. 6418
On September 13, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health met in
open session to conduct a legislative hearing on H.R. 5413, the
Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of
2018; and H.R. 6418, the VA Website Accessibility Act of 2018.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by:
Representative Brian Mast of Florida; and Representative
Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Melanie
Brunson, Director of Government Relations, Blinded Veterans
Association; Matthew Shuman, Director, National Legislative
Division, The American Legion; and Jose Ramos, Legislative
Director, Wounded Warrior Project. See, ``Legislative Hearing
on H.R. 5413 and H.R. 6418,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Roundtable Discussion--VA's Progress With Regard To the GAO High Risk
List
On January 10, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health hosted a
roundtable discussion entitled, ``Roundtable Discussion: VA's
progress with regard to the GAO High Risk List.''
Joint Oversight Hearing of the Subcommittee on Health and the
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity--Addressing Veteran
Homelessness: Current Position; Future Course
On January 18, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health and
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing on the efforts of the Department
of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, and the Department of Labor to reduce veteran
homelessness.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: John F.
Clancy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tristate
Veterans Community Alliance; Angela F. Williams, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Easterseals, Inc.; Stephen Peck,
President and Chief Executive Officer U.S. VETS; John W.
Martin, Development Director, The Opportunity Center; and
Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer, National Coalition for
Homeless Veterans.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Matt
Miller, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and
Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor; Dominique Blom,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Public and Indian
Housing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
Thomas Lynch M.D., Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Clinical Operations, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, who was Accompanied by Keith W.
Harris Ph.D., Director of Clinical Operations, Homeless
Programs Office, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``Addressing Veteran
Homelessness: Current Position; Future Course,'' Serial No.
115-XX.
Roundtable Discussion--VSO Discussion
On March 7, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health hosted a
roundtable discussion entitled, ``VSO Discussion.''
Site Visit--San Juan, PR
On March 11 through March 12, 2018, The Chairman of the
Full Committee and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health
traveled to San Juan and Arecibo, Puerto Rico, to conduct an
oversight visit of the Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare
System in San Juan and the Veterans Affairs Arecibo Clinic in
Arecibo. Staff assessed the operations of both locations
following Hurricane Maria.
Oversight Field Hearing--VA Healthcare: Maximizing Resources in Puerto
Rico
On March 12, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct an oversight field hearing to discuss the
provisions of Department of Veterans Affairs' medical and
mental health care programs, as well as VA care in the
community programs, with a focus on the best use of available
resources in Puerto Rico.
Testimony was provided by: Agustin Montanez-Allman, Puerto
Rico State Director of Veterans' Affairs; Rafael Rodriguez
M.D., Puerto Rico Secretary of Health; Victor Ramos M.D.,
Puerto Rico College of Physicians and Surgeons; and Miguel
LaPuz M.D., Director, VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8),
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, who was accompanied by Antonio Sanchez M.D., Acting
Director, VA Caribbean Healthcare System, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Lewis
Ratchford Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary, Emergency Management
& Resilience, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``VA
Healthcare: Maximizing Resources in Puerto Rico'' Serial No.
115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--FY 2019 Department of Veterans Affairs Budget
Request for the Veterans Health Administration
On March 15, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct an oversight hearing on the Department of
Veterans Affairs fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget submission for
medical programs.
Testimony was provided by: Adrian M. Atizado, Deputy
National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans;
Sarah S. Dean, Associate Legislative Director, Government
Relations Department, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Patrick
Murray, Associate Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Matthew J.
Shuman, Director, National Legislative Division, The American
Legion; and Carolyn M. Clancy M.D., Executive in Charge,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, who was accompanied by Rachel Mitchell, Deputy Chief
Financial Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``FY 2019 Department of
Veterans Affairs Budget Request for the Veterans Health
Administration,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Joint Oversight Hearing of the Subcommittee on Health and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation--VA Research:
Focusing on Funding, Findings, and Partnerships
On May 17, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations met in open
session to conduct an oversight hearing to address
accountability issues regarding Department of Veterans Affairs'
partnerships with Nonprofit Research and Education
Corporations, academic affiliates, and other entities to
administer research funding and conduct and support research
efforts.
Testimony was provided by: Ms. Robin Rusconi, Chair, Board
of Directors, National Association of Veterans Research &
Education Foundation; Paul Klotman, M.D., President, CEO, and
Executive Dean, Baylor College of Medicine, On behalf of
Association of American Medical Colleges; and Carolyn Clancy,
M.D., Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Organization
Excellence, Veterans Health Administration, Department of
Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Rachel B. Ramoni
D.M.D., Sc.D., Chief Research and Development Officer, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
See, ``VA Research: Focusing on Funding, Findings, and
Partnerships,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Oversight Hearing--An Assessment of the Potential Health Effects of
Burn Pit Exposure Among Veterans
On June 7, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to discuss the potential long-term health effects of
burn pit exposure among veterans.
Testimony was provided by: Tom Porter, Legislative
Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Kenneth
Wiseman, Associate Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States; and Ralph L. Erickson, M.D., Dr.PH,
Chief Consultant, Post-Deployment Health, Office of Patient
Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Drew A. Helmer M.D.,
M.S., Director, War Related Illness and Injury Study Center and
Airborne Hazards Center of Excellence, VA New Jersey Health
Care System, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See ``An Assessment of the Potential Health
Effects of Burn Pit Exposure among Veterans,'' Serial No. 115-
XX.
Oversight Hearing--More Than Just Filling Vacancies: A Closer Look at
VA Hiring Authorities, Recruiting, and Retention
On June 21, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to discuss staffing for the Department of Veterans
Affairs healthcare system.
Testimony was provided by: Max Stier, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Partnership for Public Service; Debra A.
Draper, Director, Health Care, Government Accountability
Office; The Honorable Michael J. Missal, Inspector General,
Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Peter Shelby, Assistant Secretary for the Office
of Human Resources and Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, who was accompanied by Jessica Bonjorni,
Acting Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Workforce Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``More Than Just Filling
Vacancies: A Closer look at VA Hiring Authorities, Recruiting,
and Retention,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Joint Roundtable Discussion of the Subcommittee on Health and the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs--
Burn Pits and Potential Exposures: Establishing Links to
Benefits and Health Care
On July 18, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health and
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held
a joint roundtable discussion entitled, ``Burn Pits and
Potential Exposures: Establishing Links to Benefits and Health
Care.''
Roundtable Discussion--Current Practices and Future Trends of VA
Prosthetic Care
On July 25, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health held a
roundtable discussion entitled, ``Current Practices and Future
Trends of VA Prosthetic Care.''
Oversight Field Hearing--Va Long-Term Care: What's Working, What's Not,
and How To Best Serve Our Aging Veterans
On July 30, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct an oversight field hearing in Camarillo,
California, on long-term care for veterans and a veteran's
choices for care as they age or face catastrophic injuries or
illnesses.
Testimony was provided by: Katy Krul, Acting Executive
Director, Oxnard Family Circle ADHC; Mike McManus, County of
Ventura Veterans Service Officer; Thomas Martin, Assistant
Deputy Secretary, Homes Division California Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Teresa Boyd, D.O., Acting Assistant
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Operations and
Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, who was accompanied by Dr. Scotte Hartronft,
M.D., Chief of Staff, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See, ``VA Long-Term Care: What's Working, What's Not,
and How to Best Serve Our Aging Veterans,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Site Visit--Los Angeles, CA
On July 30, 2018, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Health traveled to Los Angeles, California, to conduct an
oversight visit of the Greater LA Health Care System to assess
campus construction and medical center operations.
Site Visit--Gainesville and Lake City, FL
On August 9-10, 2018, The Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Health traveled to Gainesville and Lake City, Florida, to
conduct oversight visits to the North Florida/South Georgia
Veterans Health System located in Gainesville and the Lake City
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lake City
Site Visit--Pago Pago, AS, and Honolulu, HI
On August 26-31, 2018, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Health traveled to Pago Pago, American Samoa, and Honolulu,
Hawaii, to conduct an oversight visit to assess the care
available to veterans in American Samoa and Hawaii.
Site Visit--Washington, D.C.
On October 11, 2018, Majority Staff for the Subcommittee on
Health conducted an oversight visit of the U.S. VETS
Washington, D.C. location to assess the organization's
comprehensive services provided to homeless and at-risk for
homelessness veterans through partnership with the Department
of Veterans Affairs.
Site Visit--Manchester, NH, and White River Junction, VT
On October 16-18, 2018, Majority staff from the
Subcommittee on Health traveled to Manchester, New Hampshire,
and White River Junction, Vermont, to conduct oversight visits
of the Manchester Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the White
River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the National
Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the White River
Junction Vet Center.
Site Visit--Sheperdstown, WV
On October 22, 2018, Majority and Minority staff for the
Subcommittee on Health traveled to Shepherdstown, West
Virginia, to conduct an oversight visit of the White House Call
Center and to assess the operations and management of the White
House Hotline.
Travel--New Orleans, LA
On October 30-November 1, 2018, Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Health traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana, to
attend the 2018 National Veterans Small Business Engagement.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
First Session
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Legislative Hearing--A Legislative Hearing on H.R. 1461, the Veterans,
Employees, and Taxpayers Protection Act of 2017
On March 21, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session to conduct a legislative hearing on H.R.
1461, the Veterans, Employees, and Taxpayers Protection Act of
2017.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Ms. Kimberly
Perkins McLeod, Acting Executive Director, Labor Management
Relations, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who was
accompanied by Mr. Rondy Waye, Human Resources Policy Advisor,
Office of Human Resources and Management, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Shirley Parker Blommel, President, Local
390, St. Cloud VA Health Care System, American Federation of
Government Employees, AFL-CIO; and Mr. Derk A. Wilcox, Senior
Attorney, Mackinac Center for Public Policy. See, ``A
legislative hearing on H.R. 1461, the ``Veterans, Employees,
and Taxpayers Protection Act of 2017,'' Serial No. 115-6
Legislative Hearing--A Legislative Hearing On The Following Bills: H.R.
282; H.R. 1690; H.R. 2631; H.R. 2772; A Draft Bill Entitled,
``To Amend Title 38, United States Code, To Authorize the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs To Furnish Assistance for
Adaptations of Residences of Veterans in Rehabilitation
Programs Under Chapter 31 Of Such Title, and for Other
Purposes;'' and A Draft Bill Entitled, ``To Amend Title 38,
United States Code, To Permit Appraisers Approved by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs To Make Appraisals for Purposes
of Chapter 37 of Such Title Based on Inspections Performed by
Third Parties''
On June 29, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session to conduct a legislative hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 282, Military Residency Choice Act; H.R.
1690, Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act;
H.R. 2631, Justice for Servicemembers Act of 2017; H.R. 2772,
SEA Act of 2018; a draft bill entitled, ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of
veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such
title, and for other purposes;'' and a draft bill entitled,
``To amend title 38, United States Code, to permit appraisers
approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make
appraisals for purposes of chapter 37 of such title based on
inspections performed by third parties.''
On the first panel, testimony was provided by:
Representative Elise Stefanik of New York; Representative
Robert Wittman of Virginia; Representative Claudia Tenney of
New York; Representative David Cicilline of Rhode Island; and
Representative Scott Taylor of Virginia.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Mr. Curtis
L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, who was accompanied by Ms. Tia Butler, Executive
Director, Corporate Senior Executive Management Office, Human
Resources and Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, and Mr. Jeffrey London, Director, Loan Guaranty
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips, USAR (Ret.),
Executive Director, Reserve Officers Association; and Mr.
Gabriel Stultz, Legislative Counsel, Paralyzed Veterans of
America. See, ``A legislative hearing on H.R. 282; H.R. 1690;
H.R. 2631; H.R. 2772; a draft bill entitled, ``To amend title
38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of
veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such
title, and for other purposes;'' and a draft bill entitled,
``To amend title 38, United States Code, to permit appraisers
approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make
appraisals for purposes of chapter 37 of such title based on
inspections performed by third parties,'' Serial No. 115-21.
Markup--H.R. 282, H.R. 1690, and H.R. 2772
On July 12, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met and marked up: H.R. 282, the Military Residency Choice Act,
introduced by Representative Elise Stefanik of New York; H.R.
1690, the Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency
Act, introduced by Representative Claudia Tenney of New York;
and H.R. 2772, the VA Senior Executive Accountability Act or
the `SEA Act,' introduced by Representative Scott Taylor of
Virginia.
On July 12, 2017, an amendment to H.R. 1690 was offered by
Representative Beto O'Rourke of Texas and was adopted by voice
vote. H.R. 1690, as amended, passed the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity by voice vote and was favorably forwarded
to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On July 12, 2017, H.R. 282 and H.R. 2772 were considered by
the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity en bloc. H.R. 282 and
H.R. 2772 passed the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity by
voice vote and were favorably forwarded to the Full Committee
by voice vote.
Legislative Hearing--A Legislative Hearing on the Following Bills: H.R.
815; H.R. 3018; H.R. 3634; H.R. 3949; H.R. 3965; A Draft Bill
Entitled, ``To Amend Title 38, United States Code, to Eliminate
the Applicability of Certain Provisions of the Administrative
Procedure Act to Housing and Business Loan Programs of the
Department of Veterans Affairs''; and a Draft Bill Entitled,
``To Amend Title 38, United States Code, to Make Certain
Improvements to the Use of Educational Assistance Provided by
the Department of Veterans Affairs for Flight Training
Programs''
On October 11, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session to conduct a legislative
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 815, 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.; H.R. 3018, Veterans' Entry to
Apprenticeship Act; H.R. 3634, Securing Electronic Records for
Veterans' Ease Act of 2017; H.R. 3949, VALOR Act; H.R. 3965,
Veterans Armed for Success Act; a draft bill entitled, ``to
amend title 38, United States Code, to eliminate the
applicability of certain provisions of the Administrative
Procedure Act to housing and business loan programs of the
Department of Veterans Affairs''; and a draft bill entitled,
``To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain
improvements to the use of educational assistance provided by
the Department of Veterans Affairs for flight training
programs.''
On the first panel, testimony was provided by:
Representative John H. Rutherford of Florida; Representative
James A. Himes of Connecticut; Representative Martha McSally of
Arizona; and Representative Ro Khanna of California.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Major
General Robert M. Worley II USAF (Ret.), Director, Education
Service, Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Mr. Jeffrey London,
Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. John
Kamin, Assistant Director, Veterans Employment and Education,
The American Legion; and Mr. William Hubbard, Vice President of
Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America. See ``A
legislative hearing on the following bills: H.R. 815; H.R.
3018; H.R. 3634; H.R. 3949; H.R. 3965; a draft bill entitled,
``To amend title 38, United States Code, to eliminate the
applicability of certain provisions of the Administrative
Procedure Act to housing and business loan programs of the
Department of Veterans Affairs''; and a draft bill entitled,
``To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain
improvements to the use of educational assistance provided by
the Department of Veterans Affairs for flight training
programs,'' Serial No. 115-33.
Markup of H.R. 815; H.R. 3018; H.R. 3634; H.R. 3949; H.R. 3965; and a
Draft Bill Entitled, ``To Amend Title 38, United States Code,
to Make Certain Improvements to the Use of Educational
Assistance Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for
Flight Training Programs''
On October 25, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met and marked up: H.R. 815, 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 introduced by Representative Lee
Zeldin of New York; H.R. 3018, the Veterans' Entry to
Apprenticeship Act introduced by Representative Martha McSally
of Arizona; H.R. 3634, the Securing Electronic Records for
Veterans' Ease Act of 2017 introduced by Representative Jim
Himes of Connecticut; H.R. 3949, the Veteran Apprenticeship and
Labor Opportunity Reform (VALOR) Act introduced by
Representative Ro Khanna of California; H.R. 3965, the Veterans
Armed for Success Act introduced by Representative John
Rutherford of Florida; and a draft bill entitled, to amend
title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to
the use of educational assistance provided by the Department of
Veterans Affairs for flight training programs.
On October 25, 2017, an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute to H.R. 3949 was offered by Representative Beto
O'Rourke of Texas. An amendment to the Amendment in the Nature
of a Substitute to H.R. 3949 was offered by Representative Jim
Banks of Indiana and was adopted by voice vote. The amendment
in the nature of a substitute, as amended, was adopted by voice
vote. H.R. 3949, as amended, passed the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity by voice vote and was favorably forwarded
to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On October 25, 2017, H.R. 815; H.R. 3018; H.R. 3634; H.R.
3965; and a draft bill entitled, ``To amend title 38, United
States Code, to make certain improvements to the use of
educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans
Affairs for flight training programs'' were considered by the
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity en bloc. H.R. 815; H.R.
3018; H.R. 3634; H.R. 3965; and a draft bill entitled, ``To
amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain
improvements to the use of educational assistance provided by
the Department of Veterans Affairs for flight training
programs'' passed the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity by
voice vote and were favorably forwarded to the Full Committee
by voice vote.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
First Session
Roundtable Discussion--Examining the Results of the National Veterans
Education Success Tracker
On February 7, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity held a roundtable to examine and discuss the
results of the NVEST project that was completed by the Student
Veterans of America, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and
the National Student Clearinghouse.
Oversight Hearing--the Use of Official Time for Union Activities at the
Department of Veterans Affairs
On February 16, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session to conduct a joint oversight
hearing with the Subcommittee on Government Operations of the
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to discuss
the Government Accountability (GAO) report entitled, ``Union
Activities. VA Could Better Track the Amount of Official Time
Used by Employees,'' and how the use of official time at the
Department of Veterans Affairs needs to be improved.
Testimony was provided by: Ms. Cindy Brown Barnes, Director
of Education, Workforce and Income Security, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Mr. J. David Cox, Sr., National
President, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-
CIO; Mr. Trey Kovacs, Policy Analyst, Competitive Enterprise
Institute; and Ms. Kimberly Perkins McLeod, Acting Executive
Director for Labor Management Relations, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See, ``The Use of Official Time for Union
Activities at the Department of Veterans Affairs,'' Serial No.
115-3.
Roundtable Discussion--Examining Modern Day Learning Opportunities for
Veterans
On March 9, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
hosted a roundtable to discuss modern day learning
opportunities for veterans and how to make certain programs
such as micro degrees, tech boot camps, distance learning etc.
more accessible to veterans.
Oversight Hearing--Assessing VA Approved Appraisers and How To Improve
the Program for the 21st Century
On April 4, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Loan Guaranty Service and VA-
approved appraisers. During the hearing, the Subcommittee
primarily focused on the need for an improved appraisal
process, especially for veteran homebuyers who live in rural
communities.
Testimony was provided by: Mr. Jeffrey London, Director,
Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Mr.
Gerald Kifer, Supervisory Appraiser, Loan Guaranty Service,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Michelle Brady, 2016 Real Property Valuation
Committee Chair, National Association of Realtors; Mr. Stephen
S. Wagner, Vice President, Appraisal Institute; and Mr. Russell
Johnson, Chief Revenue Officer, Clear Capital. See, ``Assessing
VA Approved Appraisers and How to Improve the Program for the
21st Century,'' Serial No. 115-10.
Site Visit--Buffalo, NY
On April 17-19, 2017, the Majority Staff Director and the
Professional Staff Member for the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity traveled to Buffalo, New York, to conduct an
oversight visit of the Buffalo Regional Processing Office.
During the oversight visit, Subcommittee staff assessed the
facility's management and ability to process GI Bill claims in
an accurate and timely manner; examined the space for the
Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment counselors located
there; and met with management to discuss any challenges that
exist at the facility among the leadership team and the rest of
the facility's staff.
Oversight Hearing--Improving the Quality and Timeliness of GI Bill
Processing for Student Veterans
On June 8, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing of the
quality and timeliness of the processing of GI Bill claims.
During the hearing, the Subcommittee primarily focused on the
information and technology (IT) systems for processing GI Bill
claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the sharing of
information for GI Bill claims between the Departments of
Veterans Affairs and Defense.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Major General Robert M. Worley II USAF (Ret.), Director,
Education Service, Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Mr. Lloyd
Thrower, Acting Information Technology Account Manager,
Benefits Portfolio, Office of Information & Technology, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs and Ms. Roberta ``Robbie'' Lowe,
Director, Debt Management Center, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Mr. Lernes J. Hebert, Acting Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy, U.S.
Department of Defense who was accompanied by Mr. Mark
Breckenridge, Deputy Director, Defense Manpower Data Center,
U.S. Department of Defense. See, ``Improving the Quality and
Timeliness of GI Bill Processing for Student Veterans,'' Serial
No. 115-18.
Roundtable Discussion--Examining Student Veteran Outcomes and Ways in
Which We Can Measure the Quality of Schools
On June 21, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
hosted a roundtable to discuss student veteran outcomes and
opportunities to measure the quality of schools based on these
outcomes.
Site Visit--Providence, RI
On August 14-15, 2017, the Majority Staff Director and the
Professional Staff Member for the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity travelled to Providence, Rhode Island to conduct
oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs' education
programs and to participate on the legislative panel at the
National Association of State Approving Agencies' (NASAA)
annual conference.
Site Visit--Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
On August 21-24, 2017, the Majority Staff Director and the
Professional Staff Member as well as the Minority Professional
Staff Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
travelled to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington (JBLM) to
conduct oversight of the Army's Transition Assistance Program
(TAP) and to visit Microsoft's Software & Systems Academy for
Veterans. During the visit, Subcommittee staff attended various
seminars held at JBLM for transitioning servicemembers as well
as attended a couple of the transition classes mandated through
TAP. Subcommittee staff also met with Army leadership at JBLM
to discuss any access issues they are having for servicemembers
to attend TAP and how the program can be improved.
Site Visit--Arlington/Fort Myer, VA
On September 19, 2017, the Minority Staff Director and the
Professional Staff Member for the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity traveled to the Army Soldier for Life-Transition
Assistance Program Headquarters to conduct an oversight visit
on the Army's transition and Career Skills programs. During the
oversight visit, Subcommittee staff met with leadership and
received briefings on the program's current capabilities and
future scope. Subcommittee staff then traveled to Joint Base
Myer-Henderson Hall to conduct an oversight visit on Transition
Assistance Program classes. Subcommittee staff met with program
administrators, watched classes, and met with service members.
Oversight Hearing--How to Improve Access to GI Bill Approved
Apprenticeship Programs and How These Programs Benefit Veterans
On September 27, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing
on apprenticeship programs approved for GI Bill benefits and
how the approval process can be improved to make
apprenticeships more accessible to student veterans and
employers.
On the first panel and only panel, testimony was provided
by: Major General Robert M. Worley II USAF (Ret.), Director,
Education Service, Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Joseph W. Wescott,
Legislative Director, National Association of State Approving
Agencies; Mr. Paul Marchand; Executive Vice President and Chief
Human Resources Officer, Charter Communications; and Mr. Dan
Penski, Special Assistant to the General President,
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. See, ``How
to Improve Access to GI Bill Approved Apprenticeship Programs
and How these Programs Benefit Veterans,'' Serial No. 115-32.
Site Visit--Phoenix, AZ
On October 6-8, 2017, the Majority Professional Staff
Member for the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity traveled to
Phoenix, Arizona to attend the Tragedy Assistance Program for
Survivors' (TAPS) National Military Suicide Seminar and Good
Grief Camp. During the trip, Subcommittee staff was able to
examine the services that TAPS provides to grieving families,
as well as meet with surviving families to discuss what
additional services they need from the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Oversight Hearing--A Review of the Interagency Transition Assistance
Program and the Need for Enhanced Outcome Measurements
On November 8, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing
of the Transition Assistance Program. During the hearing, the
Subcommittee primarily focused on the recently released GAO
report, entitled ``Transition Veterans--DoD Needs to Improve
Performance Reporting and Monitoring for the Transition
Assistance Program.'' The Subcommittee discussed the need for
the improved tracking of outcomes from program participants by
the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Labor.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Ms. Cindy
Brown Barnes, Director, Education, Workforce and Income
Security, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Ms. Margarita
Devlin, Executive Director, Benefits Assistance Service,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department Of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Ivan E. Denton, Director, Office of National
Programs, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, U.S.
Department of Labor; and Mr. Judd H. Lyons, Director, Defense
Personnel and Family Support Center, Office of the Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, U.S.
Department of Defense.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Brigadier
General Robert Bennett, Adjutant General, United States Army;
Rear Admiral Karl O. Thomas, Director, 21st Century Sailor
Office, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, United States
Navy; Brigadier General Kathleen A. Cook, Director, Air Force
Services, Manpower, Personnel and Services, United States Air
Force; and Brigadier General Kurt W. Stein, Director, Marine
and Family Programs, United States Marine Corps. See, ``A
Review of the Interagency Transition Assistance Program and the
Need for Enhanced Outcome Measurements,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Field Hearing--Best Practices in Veterans Education and
Transition to Civilian Life (Lubbock, TX)
On November 17, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session to conduct an oversight field
hearing at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. During the
hearing, the Subcommittee primarily focused on best practices
for student veterans at Texas Tech University and how schools,
community providers and others can assist student veterans in
their education and their transition to civilian life.
Testimony was provided by: Dr. Tedd Mitchell, President,
Health Sciences Center, Texas Tech University; Mr. Aaron Kyle
Chapman, USMC, School of Nursing Veteran Liaison, Health
Sciences Center, Texas Tech University; Colonel Lou Ortiz, USAF
(Ret.), Director, Military and Veterans Programs, Texas Tech
University; Ms. Nicole Meyer, USAF, Student Veteran, Bachelor
of Science in Nursing, Angelo State University, Mr. Ikaika
(Kai) Iuta, USA, Student Veteran, Bachelor of Arts in
Psychology, Texas Tech University; Colonel David J. Lewis, USAF
(Ret.), Director of Veterans Services, StarCare Specialty
Health System. See, ``Best Practices in Veterans Education and
Transition to Civilian Life,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Site Visit--Washington, DC
On November 28, 2017, the Minority Staff Director and the
Professional Staff Member for the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity traveled to the National Capital Region Benefits
Office to conduct an oversight visit on Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment Programs. During the oversight
visit, Subcommittee staff observed an Orientation Session and
intake/counseling sessions for new participants in the program.
Subcommittee staff also met with staff and management to
discuss any challenges that exist with executing the program
and are specific to the National Capital Region. Subcommittee
staff followed this visit up with a strategy call on the
program's future with VA Central Office staff on December 4th.
Oversight Hearing--An Update on the Implementation of the Forever GI
Bill, the Harry W. Colmery Educational Assistance Act of 2017
On December 12, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing
to receive an update from the Department of Veterans Affairs
about the implementation of the Harry W. Colmery Educational
Assistance Act of 2017.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Major General Robert M. Worley II USAF (Ret.), Director,
Education Service, Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Mrs.
Charmain Bogue, Deputy Director, Education Service, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
and Mr. Lloyd Thrower, Acting Information Technology Account
Manager, Benefits Portfolio, Office of Information &
Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. William
Hubbard, Vice President of Government Affairs, Student Veterans
of America; Mrs. Kathleen Moakler, Director, External Relations
and Policy Analysis, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
See, ``An Update on the Implementation of the Forever GI Bill,
the Harry W. Colmery Educational Assistance Act of 2017,''
Serial No. 115-XX.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Second Session
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 1206; H.R. 3023; H.R.
3940; H.R. 4451; H.R. 4830; H.R. 4835; H.R. 5044; and a Draft
Bill Entitled, ``VA Home Loan Improvement Act of 2018.''
On March 20, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session to conduct a legislative hearing on H.R.
1206, Reducing Barriers for Veterans Education Act of 2017;
H.R. 3023, to amend title 38, United States Code, to eliminate
the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay
reporting fees to educational institution; H.R. 3940, Veterans
Education Disaster Assistance Act; H.R. 4451, Homeless
Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2018;
H.R. 4830, SIT-REP Act; H.R. 4835, Job TOOLS for Veterans Act;
H.R. 5044, Service-Disabled Veterans Small Business
Continuation Act; and a draft bill entitled, ``VA Home Loan
Improvement Act of 2018.''
On the first panel, testimony was provided by
Representative Gus Bilirakis of Florida; Representative Brad
Wenstrup of Ohio; Representative Ted Poe of Texas;
Representative Luke Messer of Indiana; and Representative Steve
Russell of Oklahoma.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: MG Robert
M. Worley II, USAF (Ret.), Director, Education Service,
Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs who was accompanied by Mr. Jeffrey London, Director,
Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. John J. Kamin, Assistant
Director, Veterans Employment and Education Division, The
American Legion; Ms. Ashlynne Haycock, Manager, Education
Services, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors; and Mr.
William Hubbard, Vice President of Government Affairs, Student
Veterans of America. See, ``Legislative hearing on: H.R. 1206;
H.R. 3023; H.R. 3940; H.R. 4451; H.R. 4830; H.R. 4835; H.R.
5044; and a draft bill entitled, ``VA Home Loan Improvement Act
of 2018,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Markup--H.R. 1206; H.R. 3023; H.R. 3940; H.R. 4451; H.R. 4830; H.R.
4835; and H.R. 5044
On April 11, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met and marked up: H.R. 1206, the Reducing Barriers for
Veterans Education Act of 2017, introduced by Representative
Luke Messer of Indiana; H.R. 3023, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to eliminate the authority of the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to pay reporting fees to educational
institution, introduced by Representative Steve Russell of
Oklahoma; H.R. 3940, the Veterans Education Disaster Assistance
Act, introduced by Representative Ted Poe; H.R. 4451, the
Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act
of 2018, introduced by Representative Brad Wenstrup of Ohio;
H.R. 4830, the Servicemembers Improved Transition through
Reforms for Ensuring Progress Act introduced by Representative
Gus Bilirakis of Florida; H.R. 4835, Job TOOLS for Veterans
Act, introduced by Representative Elizabeth Etsy of
Connecticut; and H.R. 5044, the Service-Disabled Veterans Small
Business Continuation Act, introduced by Representative Steve
Chabot of Ohio.
On April 11, 2018, an amendment to H.R. 4830 was offered by
Representative Gus Bilirakis of Florida and was adopted by
voice vote. H.R. 4830, as amended, passed the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity by voice vote and was favorably forwarded
to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On April 11, 2018, an amendment to H.R. 4451 was offered by
Representative Brad Wenstrup of Ohio and was adopted by voice
vote. H.R. 4451, as amended, passed the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity by voice vote and was favorably forwarded
to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On April 11, 2018, H.R. 1206, H.R. 3023, H.R. 3940, H.R.
4835, and H.R. 5044 were considered by the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity en bloc. H.R. 1206, H.R. 3023, H.R. 3940,
H.R. 4835, and H.R. 5044 passed the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity by voice vote and were favorably forwarded to the
Full Committee by voice vote.
Legislative Hearing--A Legislative Hearing on the Following Bills: H.R.
2409; H.R. 5452; H.R. 5538; H.R. 5644; H.R. 5649; and H.R. 5882
On May 23, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session to conduct a legislative hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 2409, to Allow Servicemembers to
Terminate Their Cable, Satellite Television, and Internet
Access Service Contracts While Deployed; H.R. 5452, Reduce
Unemployment for Veterans of All Ages Act of 2018; H.R. 5538,
to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the
inclusion of certain additional periods of active duty service
for purposes of suspending charges to veterans' entitlement to
educational assistance under the laws administered by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs during periods of suspended
participation in vocational rehabilitation programs; H.R. 5644,
VET OPP Act; H.R. 5649, Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William
``Bill'' Mulder (Ret.) Transition Improvement Act of 2018; and
H.R. 5882, Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief Act.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by:
Representative Julia Brownley of California; Representative
Scott Peters of California; Representative Brad Wenstrup of
Ohio, Representative Cheri Bustos of Illinois; and
Representative Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Ms.
Margarita Devlin, Principal Deputy Undersecretary for Benefits,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. John Kamin, Assistant Director, Veterans
Employment and Education Division, The American Legion; Ms.
Lauren Augustine, Vice President of Government Affairs, Student
Veterans of America; and Ms. Rebecca Burgess, Program Manager,
Program on American Citizenship, American Enterprise Institute.
See, ``A legislative hearing on: H.R. 2409; H.R. 5452; H.R.
5538; H.R. 5644; H.R. 5649; and H.R. 5882,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Markup--H.R. 282, H.R. 1690, and H.R. 2772
On July 12, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met and marked up: H.R. 282, the ``Military Residency Choice
Act,'' introduced by Representative Elise Stefanik of New York;
H.R. 1690, the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus
Transparency Act,'' introduced by Representative Claudia Tenney
of New York; and H.R. 2772, the ``VA Senior Executive
Accountability Act or the `SEA Act,''' introduced by
Representative Scott Taylor of Virginia.
On July 12, 2017, an amendment to H.R. 1690 was offered by
Representative Beto O'Rourke of Texas and was adopted by voice
vote. H.R. 1690, as amended, passed the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity by voice vote and was favorably forwarded
to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On July 12, 2017, H.R. 282 and H.R. 2772 were considered by
the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity en bloc. H.R. 282 and
H.R. 2772 passed the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity by
voice vote and were favorably forwarded to the Full Committee
by voice vote.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Site Visit--Student Veterans of America National Convention, San
Antonio, TX
On January 4-7, 2018, the Majority Staff Director and the
Professional Staff Member for the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity travelled to San Antonio, TX to conduct oversight
of the Department of Veterans Affairs' education programs and
to participate on the legislative panel at the Student Veterans
of America annual conference.
Oversight Hearing--Home Loan Churning Practices and How Veteran
Homebuyers Are Being Affected
On January 10, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing
on the churning of refinanced VA loans and the impact this
practice was having on veteran homebuyers and housing market.
Testimony was provided by: Mr. Jeffrey London, Director,
Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by: Mr. John
Bell, Deputy Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Michael R. Bright, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, Government National Mortgage Association; Mr. J. David
Motley, CMB, President, Colonial Savings, F.A. on behalf of the
Mortgage Bankers Association; Mr. Brock Cooper, General
Counsel, Veterans United Home Loans. See, ``Home Loan Churning
Practices and How Veteran Homebuyers are being affected,''
Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--Addressing Veteran Homelessness: Current Position;
Future Course
On January 18, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity and the Subcommittee on Health met in open session
to conduct a joint oversight hearing of programs of the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Labor
(DoL) that assist homeless veterans with a focus on program
effectiveness and costs.
On the first panel testimony was provided by: Mr. John F.
Clancy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tristate
Veterans Community Alliance; Ms. Angela F. Williams, President
and Chief Executive Officer, Easterseals, Inc.; Mr. Stephen
Peck, President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. VETS; Mr.
John W. Martin, Development Director, the Opportunity Center;
and Ms. Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer, National
Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
On the second panel testimony was provided by: Mr. Matt
Miller, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and
Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor; Ms. Dominique Blom,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Public and Indian
Housing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
Dr. Thomas Lynch M.D., Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Clinical Operations, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs who was Dr. Keith W. Harris
Ph.D., Director of Clinical Operations, Homeless Programs
Office, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See, ``Addressing Veteran Homelessness:
Current Position; Future Course,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Roundtable Discussion--Examine the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
and a Servicemember's Transition Into Civilian Life
On January 30, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity held a roundtable to review the TAP program.
Participants included the military services, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department
of Labor, and representatives from several veteran service
organizations.
Roundtable Discussion--Examine a Servicemember's Transition Into
Civilian Life
On February 6, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity held a roundtable to examine and programs of
services provided by community service organizations that help
servicemembers transition to civilian life.
Oversight Hearing--U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2019
Budget: Veterans Benefits Administration and the Board of
Veterans' Appeals
On March 15, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
and the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs met in open session to conduct a joint oversight
hearing of Fiscal Year 2019 budget request for the Veterans
Benefit Administration and the Board of Veterans Appeals.
Testimony was provided by: the Honorable Cheryl L. Mason,
Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by: Mr. James E. Manker,
Jr., Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs and Mr. Lloyd Thrower, Deputy Chief Information
Officer, Account Manager for Benefits, Office of Information
and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Matthew Shuman, Director, Legislative Division, The American
Legion; Mr. Shane L. Liermann, Assistant National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; and Ms. Lauren Augustine,
Director of Policy, Student Veterans of America. See, ``U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2019 Budget:
Veterans Benefits Administration and the Board of Veterans'
Appeals,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Site Visit--Midwestern Education Compact Conference, Chicago, IL
On May 3-4, 2018, the Majority Staff Director for the
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity travelled to Chicago, IL
to conduct oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs'
education programs and to participate on the legislative panel
at the Midwestern Education Compact annual conference.
Oversight Hearing--A Review of VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment Program
On May 17, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing of the
Department of Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment (VR&E) program. The subcommittee focused on
implementation of the new case management system for VR&E
claims which had not been completed.
Testimony was provided by: Mr. Jack Kammerer, Director,
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
who was accompanied by: Mr. Lloyd Thrower, Deputy Chief
Information Officer, Account Manager for Benefits, Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Heather Ansley, Esq., MSW, Acting Associate
Executive Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans
of America; Ms. Cassandra Vangellow, Esq., Legal and Policy
Fellow, Student Veterans of America; and Mr. Shane L. Liermann,
Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans. See, ``Assessing VA Approved Appraisers and How to
Improve the Program for the 21st Century,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--Hiring and Retaining Veterans for the Modern Day
Workforce
On June 26, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing to examine
the hiring and retention of veterans by American companies.
Testimony was provided by: Ms. Elizabeth O'Brien, Senior
Director of Military Spouse Programs, Hiring Our Heroes, U.S.
Chamber of Commerce Foundation; Brigadier General Gary M.
Profit USA (Ret.), Senior Director, Military Programs, Walmart;
Mr. Matt Kress, Manager, Veterans and Military Affairs,
Starbucks Coffee Company; Mr. Charles J. Sevola Jr., Vice
President, Head of Veterans Initiatives, Prudential Financial;
Mr. Robert Douthit, Senior Director, Americas Customer
Solutions Centers, Dell EMC. See, ``Hiring and Retaining
Veterans for the Modern Day Workforce,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--An Update on the Implementation of the Forever GI
Bill: Is VA Ready for August 1st
On July 18, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing on the
implementation of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational
Assistance Act of 2017. During the hearing, the subcommittee
focused on VA's efforts to improve IT systems to be able to
adjudicate education claims electronically.
Testimony was provided by: Major General Robert M. Worley
II USAF (Ret.), Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefit
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who was
accompanied by Mr. Lloyd Thrower, Deputy Chief Information
Officer, Benefits Portfolio, Office of Information &
Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans, Mrs. Charmain Bogue,
Deputy Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Daniel
McCune, Executive Director, Enterprise Portfolio Management
Division, Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs. See, ``An Update on the Implementation of
the Forever GI Bill: Is VA Ready for August 1st,'' Serial No.
115-XX.
Site Visit--Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Training
Conference, Detroit, MI
On August 8, 2018, the Majority and Minority Staff
Directors for the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
travelled to Detroit, MI to conduct oversight of the Department
of Veterans Affairs' vocational rehabilitation and employment
program and to participate on the legislative panel at the
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment training conference.
Oversight Hearing--A Review of VA's Specially Adaptive Housing Grant
Programs (SAH)
On September 6, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing
on the performance of the specially adaptive housing grant
program.
Testimony was provided by: Mr. Jeffrey London, Director,
Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Brigadier General Tom
Landwermeyer, USA (Ret.), President and Chief Executive
Officer, Homes For Our Troops, Inc.; Mr. Steven Henry,
Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America;
and Mr. Ryan Kules, Director of Combat Stress and Recovery,
Wounded Warrior Project. See, ``A Review of VA's Specially
Adaptive Housing Grant Programs (SAH),'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Site Visit--Regional Processing Office, Muskogee, OK
On October 24-25, 2018, the Majority and Minority Staff
Director for the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity and
Legislative Assistant for the Full Committee travelled to
Muskogee, OK to conduct oversight of the processing of Post-9/
11 GI Bill claims and associated delays that occurred during
the fall semester of 2018.
Oversight Hearing--A Continued Review of GI Bill Payment Delays
On November 15, 2018, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing
on the implementation of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans
Educational Assistance Act of 2017 and associated payment
delays.
Testimony was provided by: The Honorable Paul R. Lawrence
Ph.D., Undersecretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefit
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who was
accompanied by: Major General Robert M. Worley II USAF (Ret.),
Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefit Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Bill James, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Development and Operations, Office of
Information & Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
and Mr. John J. ``Jack'' Galvin, Associate Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Information Technology Operations and Services
Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. Testimony was also provided by Mr. Richard
Crowe, Senior Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton. See, ``A
Continued Review of GI Bill Payment Delays,'' Serial No. 115-
XX.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT & INVESTIGATIONS
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
First Session
Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on H.R. 2006; H.R. 2749; H.R.
2781; and, a Draft Bill, to Improve the Hiring, Training, and
Efficiency of Acquisition Personnel and Organizations of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for Other Purposes
On June 29, 2017, the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations met in open session to conduct a legislative
hearing on H.R. 2006, the VA Procurement Efficiency and
Transparency Act; H.R. 2749, the Protecting Business
Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2017; H.R. 2781, the Ensuring
Veteran Enterprise Participation in Strategic Sourcing Act; and
a draft bill to improve the hiring, training, and efficiency of
acquisition personnel and organizations of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Testimony was provided by Thomas Burgess, Associate Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Office of Logistics and Supply Chain
Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, accompanied by
Thomas Leney, Executive Director, Small and Veteran Business
Programs, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization, Department of Veterans Affairs; Kaitlin Gray,
Assistant Director, National Veterans Employment and Education
Division, The American Legion; Patrick Murray, Associate
Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign
Wars; and Wayne Simpson, Member, National Veterans Small
Business Coalition. A statement for the record was provided by
Associated General Contractors of America. See ``Legislative
Hearing on H.R. 2006, H.R. 2749, H.R. 2781, and, a draft bill,
to improve the hiring, training, and efficiency of acquisition
personnel and organizations of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Markup--Markup of H.R. 2006, H.R. 2749, H.R. 2781, and H.R. 3169
On July 12, 2017, the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations met in open session and marked up H.R. 2006, the
VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act; H.R. 2749, the
Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2017;
H.R. 2781, the Ensuring Veteran Enterprise Participation in
Strategic Sourcing Act; and H.R. 3169, the VA Acquisition
Workforce Improvement and Streamlining Act.
H.R. 2006, H.R. 2749, H.R. 2781, and H.R. 3169 were each
favorably reported to the full committee, without amendment, by
voice vote.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
First Session
Site Visit--Memphis, Tennessee
On January 30-February 2, 2017, Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and the
Subcommittee on Health traveled to the Memphis VA Medical
Center to examine areas including human resources, union
relations, quality management, and credentialing and
privileging issues.
Site Visit--Cincinnati, Ohio
On February 8-10, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations traveled to the Cincinnati VA
Medical Center to investigate the facility's utilization of its
nonprofit corporation and management of its research program,
as well as the nature of the facility's affiliation with the
University of Cincinnati. The Subcommittee also examined the
medical center's human resources, controlled substances,
sterilization, transplant, mental health, and consult
management departments.
Oversight Hearing--Assessing VA's Risks for Drug Diversion
On February 27, 2017, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing to address oversight of
controlled substances and Drug Free Workplace programs at
Department of Veterans' Affairs medical centers.
Testimony was provided by Carolyn Clancy, M.D., Deputy
Under Secretary for Health for Organizational Excellence,
Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs,
accompanied by Michael A. Valentino, R.Ph., MHSA, Chief
Consultant, Pharmacy Benefits Management Services, Veterans
Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Nick
Dahl, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits and
Evaluations, Office of Inspector General, Department of
Veterans Affairs, accompanied by Emorfia Valkanos, R.Ph.,
Health Systems Specialist, Office of Healthcare Inspections,
Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs;
Randall B. Williamson, Director, Healthcare Team, Government
Accountability Office; and Keith Berge, M.D., Consultant in
Anesthesiology and Chair, Mayo Clinic Enterprise-wide
Medication Diversion Prevention Committee. A statement for the
record was provided by the American Society of
Anesthesiologists. See, ``Assessing VA's Risks for Drug
Diversion,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Site Visit--Cleveland, Ohio
On March 12-14, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations and the Subcommittee on Health
traveled to the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center to
investigate the medical center's management of its research
program and utilization of its nonprofit corporation, as well
as the nature of its relationship with its academic affiliates.
Staff also assessed the medical center's controlled substances
and pain management departments, as well as the facility's
intermediate care technician program.
Site Visit--Richmond, Virginia
On March 23, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations and the Subcommittee on Health
traveled to the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in
Richmond, Virginia to investigate the medical center's
transplant program and its affiliation with Virginia
Commonwealth University.
Site Visit--Washington, DC
On April 12, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations traveled to the Washington, DC VA
Medical Center to continue investigating the medical center's
management of logistics and physical infrastructure, as well as
ongoing concerns with the medical center's general operations.
Site Visit--Washington, DC
On May 4, 2017, Representative Tim Walz, Representative Ann
McLane Kuster, Representative Mark Takano, Representative Gerry
Connolly, and minority staff for the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs traveled to the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center to
investigate allegations of logistics and supply mismanagement,
and patient care delays.
Site Visit--Boston, Massachusetts
On April 26-28, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations and the Subcommittee on Health
traveled to the VA Boston Healthcare System to investigate the
medical center's management of its research program, as well as
the utilization of its nonprofit corporation and the nature of
the medical center's relationships with academic affiliates
Boston University and Harvard University. Staff also evaluated
the facility's pharmacy and pain management departments.
Site Visit--Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
On May 8-10, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations traveled to the VA Pittsburgh
Healthcare System to investigate the medical center's
management of its physical infrastructure, as well as the
nature of the facility's affiliation with the University of
Pittsburgh and the management of its transplant program. Staff
also assessed the medical center's community care, pharmacy,
pain management, mental health, human resources, research, and
logistics departments.
Oversight Hearing--VA Financial Management
On May 24, 2017, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing to evaluate VA financial
management policies and practices.
Testimony was provided by Laurie Park, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Finance, Office of Management, Department of
Veterans Affairs, accompanied by Mitchel Sturm, Acting Deputy
Chief Financial Officer, Veterans Benefits Administration;
Beryl Davis, Director, Financial Management and Assurance,
Government Accountability Office; Nick Dahl, Deputy Assistant
Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations, Office of
Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs, accompanied
by Sue Schwendiman, Director, Financial Audit Division, Office
of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Julie
Larsen, Team Leader, Pension Maintenance Center and Debt
Management, The American Legion. See, ``VA Financial
Management,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Oversight Hearing--VA and Academic Affiliates: Who's Benefiting Now?
On June 8, 2017, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing to address time spent by VA
physicians between the department and its academic affiliates
and to discuss the role and utilization of VA nonprofit
corporations.
Testimony was provided by Carolyn Clancy, M.D., Deputy
Under Secretary for Health for Organizational Excellence,
Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs,
accompanied by Rachel Ramoni, M.D., Chief Research and
Development Officer, Veterans Health Administration, Department
of Veterans Affairs, and Karen Sanders, M.D., Deputy Chief
Academic Affairs Officer, Veterans Health Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs; Rick Starrs, Chief Executive
Officer, National Association of Veterans Research and
Education Foundations, accompanied by Nancy Watterson-Diorio,
Executive Director, Boston VA Research Institute; and
Christopher Colenda, M.D., MPH, President Emeritus, The West
Virginia University Health System and Senior Advisor, Veterans
Affairs Association of American Medical Colleges. A statement
for the record was provided by Christian Kreipke, Ph.D. See,
``VA and Academic Affiliates: Who's Benefiting Now?,'' Serial
No. 115-57.
Site Visit--Spokane, Washington
On June 26-29, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations traveled to the Mann-Grandstaff VA
Medical Center in Spokane, Washington to investigate concerns
regarding the medical center's general management, patient
satisfaction with their experience at the facility. Other areas
of concern included human resources, construction and
contracting management, capital asset management, and the
emergency medicine department.
Joint Oversight Hearing--Joint Subcommittee Hearing of the Subcommittee
on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations--Examining VA's Processing of
Gulf War Illness Claims
On July 13, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs and the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a joint hearing to review VA's handling of
disability claims by veterans who may have developed medical
conditions related to their service in the Southwest Asia
theater of operations.
Testimony was provided by Bradley Flohr, Senior Advisor,
Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs, accompanied by Patrick Joyce,
M.D., MPH, Chief, Occupational Health Clinics, Washington VA
Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs; Melissa Emrey-
Arras, Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security,
Government Accountability Office, Zachary Hearn, Deputy
Director for Claims, Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division, The American Legion; Michael Figlioli, Deputy
Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars;
and Anthony Hardie, National Board Chair & Director, Veterans
for Common Sense. Statements for the record were provided by
the National Gulf War Resource Center, Paul Sullivan, Denise
Nichols, and Kirt Love. See, ``Examining VA's Processing of
Gulf War Illness Claims,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Site Visit--Providence, Rhode Island
On July 27, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations traveled to the Providence VA
Medical Center to continue oversight into VA healthcare and
services, specifically academic affiliates, research, VA
nonprofit corporations, the VA graduate medical education
programming, and the Choice program.
Field Hearing--VA Home Telehealth: Looking Behind the Numbers
On August 30, 2017, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a field hearing in Traverse City, Michigan
to examine the planning and management of VA telehealth,
specifically regarding information technology and the home
telehealth program.
Testimony was provided by Kevin Galpin, M.D., Executive
Director, Telehealth Services, Office of Connected Care,
Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs,
accompanied by Alan R. Constantian, Ph.D, Deputy Chief
Information Officer, VHA Account Manager for Clinical
Functions, Office of Information & Technology, Department of
Veterans Affairs, and Pamela J. Reeves, M.D., Director, John D.
Dingell Detroit VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Thomas Wong, D.O., Senior Physician, Office of
Healthcare Inspections, Office of Inspector General, Department
of Veterans Affairs. See, ``VA Home Telehealth: Looking Behind
the Numbers,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Site Visit--Las Vegas, Nevada
On September 11, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations traveled to the VA Southern
Nevada Healthcare System in Las Vegas, Nevada accompanied by VA
staff to assess the facility's management of community care,
telehealth, and challenges relating to a growing patient
population and difficulties recruiting and retaining staff.
Oversight Hearing--VA Mail Management: The Case of the $11,257 Package
On September 12, 2017, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on problems in the Department of
Veterans Affairs' management of its outgoing mail.
Testimony was provided by John Oswalt, Executive Director
for Privacy, Office of Information and Technology, Department
of Veterans Affairs; and Lori Rectanus, Director, Physical
Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office. See,
``VA Mail Management: The Case of the $11,257 Package,'' Serial
No. 115-57.
Site Visit--Manchester, New Hampshire
On September 14-15, 2017, Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations traveled to the
Manchester, NH VA Medical Center to examine issues including
operating room cleanliness, sterile processing of reusable
medical equipment, drug diversion, and facilities management.
Field Hearing--an Assessment of Leadership Failures at the Manchester,
NH VA Medical Center
On September 18, 2017, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a field hearing in Pembroke, New Hampshire
to address leadership deficiencies at the VA New England
Healthcare System and the Manchester, New Hampshire VA Medical
Center.
Testimony was provided by Carolyn Clancy, M.D., Deputy
Under Secretary for Health for Organizational Excellence,
Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs,
accompanied by Michael Mayo-Smith, M.D., M.P.H., Director, VA
New England Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs,
and Alfred Montoya, Jr., Acting Director, Manchester, NH VA
Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs; William E.
Kois, M.D., Pain Management Specialist, Manchester, NH VA
Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs; and David J.
Kenney; Chairman, New Hampshire State Veterans Advisory
Committee. Statements for the record were provided by several
whistleblowers from the Manchester, NH VA Medical Center. See,
``An Assessment of Leadership Failures at the Manchester, NH VA
Medical Center,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Site Visit--Manchester, New Hampshire
On September 18, 2017, Minority staff for the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations traveled to the Manchester, NH
VA Medical Center to examine allegations related to operating
room cleanliness, sterile processing of reusable medical
equipment, drug diversion, facilities management, and minor
construction at the facility.
Site Visit--Clarksburg, West Virginia
On September 20-22, 2017, Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and the
Subcommittee on Health traveled to the Louis A. Johnson VA
Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia to investigate the
operation of the medical center's emergency room, as well as
the management of the Privacy Office. Staff also examined other
areas including controlled substances, mental health, and human
resources, and assessed other ongoing concerns with
construction and contracting management.
Roundtable--Implementation of the Kingdomware Decision in the Veterans
First Contracting Program
On October 11, 2017, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a roundtable discussion on the Veterans
First Contracting Program and the implementation of the
Kingdomware Supreme Court ruling.
The attendees at the roundtable were: Kaitlin Gray,
Assistant Director of Veterans Employment and Education
Division, The American Legion; Jordan Howard, Director of
Federal and Heavy Construction Division, Associated General
Contractors of America; Roger Waldron, President, the Coalition
for Government Procurement; LeRoy Acosta, Assistant National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Lee
Ellingburg, Vice President of Government Business and Strategy,
Philips Healthcare, Member of Medical Imaging and Technology
Alliance; Scott Denniston, Executive Director, National Veteran
Small Business Coalition; David Berteau, President and CEO,
Professional Services Council; Phillip Christy, Acting
Executive Director of Office of Acquisition Operations, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Jan Frye, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Acquisition and Logistics, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Rick Lemmon, Acting Chief Procurement and
Logistics Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Carlos Fuentes, Director of
National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Site Visit--Marion, Illinois
On October 17-19, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations traveled to the Marion,
Illinois VA Medical Center to investigate numerous concerns
regarding its operations and management, including human
resources, physical infrastructure management, radiology,
quality management, and the community living center.
Site Visit--Washington, DC
On November 13, 2017, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations traveled to the Washington, DC
VA Medical Center to investigate concerns in areas including
sterile processing, research, pharmacy, engineering, and
information technology.
Oversight Hearing--Examining VA's Failure To Address Provider Quality
and Safety Concerns
On November 29, 2017, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on the reliability of VA medical
centers' clinical competency reviews and VA's compliance with
reporting clinicians to their respective state licensing boards
and the National Practitioner Data Bank.
Testimony was provided by Gerard R. Cox, M.D., M.H.A.,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Organizational
Excellence, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, accompanied by
Shereef M. Elnahal, M.D., M.B.A., Assistant Deputy Under
Secretary for Health, Quality, Safety, and Value, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Humayun J. Chaudhry, D.O.,
M.S., M.A.C.P., M.A.C.O.I., President and Chief Executive
Officer, Federation of State Medical Boards; and Randall
Williamson, Director, Health Care, U.S. Government
Accountability Office. See, ``Examining VA's Failure to Address
Provider Quality and Safety Concerns,'' Serial No. 115-57.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT & INVESTIGATIONS
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on H.R. 3497; H.R. 4245; a
Draft Bill Regarding Purchase Card Misuse; and, a Draft Bill
Regarding the Medical Surgical Prime Vendor Program
On March 7, 2018, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations met in open session to conduct a legislative
hearing on H.R. 3497, H.R. 4245, a draft bill regarding
purchase card misuse, and a draft bill regarding the Medical
Surgical Prime Vendor program.
Testimony was provided by Fred Mingo, Director of Program
Control, Program Executive Office, Electronic Health Record
Modernization Program, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
accompanied by Ricky Lemmon, Acting Deputy Chief Procurement
Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, John Adams, Director of Corporate Travel,
Office of Management, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and
Katrina Tuisamatatele, Health Portfolio Director, Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Louis Celli, Jr., Director, Veterans Affairs &
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; and, Scott
Denniston, Executive Director, National Veterans Small Business
Coalition. See, ``Legislative hearing on H.R. 3497, H.R. 4245,
a draft bill regarding purchase card misuse, and a draft bill
regarding the medical surgical prime vendor program,'' Serial
No. 115-57.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Site Visit--Denver, Colorado
On January 3-5, 2018, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations traveled to the Denver VA
Medical Center and the replacement medical center construction
project in Aurora, Colorado to investigate concerns in areas
including research, the progress and quality of the
construction project, and the transition plan for transferring
services from the existing facility to the new facility.
Site Visit--Big Spring, Texas
On February 20-23, 2018, Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations traveled to the
Big Spring VA Medical Center to investigate concerns in areas
including primary care, the medical center's affiliations with
academic institutions, staffing, and capital asset management.
Site Visit--Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
On March 27-28, 2018, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations and Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs to the Pittsburgh Regional
Office and National Cemetery of the Alleghenies to investigate
concerns in areas including staffing, records management,
foreign claims and claims management.
On March 29, 2018, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations traveled to VISN 4 in Pittsburgh
to investigate concerns in areas including VISN oversight and
responsibilities, logistics, contracting, human resources,
quality management and patient safety.
Site Visit--Linthicum, Maryland
On April 12, 2018, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations traveled to the Veterans
Integrated Service Network 5 headquarters in Linthicum,
Maryland to investigate concerns in areas including logistics
and supply chain management, staffing, and oversight of the
Washington, DC Medical Center's management of supply chain and
quality care issues.
Site Visit--Washington State
On April 18-19, 2018, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations traveled to the Madigan Army
Medical Center and Bremerton Naval Hospital to review the
implementation challenges experienced by the Department of
Defense's MHS GENESIS electronic health record system.
On April 20, 2018, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations conducted a site visit to the
American Lake VA Medical Center to review infrastructure issues
and the division of labor between that facility and the nearby
Seattle VA Medical Center.
Oversight Hearing--VA Logistics Modernization: Examining the RTLS and
Catamaran Projects
On May 8, 2018, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on two of VA's logistics
modernization projects, the Catamaran inventory system and the
Real Time Location System (RTLS).
Testimony was provided by Tammy Czarnecki, Assistant Deputy
Under Secretary for Health for Administrative Operations,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, accompanied by Alan Constantian, Deputy Chief
Information Officer and Account Manager for Health, Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Nicholas Dahl, Deputy Assistant Inspector General
for Audits and Evaluations, Office of Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, accompanied by Michael Bowman,
Director for Information Technology and Security Audits
Division, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See, ``VA Logistics Modernization: Examining
the RTLS and Catamaran Projects,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Joint Oversight Hearing--Joint Subcommittee Hearing of the Subcommittee
on Health and the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations--VA Research: Focusing on Funding, Findings, and
Partnerships
On May 17, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health and
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on
accountability issues regarding VA partnerships with Nonprofit
Research and Education Corporations, academic affiliates, and
other entities to administer research funding and conduct and
support research efforts; the extent to which VA's research
projects and priorities display a concentrated focus on issues
and conditions that are specific to or prevalent among the
veteran population; and the extent to which VA effectively
translates research findings to clinical settings to benefit
veteran patients.
Testimony was provided by Robin L. Rusconi J.D., Chair,
Board of Directors, National Association of Veterans' Research
& Education Foundations; Paul Klotman M.D., President, Chief
Executive Officer, and Executive Dean, Baylor College of
Medicine, on behalf of Association of American Medical
Colleges; Carolyn Clancy M.D., Executive in Charge, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
accompanied by Rachel B. Ramoni D.M.D., Sc.D., Chief Research
and Development Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``VA Research: Focusing on
Funding, Findings, and Partnerships,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Site Visit--Spokane, Washington
On May 29-31, 2018, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations and Subcommittee on Health
traveled to the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center to assess
that facility's progress in improving its graduate medical
education program.
Joint Oversight Hearing--Joint Subcommittee Hearing of the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations and the Committee on Small
Business Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations--
Achieving Government-Wide Verification of Service Disabled
Veteran Owned Small Businesses
On July 17, 2018, the Committee on Small Business
Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations and
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations held a hearing to examine the progress of VA
and the Small Business Administration (SBA) in harmonizing
definitions and regulations related to service-disabled
veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) and SBA's readiness to
assume the remaining verification functions and the benefits of
extending verification of SDVOSBs government-wide.
Testimony was provided by Thomas Leney, Executive Director,
Small and Veteran Business Programs, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Robb Wong, Associate Administrator, Office of
Government Contracting and Business Development, U.S. Small
Business Administration, accompanied by William Gould, Office
of Government Contracting & Business Development, U.S. Small
Business Administration; and Davy Leghorn, Assistant Director,
Veterans Employment and Education Division, The American
Legion. See, ``Achieving Government-wide Verification of
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses,'' Serial No.
115-57.
Roundtable--Roundtable Discussion on Improving the Delivery of Health
Care to Veterans in Rural Areas
On August 9, 2018, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a roundtable discussion on ways VA and
community health care providers can increase their coordination
to improve community care, rural health, training opportunities
for clinicians, and resource sharing.
The attendees at the roundtable were: Carolyn Clancy, MD,
Deputy Undersecretary for Discovery, Education & Affiliated
Networks, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Thomas Klobucar,
PhD, Acting Executive Director, Office of Rural Health, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Kathleen Klink, MD, FAAP,
Acting Deputy Chief Officer, Office of Academic Affiliations,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Edward T. Bope, MD,
Director, Graduate Medical Education Expansion, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Kenneth Jones, PhD, Acting Chief, Health
Professions Education and Director, Associated Health
Education, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; James W. Rice,
Director, Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center; Marie A. DeWitt,
MD; Chief of Staff, Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center; Andrea
Collins, MSN, RN, Associate Director for Patient Care Services,
Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center; Sarah Buckley, RN, BSN,
Community Care/Home & Community Based Care Director, Oscar G.
Johnson VA Medical Center; Renee Oshinski, Network Director,
Veterans Integrated Service Network 12; Scott Pawlikowski, MD,
Deputy Chief Medical Officer--Primary Care Lead, Veterans
Integrated Service Network 12; Stuart K. Johnson, DO, FAAFP,
Community Assistant Dean, Michigan State University College of
Human Medicine--Upper Peninsula Campus; Jerry O. Kooiman, MPA,
Assistant Dean, External Relations, Michigan State University
College of Human Medicine; Lisa Grill Dodson, MD, Campus Dean--
Central Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin; Laura L.
Coleman, PhD, President, Bay College; Matt Barron, Vice
President of Academic Affairs, Bay College; Gina Wollner,
Manager of Business Development & Community Engagement, Bay
College--West Campus; Wael Khouli, MD, Chief Medical Officer,
UP Health System--Marquette; John J. Schon, MPA, Administrator
& CEO, Dickinson County Healthcare System; Floyd Lindholm,
Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50, Upper Peninsula
Association of American Legion Posts; Frank Lombard, Upper
Peninsula Regional Coordinator, Michigan Veterans Affairs
Agency & Michigan Association of Counties; Dennis Olson,
President, Dickinson County Veterans Affairs Committee; Craig
Salo, Service Officer, Marquette County Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Joe Stevens, Commissioner, District 1, Dickinson
County Board of Commissioners.
Oversight Hearing--Reusable Medical Equipment: Continuing to Examine
VHA's Sterile Processing Problems
On September 5, 2018, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on issues with sterile processing
of reusable medical equipment (RME) within the Veterans Health
Administration.
Testimony was provided by Teresa D. Boyd, D.O., Assistant
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Operations, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, accompanied by Beth Taylor,
D.H.A., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C., Deputy Assistant Deputy Under
Secretary for Health for Clinical Operations, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Sharon Silas, Acting Director, Health
Care, U.S. Government Accountability Office; and John Daigh,
M.D., Assistant Inspector General for Healthcare Inspections,
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See, ``Reusable Medical Equipment: Continuing to
Examine VHA's Sterile Processing Problems,'' Serial No. 115-57.
Site Visit--Bay Pines and Tampa, Florida
On October 29-November 1, 2018, Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations traveled to the CW
Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, Florida and the
James A Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Staff
assessed the facilities' effectiveness in areas such as mental
health and suicide prevention, polytrauma services, and
radiology.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AND MEMORIAL
AFFAIRS
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
First Session
Legislative Hearing--H.R. 105, H.R. 299, H.R. 1328, H.R. 1329, H.R.
1390, H.R. 1564, and a Draft Bill Entitled ``Quicker Veterans
Benefits Delivery Act of 2017.''
On April 5, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs met in open session and held a legislative
hearing on H.R. 105, the Protect Veterans from Financial Fraud
Act of 2017; H.R. 299, the Blue Water Vietnam Veterans Act of
2017; H.R. 1328, the American Heroes COLA Act of 2017; H.R.
1329, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act
of 2017; H.R. 1390, To amend title 38, United States Code, to
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay costs
relating to the transportation of certain deceased veterans to
veterans' cemeteries owned by a State or tribal organization;
H.R. 1564, the VA Beneficiary Travel Act of 2017; and a draft
bill entitled ``Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2017.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by
Representative Mike Bost of Illinois; Representative Julia
Brownley of California; Representative Jim Banks of Indiana;
Representative Jack Bergman of Michigan; and Representative
David G. Valadao of California.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Ms. Beth
Murphy, Director, Compensation Services, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Murphy
was accompanied by Dr. Ralph L. Erickson, Chief Consultant for
Post Deployment Health Service, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Patricia Watts,
Director, Legislative and Regulatory Service, National
Cemeteries Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Zachary
Hearn, Deputy Director, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division, The American Legion; Mr. Rick Wiedman, Executive
Director, Policy and Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of
America; Mr. Patrick Murray, Associate Director, National
Legislative Service; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Leroy
Acosta, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
Veterans of America; and Mr. John B. Wells, Executive Director,
Military-Veterans Advocacy, Inc.
A statement for the record was provided by Representative
Timothy J. Walz of Minnesota; and the Paralyzed Veterans of
America. See, ``H.R. 105, H.R. 299, H.R. 1328, H.R. 1329, H.R.
1390, H.R. 1564, and a Draft Bill Entitled ``Quicker Veterans
Benefits Delivery Act of 2017.'' Serial No. 115-11.
Markup--H.R. 105, H.R. 1328, H.R. 1329, H.R. 1390, H.R. 1564, and H.R.
1725
On April 27, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs met in open session to markup
H.R. 1329, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Act of 2017, introduced by Representative Mike Bost of Illinois
; H.R. 1390, to amend title 38, United States Code, to
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay costs
relating to the transportation of certain deceased veterans to
veterans' cemeteries owned by a State or tribal organization,
introduced by Representative Jim Banks of Indiana; H.R. 1725,
the Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2017, introduced
by Representative Timothy J. Walz of Minnesota; H.R. 105, the
Protect Veterans from Financial Fraud Act of 2017, introduced
by Representative Julia Brownley of California; H.R. 1328, the
American Heroes COLA Act of 2017, introduced by Representative
Mike Bost of Illinois; and H.R. 1564, the VA Beneficiary Travel
Act of 2017, introduced by Representative Jack Bergman of
Michigan.
On April 27, 2017, an amendment to H.R. 1329 was offered by
Representative Mike Bost of Illinois and was adopted by voice
vote. H.R. 1329, as amended, passed the DAMA Subcommittee by
voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by
voice vote.
On April 27, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1390 was offered by Representative Jim Banks
of Indiana. H.R. 1390, as amended, passed the DAMA Subcommittee
by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full Committee
by voice vote.
On April 27, 2017, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1725 was offered by Representative Elizabeth
Esty of Connecticut. H.R. 1725, as amended, passed the DAMA
Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the
Full Committee by voice vote.
On April 27, 2017, H.R. 105, introduced by Representative
Julia Brownley of California; H.R. 1328, introduced by
Representative Mike Bost of Illinois; and H.R. 1564, introduced
by Representative Jack Bergman of Michigan were considered en
bloc, passed the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote, and were
favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
Legislative Hearing--H.R. 1721, H.R. 1900, H.R. 3122, H.R. 3656, H.R.
3657, and a Draft Bill Entitled ``Veterans Fair Debt Notice Act
of 2017.''
On September 13, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs met in open session and held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 1721, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to designate at least one city in the United
States each year as an ``American World War II City'', and for
other purposes; H.R. 1900, the National Veterans Memorial and
Museum Act; H.R. 3122, the Veterans Care Financial Protection
Act of 2017; H.R. 3656, to establish a consistent applicability
date for provision of memorial headstones and markers for
eligible non-veteran individuals; H.R. 3657, to expand
authority to provide headstones and markers to eligible spouses
and dependents in tribal veterans cemeteries; and a draft bill
entitled ``Veterans Fair Debt Notice Act of 2017.''
On the first panel, testimony was provided by
Representative David Rouzer of North Carolina; Representative
Steve Stivers of Ohio; Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio;
Representative Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania; Representative
Jim Banks of Indiana; and Representative Chellie Pingree of
Maine.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Ms.
Elizabeth H. Curda, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income
Security Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office; and Mr.
Matthew T. Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and
Planning and Chief Financial Officer, National Cemetery
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Sullivan was accompanied by Ms. Roberta Lowe, Director, Office
of Internal Controls, Acting Director, Debt Management Center,
Office of Management, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Ms. Cheryl Rawls, Director, Pension & Fiduciary Service,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Alex
Zhang, Assistant Director, National Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr. LeRoy Acosta,
Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Mr. Blake C. Ortner, Deputy Government Relations
Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Ms. Kathleen Moakler,
Director, Survivor Advocacy, Tragedy Assistance Program for
Survivors; and Mr. John Towles, Deputy Director, National
Legislative Service; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Serial No. 115-
29.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
First Session
Site Visit--Baltimore, Maryland
On January 26, 2017, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted an
oversight visit to the Baltimore Regional Office.
Oversight Hearing--Exploring National Work Queue's Impact on Claims
Processing
On February 14, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to explore
National Work Queue's impact on claims processing.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Thomas J.
Murphy, Acting Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Murphy
was accompanied by Mr. Willie C. Clark, Sr., Deputy Under
Secretary for Field Operations, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr.
Ronald S. Burke, Jr., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for
Field Operations, National Work Queue, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Zachary
Hearn, Deputy Director, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division, The American Legion; Mr. Ryan M. Gallucci, Deputy
Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars;
and Ms. Kelsey Yoon, Director, Veterans Benefits, Vietnam
Veterans of America. Serial No. 115-2.
Site Visit--Montgomery, Alabama
On February 21-23, 2017, Majority staff of the Subcommittee
on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted
oversight at the Montgomery Regional Office. Additionally,
staff conducted case file review of veterans' claims.
Roundtable Discussion--Appeals
On March, 28, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a bipartisan roundtable
discussion on the topic of veterans' appeals hosted by DAMA
Chairman Mike Bost and DAMA Ranking Member Elizabeth Esty.
Attendance included Members of the Majority and Minority of the
Subcommittee, Mr. David R. McLenachen, Director, Appeals
Management Center, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. David C. Spickler,
Executive in Charge/Acting Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans'
Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Cheryl L.
Mason, Interim Principal Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of
Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Donnie Hachey, Chief Counsel for Operations, Board of Veterans'
Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. James
Ridgway, Chief Counsel for Strategy, Innovation, and Program,
Board of Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Patrick Littlefield, Executive Director, VA Center
for Innovation, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Daniel
Bertoni, Managing Director, Physical Infrastructure, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; Ms. Melissa Jaynes, Analyst-
in-Charge for GAO report, U.S. Government Accountability
Office; Mr. Mark Bird, Assistant Director, Information
Technology, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Mr. Louis J.
Celli, Director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division, The American Legion; Mr. Jim Marszalek, National
Services Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Aniela
Szymanski, Government Relations Director for Veterans Benefits,
Military Officers Association of America; Mr. Ed Zackery,
President, National Association of County Veterans Service
Officers; Mr. Randy Reeves, President, National Association of
State Directors of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Diane Boyd Rauber,
Executive Director, National Organization of Veterans'
Advocates; Mr. Ron Abrams, Joint Executive Director, National
Veterans Legal Services Program; Mr. Gabriel Stultz,
Legislative Counsel, Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans
of America; Ms. Lauren Barefoot, Manager of Training & Quality
Assurance, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars;
and Ms. Kelsey Yoon, Director, Veterans Benefits, Vietnam
Veterans of America.
Site Visit--Albuquerque, New Mexico
On May 8-12, 2017, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted oversight
at the Albuquerque Regional Office and Santa Fe National
Cemetery. Additionally, staff conducted case file review of
veterans' claims.
Oversight Hearing--Examining VA'S Processing of Gulf War Illness Claims
On July 13, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs and the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing to examine VA's processing of
Gulf War Illness Claims.
Testimony was provided by Ms. Melissa Emrey-Arras,
Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; Mr. Zachary Hearn, Deputy
Director for Claims, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division, The American Legion; Mr. Michael S. Figlioli, Deputy
Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars;
Mr. Anthony Hardie, National Board Chair & Director, Veterans
for Common Sense; and Mr. Bradley Flohr, Senior Advisor,
Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Flohr was accompanied by
Dr. Patrick Joyce, Chief, Occupational Health Clinics,
Washington VA Medical Center, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
A statement for the record was provided by Mr. Paul
Sullivan, Director of Veteran Outreach, Bergmann & Moore, LLC;
Mr. Kirt Love, Director, Desert Storm Battle Registry; and Mr.
Robert Brown, President, National Gulf War Resource Center.
Serial No. 115-23.
Roundtable Discussion--Disability Examinations
On July, 18, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance an Memorial Affairs a bipartisan roundtable
discussion on the topic of disability examinations, hosted by
DAMA Chairman Bost and DAMA Ranking Member Esty. Attendance
included Members of the Majority and the Minority of the
Subcommittee, Ms. Beth Murphy, Director, Compensation Services,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Mary Glenn, Deputy Director for Contract
Examinations, Compensation Services, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Patricia Murray, Chief Officer, Office of Disability and
Medical Assessment, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Zachary Hearn, Deputy
Director of Claims, National Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr. Leroy Acosta,
Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Mr. Steven Henry, Associate Director of Field
Services, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Brad Hazell,
Assistant Director, Compensation and Pension Policy, Veterans
of Foreign Wars; Ms. Kelsey Yoon, Director, Veterans Benefits,
Vietnam Veterans of America; Mr. Grant Kim, Chief Executive
Officer, QTC Management, Inc.; and Ms. Jessalyn Viera, Chief
Operating Officer, Veterans Evaluation Services, Inc.
Oversight Hearing--PTSD Claims: Assessing Whether VBA Is Effectively
Serving Veterans
On July 25, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to assess whether VBA is
effectively serving veterans that apply for a disability claim
based on PTSD.
Testimony was provided by Mr. Gerardo Avila, Deputy
Director, Medical Evaluation Board, Physical Evaluation Board,
and Department of Defense Correction Board, National Veterans
Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr.
Martin Caraway, Associate Member and National Partner, National
Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs; and Mr.
Ronald S. Burke, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary, Office for
Field Operations, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Burke was accompanied by
Mr. Bradley Flohr Senior Advisor, Compensation Service,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Patricia Murray, Chief Officer, Office of
Disability and Medical Assessment, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr.
Stacey Pollack, National Director, Program Policy
Implementation, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs. Serial No. 115-26.
Site Visit--Waco, Texas
On July 31, 2017, to August 4, 2017, Majority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted oversight at the Waco Regional Office and Dallas-Fort
Worth National Cemetery. Staff also toured the Central Texas
State Veterans Cemetery. Additionally, staff conducted case
file review of veterans' claims.
Site Visit--San Juan, Puerto Rico
On August 16, 2017, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted oversight
at the San Juan Regional Benefits Office and Puerto Rico
National Cemetery. Additionally, staff conducted case file
review of veterans' claims.
Oversight Hearing--Examining How VBA Can Effectively Prevent and Manage
Overpayments
On October 25, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to explore how
the Department is managing overpayments to veterans who receive
disability compensation or pension benefits.
Testimony was provided by Mr. David G. Spivey, Deputy
Director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division, The American Legion; Mr. Shane L. Liermann, Assistant
National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr.
John Towles, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Mr. Willie C. Clark, Sr., Deputy
Under Secretary for Field Operations, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Clark
was accompanied by Ms. Beth Murphy, Director, Compensation
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Roberta Lowe, Acting Director, Debt
Management Center, Office of Management, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See, ``Examining How VBA Can Effectively
Prevent and Manage Overpayments.'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Site Visit--Tijuana, Mexico
On October 5-6, 2017, Representative Mark Takano,
Representative Kathleen Rice, Representative Luis Correa,
Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Representative Norma
Torres, and minority staff for the Subcommittee Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs traveled to Tijuana, Mexico to
meet with U.S. military veterans who have been deported, and to
conduct fact finding on the impediments faced by deported
veterans to accessing their veterans benefits.
Site Visit--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On October 18-20, 2017, Majority staff of the Subcommittee
on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted
oversight at the Philadelphia Regional Office. Additionally,
staff conducted a case file review of a veteran's claim.
Site Visit--Wilmington, Delaware
On October 20, 2017, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted oversight
at the Wilmington Regional Office.
Roundtable Discussion--Appeals Modernization
On November 30, 2017, Majority and Minority Staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs led
a bipartisan roundtable discussion on the topic of appeals
reform. Attendance included Staff of the Majority and Minority
of the Subcommittee, Staff of the Majority and Minority of the
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs; David C. Spickler,
Executive in Charge/Acting Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans'
Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. David R.
McLenachen, Director, Appeals Management Office, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Mr. Lloyd Thrower, Deputy CIO, IT Account Manager for Benefits,
Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Brian Griffin, Deputy Chief Counsel,
Benefits Law Group, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Elizabeth H. Curda, Director,
Education, Workforce, and Income Security, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Mr. Jamie Whitcomb, Senior Analyst,
Education, Workforce, and Income Security, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Mr. David G. Spivey, Deputy Director,
National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The
American Legion; Mr. Duayne Driscoll, Deputy National Service
Director, AMVETS; Mr. Jim Marszalek, National Service Director,
Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Martin Caraway, 1st Vice
President, National Association of County Veterans Service
Officers; Mr. James Prosser, Assistant Secretary for Veterans
Affairs, North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs, National Association of State Directors of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Diane Boyd Rauber, Executive Director, National
Organization of Veterans' Advocates; Mr. Barton F. Stichman,
Joint Executive Director, National Veterans Legal Services
Program; Ms. Aniela Szymanski, Deputy Director for Veterans
Benefits, Government Relations, Military Officers Association
of America; Mr. Jamie Rudert, Associate General Counsel,
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Ryan M. Gallucci, Director,
National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States; Ms. Kelsey Yoon, Director, Veterans Benefits
Program, Vietnam Veterans of America; Mr. Nicholas Holtz,
Digital Services Expert, Appeals Lead, United States Digital
Service; and Mr. Chris Given, Digital Services Expert, Data
Lead, United States Digital Service.
Site Visit--Bethesda, Maryland
On December 4, 2017, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs Chairman Mike Bost led a Congressional
Delegation to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Subcommittee Chairman Mike Bost and Representative Aumua Amata
Coleman Radewagen of American Samoa traveled to Bethesda,
Maryland to conduct oversight of the Walter Reed National
Military Medical Center's Integrated Disability Evaluation
System. Chairman Mike Bost and Representative Aumua Amata
Coleman Radewagen met with service members undergoing the
medical retirement/separation process via the Integrated
Disability Evaluation System. Chairman Bost and Representative
Radewagen also received briefings on the Amputee Patient Care
program and the Service Element Wounded Warrior program.
Additionally, Chairman Mike Bost and Representative Aumua Amata
Coleman Radewagen toured the Military Advanced Training Center,
the Fisher House, and the National Intrepid Center of
Excellence.
Oversight Hearing--Pre-Discharge Claims Programs: Are VA and DOD
Effectively Serving Separating Military Personnel
On December 13, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to explore how
the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are managing
Integrated Disability Evaluation System, Benefits Delivery at
Discharge, and Quick Start claims.
Testimony was provided by Dr. Terry A. Adirim, Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Services Policy and
Oversight, U.S. Department of Defense; Mr. Gerardo Avila,
Deputy Director, Medical Evaluation Board/Physical Evaluation
Board/Department of Defense Correction Board, National Veterans
Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr.
Ryan M. Gallucci, Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans
of Foreign Wars; and Mr. Willie C. Clark, Sr., Deputy Under
Secretary for Field Operations, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Clark
was accompanied by Ms. Beth Murphy, Director, Compensation
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Patricia Murray; Chief Officer,
Office of Disability and Medical Assessment, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See,
``Pre-Discharge Claims Programs: Are VA and DOD Effectively
Serving Separating Military Personnel.'' Serial No. 115-XX.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AND MEMORIAL
AFFAIRS
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Legislative Hearing--H.R. 888, H.R. 4335, H.R. 4910, and H.R. 4958
On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs met in open session and held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 888, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to improve dependency and indemnity compensation
for survivors of certain totally disabled veterans; H.R. 4335,
the Servicemember Family Burial Act; H.R. 4910, the Veterans
Cemetery Benefit Correction Act; and, H.R. 4958, the Veterans'
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2018.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by
Representative Mike Bost of Illinois; Representative J. Luis
Correa of California; and, Representative Austin Scott of
Georgia.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Ms. Cheryl
Rawls, Director, Pension & Fiduciary Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Rawls
was accompanied by Ms. Lisa J. Pozzebon, Executive Director,
Office of Cemetery Operations, National Cemetery
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Additionally, testimony was provided by Mr. Larry L. Lohmann,
Assistant Director, National Legislative Division, The American
Legion; and, Mr. Carlos Fuentes, Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
A statement for the record was provided by Representative
Walter B. Jones of North Carolina; and the National Park
Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. See, ``Legislative
Hearing on H.R. 888, H.R. 4335, H.R. 4910, and H.R. 4958.''
Serial No. 115-XX.
Legislative Hearing--H.R. 4312, H.R. 6409, and H.R. 6420.
On Tuesday, September 5, 2018, the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs met in open session
and held a legislative hearing on H.R. 4312, the Fallen Warrior
Battlefield Cross Memorial Act; H.R. 6409, the Honoring
Veterans' Families Act; and, H.R. 6420, 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.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by
Representative James B. Renacci Ohio; Representative Doug
LaMalfa of California; and, Representative Conor Lamb of
Pennsylvania.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Matthew
T. Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and Planning
and Chief Financial Officer, National Cemetery Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Sullivan was
accompanied by Dr. Bryce A. Carpenter, Program Manager,
Veterans Legacy Program, National Cemetery Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, testimony was
provided by Mr. Greg Nembhard, Assistant Director, Claims
Discharge Upgrade, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division, The American Legion; and, Mr. Carlos Fuentes,
Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign
Wars.
A statement for the record was provided by Disabled
American Veterans. See, ``Legislative Hearing on H.R. 4312,
H.R. 6409, and H.R. 6420.'' Serial No. 115-XX.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Joint Oversight Hearing--U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal
Year 2019 Budget: Veterans Benefits Administration and the
Board of Veterans' Appeals
On Thursday, March 15, 2018, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs and the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity held a hearing to examine the Department
of Veteran Affairs' budget request for Fiscal Year 2019 for the
Veterans Benefits Administration and the Board of Veterans'
Appeals.
Testimony was provided by The Honorable Cheryl L. Mason,
Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Mason was accompanied by Mr. James E.
Manker, Jr., Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for
Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and, Mr. Lloyd Thrower, Deputy Chief
Information Officer, Account Manager for Benefits, Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. Additionally, testimony was provided by Mr. Matthew J.
Shuman, Director, Legislative Division, The American Legion;
Mr. Shane L. Liermann, Assistant National Legislative Director,
Disabled American Veterans; and, Ms. Lauren Augustine, Director
of Policy, Student Veterans of America. See, ``U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2019 Budget: Veterans Benefits
Administration and the Board of Veterans' Appeals.'' Serial No.
115-XX.
Site Visit--Little Rock, Arkansas
On January 30, 2018 to February 2, 2018, Majority staff of
the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted oversight at the Little Rock Regional Office and
Little Rock National Cemetery. Additionally, staff conducted
case file review of veterans' claims.
Site Visit--Atlanta, Georgia
On February 20, 2018, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Majority staff
of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee conducted bicameral
oversight at the Atlanta Regional Office and the Georgia
National Cemetery.
Site Visit--U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims--Washington,
District of Columbia
On March 5, 2018, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs observed the oral
argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
in the case of the Monk v. Shulkin.
Site Visit--Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
On March 27-28, 2018, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Majority staff
of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations conducted
oversight at the Pittsburgh Regional Office and the National
Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Site Visit--Board of Veterans' Appeals--Washington, District of
Columbia
On April 12, 2018, Majority and Minority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and
Majority and Minority staff of the Senate Veterans' Affairs
Committee attended a briefing with the Chairman of the Board of
Veterans' Appeals and an expert from United States Digital
Service on updates to the Department of Veterans Affairs'
website that would better enable veterans to determine the
status of their appeal.
Oversight Hearing--Review of VA's Life Insurance Programs
On Wednesday, April 25, 2018, the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to
explore VA's administration of life insurance programs for
veterans and active duty servicemembers.
Testimony was provided by Mr. Robert Reynolds, Deputy Under
Secretary for Disability Assistance, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Reynolds was accompanied by Mr. Vincent E. Markey, Director,
Insurance Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, testimony was
provided by Mr. Jeff Steele, Assistant Director, National
Legislative Division, The American Legion; and, Mr. Ken
Wiseman, Associate Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars. See, ``Review of VA's Life Insurance
Programs.'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--Honoring Heroes: Memorializing Our Nation's Veterans
On Thursday, June 7, 2018, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to review
cemeteries managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and
the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Testimony was provided by The Honorable Randy C. Reeves,
Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, National Cemetery
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Reeves
was accompanied by Mr. Ronald E. Walters, Principal Deputy
Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, National Cemetery
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Additionally, testimony was provided by The Honorable William
M. Matz, Jr., Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission;
Mr. Gerardo Avila, Deputy Director, Medical Evaluation Board/
Physical Evaluation Board/Department of Defense Correction
Board, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division,
The American Legion; and, Mr. Ken Wiseman, Associate Director,
National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars. See,
``Honoring Heroes: Memorializing Our Nation's Veterans.''
Serial No. 115-XX.
Roundtable--Burn Pits and Potential Toxic Exposures: Establishing Links
to Benefits and Health Care
On Wednesday, July 18, 2018, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs and the Subcommittee on Health
held a bipartisan roundtable discussion to discuss barriers to
health care and benefits through the Department of Veterans
Affairs for veterans who may have been exposed to burn pits
during service in the Armed Forces, hosted by DAMA Chairman
Mike Bost, DAMA Ranking Member Elizabeth Esty, Health Chairman
Neal Dunn, and Health Ranking Member Julia Brownley. Attendance
included House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Phil
Roe; Members of the Majority and Minority of the Subcommittees;
Representative Raul Ruiz of California; Dr. Loren Erickson,
Chief Consultant, Post Deployment Health Services, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Drew Helmer, Director, War Related Illness and Injury Study
Center and Airborne Hazards Center of Excellence, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Vincent Mitchell, Program Analyst, Post-9/11 Era Environmental
Health Program, Post Deployment Health Services, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Beth Murphy, Director, Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Bradley Flohr, Senior Advisor, Director of Compensation
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Carlos Fuentes, Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Thomas
Porter, Legislative Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America; Mr. Derek Fronabarger, Director, Legislative Affairs,
Wounded Warrior Project; Ms. Cathy Wiblemo, Associate Director,
Vietnam Veterans of America; Mr. Tom Berger, Member, Veterans
Health Council, Vietnam Veterans of America; Mr. Roscoe Butler,
Deputy Director for Health Care, The American Legion; Ms. Rene
A. Campos, Senior Director, Government Relations for Veterans-
Wounded Warrior Care, Military Officers Association of America;
Mr. Walter Sweeney, Lead, Toxic Exposure Initiative, Tragedy
Assistance Program for Survivors; Ms. Rosie Torres, Co-founder
and Executive Director, Burn Pits 360; Ms. Lauren Price,
Founder and Managing Director, Veteran Warriors; Ms. Roberta
Wedge, Senior Program Officer, Health and Medicine Division,
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine;
and, Mr. Guy LoFaro, Assistant Director, Defense Capabilities
and Management, Government Accountability Office.
Site Visit--Reno, Nevada and Sacramento, California
On July 30, 2018 to August 3, 2018, Majority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted oversight at the Reno Regional Office and Sacramento
Valley National Cemetery. Additionally, staff conducted case
file review of veterans' claims.
Site Visit--Newark, New Jersey
On August 6-10, 2018, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted oversight
at the Newark Regional Office. Additionally, staff conducted
case file review of veterans' claims.
Site Visit--Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
On August 6, 2018, Minority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted oversight
at the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Regional Benefits Office and
Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Site Visit--Veterans Benefits Administration--Washington, District of
Columbia
On August 27, 2018, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Majority and
Minority staff of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
attended a briefing on VBA's disability contract examination
office.
Site Visit--St. Paul, Minnesota
On August 28-30, 2018, Minority staff of the Subcommittee
on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted
oversight at the St. Paul, Minnesota Regional Benefits Office
and the Ft. Snelling National Veterans Cemetery.
Site Visit--Arlington National Cemetery--Arlington, Virginia
On September 6, 2018, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs attended the
Millennium Expansion Dedication Ceremony.
Site Visit--Boston, Massachusetts
On September 17-21, 2018, Majority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted oversight at the Boston Regional Office.
Additionally, staff conducted case file review of veterans'
claims.
Site Visit--Veterans Benefits Administration--Washington, District of
Columbia
On September 18, 2018, Majority staff of the Subcommittee
on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs attended a
briefing with the Under Secretary for Benefits on the VA's
plans to address issues identified in three recent Office of
Inspector General reports on unwarranted medical reexaminations
for disability benefits, processing inaccuracies involving
veterans' intent to file submissions for benefits, and denied
posttraumatic stress disorder claims related to military sexual
trauma.
Roundtable--Enewetak Atoll Cleanup: Potential Radiation Exposure
On Wednesday, September 26, 2018, the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a bipartisan
roundtable discussion on the Enewetak Atoll cleanup and
potential radiation exposure, hosted by DAMA Chairman Mike Bost
and DAMA Ranking Member Elizabeth Esty. Attendance included
Members of the Majority and Minority of the Subcommittees;
Representative Grace Meng of New York; Representative Madeleine
Z. Bordallo of Guam; Mr. Brian Condon, Assistant Director,
Veterans Programs, Fleet Reserve Association; Mr. Harry B.
Daniel II, Veteran; Mr. John Baenen, Veteran; Mr. Kenneth
Brownell, Veteran; Mr. Keith Kiefer, National Commander,
National Association of Atomic Veterans; Mr. Greg Nembhard,
Deputy Director, Claims Services, The American Legion; Dr.
David A. Butler, Scholar; Director, Office of Military and
Veterans Health, Health and Medicine Division, The National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Dr. Charles
Ferguson, Director, Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board,
Division of Earth and Life Studies, The National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Dr. Michael Kuliasha,
Director, Nuclear Technologies Department, Defense Threat
Reduction Agency, U.S. Department of Defense; Dr. Paul Blake,
Lead, Nuclear Test Personnel Review Program, Defense Threat
Reduction Agency, U.S. Department of Defense; Ms. Beth Murphy,
Director, Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Bradley Flohr, Special Advisor, Compensation Service, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
and, Mr. Carlos Fuentes, Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Site Visit--Denver, Colorado and Colorado Springs, Colorado
On October 15-18, 2018, Majority staff of the Subcommittee
on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted
oversight at the Denver Regional Office, Denver Training
Facility, and Pikes Peak National Cemetery. Additionally, staff
conducted case file review of veterans' claims.
Site Visit--Nashville, Tennessee
On October 24-25, 2018, Minority staff of the Subcommittee
on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted
oversight at the Nashville, Tennessee Regional Benefits Office
and the Nashville National Veterans Cemetery.
Site Visit--Nashville, Tennessee
On October 25-26, 2018, Minority staff of the Subcommittee
on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted
oversight at the Jackson, Mississippi Regional Benefits Office
and the Corinth National Veterans Cemetery.
Site Visit--Board of Veterans' Appeals--Washington, District of
Columbia
On October 26, 2018, Majority and Minority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and
Majority and Minority staff of the Senate Veterans' Affairs
Committee attended a briefing with the Chairman of the Board of
Veterans' Appeals on VA's progress implementing appeals
modernization as well as the status of the Rapid Appeals
Modernization Program.
Oversight Hearing--Exploring VA's Oversight of Contract Disability
Examinations
On Thursday, November 15, 2018, the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to
examine VA's oversight of disability examinations conducted by
contract medical examiners.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Ms.
Margarita Devlin, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for
Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Devlin was accompanied by Ms. Beth
Murphy, Director, Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mary
Glenn, Deputy Director, Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and, Mr.
Phillip W. Christy, Deputy Executive Director, Office of
Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. Additionally, testimony was provided by Ms.
Elizabeth H. Curda, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income
Security Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
A statement for the record was provided by Veterans of
Foreign Wars. See, ``Exploring VA's Oversight of Contract
Disability Examinations.'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--VA's Development and Implementation of Policy
Initiatives
On Thursday, November 29, 2018, the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to
evaluate VA's methods for developing and implementing policy
changes and initiatives to better process claims.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by The Honorable
Paul R. Lawrence, Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Mr. Lawrence was accompanied by Mr. Willie C. Clark, Sr.,
Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and, Ms.
Beth Murphy, Director, Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Additionally, testimony was provided by The Honorable Michael
J. Missal, Inspector General, Office of Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Matthew
J. Shuman, Director, Legislative Division, The American Legion;
Mr. Shane L. Liermann, Assistant National Legislative Director,
Disabled American Veterans; and, Mr. Carlos Fuentes, Director,
National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars. See,
``VA's Development and Implementation of Policy Initiatives.''
Serial No. 115-XX.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION\3\
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\3\The Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, which was
established on July 12, 2018, does not have legislative jurisdiction.
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Second Session
Site Visit--Fort Wayne, Indiana
On August 1-2, 2018, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Technology Modernization traveled to the Fort Wayne VA Medical
Center to collect information on the facility's configuration
and use of the Veterans Health Information Systems and
Technology Architecture (VistA) and Computerized Patient Record
System (CPRS) as well as on the staff's views of such systems
and needs in a forthcoming electronic health record
replacement. Subcommittee Chairman Jim Banks joined the
oversight visit on August 2, 2018.
Site Visit--Seattle, Washington
On August 29-30, 2018, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Technology Modernization and Chairman Jim Banks traveled to
the Seattle VA Medical Center, one of the initial
implementation sites for the Department of Veterans Affairs'
Electronic Health Record Modernization program, to assess the
facility's readiness for the implementation. Staff and Chairman
Banks also travelled to nearby Bremerton Naval Hospital, one of
the Defense Department's initial operating capability sites for
its Military Health System Genesis electronic health record
program, to observe the system post-implementation and gather
lessons learned.
Oversight Hearing--The Role of the Interagency Program Office in VA
Electronic Health Record Modernization
On September 13, 2018, the Subcommittee on Technology
Modernization held a hearing to examine the management
structure of the Electronic Health Record Modernization program
and the suitability and performance of the Interagency Program
Office to serve as the single point of accountability for
efforts to achieve electronic health record interoperability
between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department
of Defense.
Testimony was provided by Dr. Lauren Thompson, Director of
the Interagency Program Office, U.S. Department of Defense,
accompanied by Dr. Helga Rippen, Deputy Director of the
Interagency Program Office, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Mr. John Windom, Acting Chief Health Information
Officer and Program Executive Officer, Office of Electronic
Health Record Modernization, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Ms. Carol Harris, Director of Information
Technology Acquisition Management Issues, U.S. Government
Accountability Office. See, ``The Role of the Interagency
Program Office in VA Electronic Health Record Modernization,''
Serial No. 115-XX.
Oversight Hearing--180-Day Review of the Electronic Health Record
Modernization Program
On November 14, 2018, the Subcommittee on Technology
Modernization held a hearing to examine the Electronic Health
Record Modernization program's activities and accomplishments
throughout its first 180 days, and to review its planned
activities over the course of 2019.
Testimony way provided by Mr. John Windom, Executive
Director, Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, accompanied by Dr. Laura
Kroupa, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Office of Electronic
Health Record Modernization, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, and Mr. John Short, Chief Technology Integration
Officer, Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Travis Dalton,
President of Government Services, Cerner Corporation. See,
``180-Day Review of the Electronic Health Record Modernization
Program,'' Serial No. 115-XX.
Site Visit--Spokane, Washington
On December 2-3, 2018, Majority staff for the Subcommittee
on Technology Modernization and Representative Jack Bergman
traveled to the Spokane VA Medical Center, one of the initial
implementation sites for the Department of Veterans Affairs'
Electronic Health Record Modernization program, to assess the
facility's readiness for the implementation.