Kuster Helps Lead Hearing on New Legislative Initiatives at VA

This week, U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, helped lead a Veterans’ Affairs Oversight and Investigations (O&I) Subcommittee hearing, where the Committee members heard testimony on a number of new VA reform bills. Congresswoman Kuster is the Ranking Member of the O&I Subcommittee, according to a press statement.

The legislation reviewed during this morning’s hearing addresses a number of issues at the VA, including whistleblower protections, cyber security measures, and the cost of a new facility in Aurora, Colorado, among other matters. Kuster questioned witnesses at the VA about the efficacy of the legislation, and in particular, she raised questions about the VA’s ability to build hospitals in a cost-effective and results-oriented manner.

“We must ensure that our veterans can easily access the care they need, and I appreciated the chance to review new legislation during today’s hearing that could help improve services at the VA,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “I believe the VA must approach new projects in the most efficient manner possible, and should work to maximize output while also preventing the waste of taxpayer dollars. The cost overruns being projected at the Aurora VA are truly egregious, and I encourage the VA to continue to look into additional ways to build the Aurora hospital in as quick and cost-effective a manner as possible, while protecting access to care.”

One of the bills discussed during the hearing, H.R. 593, would authorize funding for the reconstruction of a VA hospital in Aurora, Colorado. The hospital was originally estimated to cost $800 million, but the VA is now estimating a total completion cost of $1.7 billion. Congresswoman Kuster urged the VA to investigate ways to cut costs, without reducing access to care, and suggested private partnerships and other initiatives that might ease the cost-burden on the VA and at the same time speed up construction, so veterans can access care at the new facility as quickly as possible.

A strong advocate for victims of military sexual trauma, during the hearing Kuster also highlighted the need to reassess how effectively the VA is protecting whistleblowers to ensure that reports and complaints are handled without repercussion. Last year, Kuster helped pass into law legislation to provide whistleblower protection for military members who report sexual trauma.

Congresswoman Kuster currently serves on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and she helped lead the investigation into mismanagement scandals at VA centers in Phoenix and across the nation last year. Her recent appointment as Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation will allow the Congresswoman to continue to provide increased oversight at the VA to ensure every veteran can easily access the care he or she needs.