Despite adding billions to the federal deficit, a bipartisan $17 billion plan to help reform the VA seems to be on its way to approval this week in the Congress, as key lawmakers vowed on Monday to push the bill through the House and Senate by the end of this week, before the Congress leaves town on an extended summer break.
"It is a compromise," said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who chairs the Senate Veterans Committee. "There's been give and take on both sides."
The basics of the plan include:
+ $10 billion to allow veterans to go outside the VA for private health care if they have been waiting more than 30 days for an appointment or if they live more than 40 miles from a VA facility.
+ $5 billion to allow the VA to hire more doctors and nurses and therefore open up more slots for medical appointments
+ $2 billion for items that include the authorization of 27 new VA facilities in 18 states.
In a one page summary being circulated on Capitol Hill, backers emphasized that the plan would increase the deficit by roughly $12 billion, as it will include budget offsets from inside the VA of around $5 billion.
As of Monday evening, the details of those savings and the full bill text had not yet been released by Republicans, who defended the cost of the measure.
"Taking care of veterans is not an inexpensive proposition," said Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), the chair of the House Veterans Committee. "Our members understand that."
Miller acknowledged that some Republicans would likely not accept the final measure because of the extra deficit spending.
"We will probably not get a unanimous vote," Miller told reporters.
Still, the signals were that the bill would get strong GOP support, even from lawmakers who often talk about reducing the deficit.
"This VA reform agreement is an important step forward to begin addressing the dysfunction and incompetence that are plaguing our VA system and hurting our veterans," said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who made no mention of the cost of the bill in a press release issued on Monday.
The bill also would give the VA Secretary the power to more swiftly fire employees accused of misconduct, allowing them to be placed on unpaid leave immediately, and giving them no more than three weeks to have their future reviewed by a special board.
One other provision would ban bonuses for top workers in the VA through 2024, saving an estimated $40 million.
With lawmakers ready to get out of town for a five week break, all signs were pointing to approval of the plan in the House as early as Wednesday, with a vote in the Senate soon after.
In an era of political gridlock, it was a reminder that both parties could still compromise.
Even before a final vote could be held on this VA reform bill, the Senate on Tuesday afternoon was scheduled to approve the President's choice to head the VA, as ex-P&G executive Robert McDonald was expected to get strong bipartisan support.
About the Author
