Bergman, Chairman Bost & House Republicans Launch a Veteran First Initiative to Modernize VA Healthcare for the 21st Century

Washington - Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich,) joined House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), alongside Subcommittee on Health Chairwoman Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.), and Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-N.C.), in introducing a series of bills as part of the Chairman’s broader reauthorization strategy to soundly reauthorize specific programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - many of which have not been comprehensively reauthorized in 30 years. Specifically, the first series of bills would reauthorize and improve VA healthcare delivery, VA’s national drug formulary, leasing and construction, healthcare research, and the contracting and procurement process. These bills aim to address ongoing issues that have hindered VA healthcare delivery over the years due to excessive bureaucracy and cumbersome processes, which have shifted the focus away from placing Veterans at the center of everything VA does. The four bills that were introduced today as part of the Committee’s broader reauthorization strategy would: Bring VA’s National Drug Formulary in line with healthcare industry standards. Reform VA’s leasing and construction process for new VA facilities. Modernize VA's healthcare research process to better serve Veterans. Reform VA’s contracting and procurement processes. “It’s been more than a quarter century since Congress last updated VA’s procurement and contracting framework – despite the fact that these authorities shape how the Department purchases lifesaving medical technology and manages large-scale services that Veterans rely on every single day. Allowing such outdated practices to persist is not only a disservice to the Veterans we serve, but also undermines Congress’s Article I duty to ensure federal agencies are accountable and responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said General Bergman. “This bill brings VA’s contracting framework into the modern era by improving how medical implants are acquired, streamlining billing for surgical procedures, and requiring congressional authorization before the Department enters into any procurement or contract. These reforms will help ensure VA’s contracting practices put our Veterans first, and I’m proud to lead this long-overdue effort.”