“The priority list for the Department of Veterans Affairs is seemingly never-ending.”
“The department is juggling a massive electronic health record modernization initiative and an overhaul of its financial business management systems.”
“It’s implementing several big pieces of legislation, including an expansion of the program that provides benefits to VA caregivers.”
“And it’s still, of course, grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Dealing with all of those big projects — and responding to the pandemic — are top priorities for Denis McDonough, the president’s pick to lead VA.”
“’Your chief responsibility during this unprecedented time is to save as many lives as possible,’ Jon Tester (D-Mont.), the new chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said Wednesday at the confirmation hearing for McDonough. ‘That includes advocating within the administration for VA’s fair share of vaccines and ensuring timely and efficient deployment of those vaccines. And it includes efforts to ensure frontline workers have everything they need to take care of our sick veterans and protect themselves from coronavirus. How you care for your staff will mean everything…'”
“On multiple occasions, McDonough said he would approach all decisions as secretary by asking two questions: Will it give veterans greater access, and will it ensure better outcomes…?”
“McDonough, who served as the chief of staff to former President Barack Obama, acknowledged he doesn’t have the usual background that most members of Congress and veterans service organizations typically expect of a VA secretary.”
“If he’s confirmed, he’ll be only the second non-veteran — VA Secretary David Shulkin was the first — to lead the department.”
“’I know and understand the federal government, from both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue,’ McDonough said. ‘I can unstick problems inside agencies and across agencies. Especially an agency as large as VA, that’s an important skill, and in fact I’ve spent a lot of time working with many members of this committee on doing just that…'” Read the full article here.
Source: Biden’s choice to lead VA promises to ‘unstick’ agency’s complex challenges – By Nicole Ogrysko, January 28, 2021. Federal News Network.
