“Eight months after the Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new program to connect veterans with private-sector doctors, the agency doesn’t know how many appointments have been completed or how much it’s costing taxpayers.”
“The VA Mission Act, a bipartisan measure intended to expand veterans’ access to private doctors, was the subject of a congressional hearing Wednesday. Members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee quizzed VA officials for nearly two hours about the program’s cost, use and ongoing implementation.”
“Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said he was frustrated that the VA could not forecast the cost. Congress needs to know its funding requirements, he said, especially since President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for the agency in fiscal 2021 is expected to be unveiled next week.”
“’Eight months into the new community care program, the VA has not provided – or cannot provide – the number of referrals that have become appointments,’ Tester said. ‘And thus, I don’t see how we can figure out how many dollars are associated with those appointments and whether the usage is in line with what you estimated when this program was set up.’”
“Congress provided about $15 billion for community care in the VA’s latest budget. When Tester asked whether that would be enough, Richard Stone, executive in charge of the Veterans Health Administration, replied: ‘I think you asked the key question that keeps me up at night…’” Read the full article here.
Source: Cost, usage of VA Mission Act still uncertain – By Nikki Wentling, February 5, 2020. Stars and Stripes.
