Working for Accountability and Transparency at the VA

We have a solemn obligation to stand with our veterans. It is a principle of solidarity. They stood for us. We stand for them.

Unfortunately, the VA experienced several failures to live up to that principle in recent years from Pittsburgh to Phoenix, and around the nation.

I have been working closely with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get better results for veterans. The VA must develop a culture of accountability to better serve our veterans.

Working for Accountability and Answers at the Pittsburgh VA for Families of Legionnaires' Victims

The outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) that led to the deaths of several veterans was tragic. But, the lack of candor, transparency, and responsibility among those at the VA who failed in their duties during and after the outbreak is both outrageous and unacceptable. My colleagues and I have been working to find answers and accountability for the families of the victims.

April 5, 2013 - Sent letter to President Obama and then-Secretary Shinseki expressing grave concern about the VA's lack of responsiveness to requests for documents and emails.

April 25, 2013 - Western PA colleagues and I called on the Pittsburgh VA to put in place new written guidelines outlining duties and responsibilities for infection control.

September 12, 2013 - Joined Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Miller and Western PA colleagues for a field hearing to address the VA's failures in Pittsburgh and around the nation.

November 21, 2013 - Sent the letter to then Secretary Shinseki urging him to identify and hold accountable individuals responsible for the preventable deaths of five veterans.

November 26, 2013 - Senator Toomey and I sent letter to then Secretary Shinseki seeking answers on what administrative actions he will take to hold accountable individuals responsible for preventable deaths at the Pittsburgh VA.

February 3, 2014 - Passed the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act, which included the Infectious Disease Reporting Act.

August 1, 2014 - House Veterans' Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Coffman, Congressman Murphy, and I sent a letter demanding “full and open accounting” of any disciplinary or administrative actions taken against employees responsible for preventable deaths of at least six veterans at Pittsburgh VA.

October 1, 2014 - House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Miller, Veterans' Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Coffman, Congressman Murphy, Congressman Kelly, and I sent a letter to VA Secretary McDonald to call for his immediate and personal attention to providing answers to veterans' families; bringing accountability and transparency to the Pittsburgh VA.

Working to Provide Veterans Timely Access to Health Care

Veterans should not be forced to wait excessive periods of time to receive the care they need. Many veterans have been forced to wait unreasonable amounts of time on the New Enrollee Appointment Request List in Pittsburgh, on secret waiting lists in Phoenix and at other facilities around the country, and on the national disability claims backlog.

June 3, 2014 - Sent a letter to VA VISN 4 Interim Network Director Devansky to demand answers, transparency, and accountability relating to hundreds of veterans on the VA’s NEAR List.

June 10, 2014 - Passed Veterans Access to Care Act providing veterans with the choice to visit a local hospital or doctor if the VA is unable to provide treatment in a timely manner.

Resolving the VA Disability Claims Backlog

After a decade of war and despite the VA’s efforts to modernize, too many veterans are still stuck in the VA’s disability claims backlog. My colleagues and I have been working to keep the VA accountable and ensure that no veterans are stuck in the VA backlog.

May 28, 2013 - Over one hundred sixty colleagues in the House and I sent a bipartisan letter to President Obama urging him to take action to address and resolve the VA disability claims backlog.

October 28, 2013 - House passed H.R. 2189, an important step forward in addressing and resolving the VA disability claims backlog.

Bonuses Better Spent Providing Veterans with First-Rate Care

As public servants, employees at the VA have a solemn obligation to ensure that veterans receive the respect, support, and care they have earned and rightly expect. Unfortunately, the VA has failed veterans in Western Pennsylvania and across the country.

June 10, 2014 - Passed the Veterans Access to Care Act, which includes a provision I've championed since coming to Congress to prohibit bonuses for senior VA executives.

April 30, 2014 - Offered an amendment earlier this year prohibiting bonuses for senior VA executives.

Full Timeline

June 10, 2014 - House Acts to Provide Veterans Timely Access to Care

June 6, 2014 - Washington Examiner: The Florida Republican Who is Veterans Affairs' Worst Nightmare

June 4, 2014 - Beaver County Times: Congressman Asks for Detailed Report from Pittsburgh VA Official

June 3, 2014 - Rothfus Demands Answers for Veterans Denied or Delayed Access to Care

June 2, 2014 - The Tribune-Democrat: Local Elected Officials Weigh in on VA Health Care Controversy

May 30, 2014 - WJAC: Shinseki Resigns Amid Veterans' Health Care Issues

May 30, 2014 - Rothfus Statement on Shinseki Resignation

May 29, 2014 - Veterans Stood for Us, We Stand for Them

May 21, 2014 - Veterans Deserve High Quality, Accountable VA Health Care System and Claims Process

May 2, 2014 - Beaver County Times: Rothfus Amendment Would Prohibit Bonuses for VA Executives

April 30, 2014 - Rothfus Amendment Prohibiting Bonuses for Senior VA Executives Passes House

February 4, 2014 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Veterans Measures Heading to Senate for Vote

February 3, 2014 - Working Together to Improve Care for Our Veterans

November 26, 2013 - Toomey, Rothfus Seek Answers from VA Secretary on Pittsburgh VA

November 21, 2013 - Rothfus Urges Secretary Shinseki to Bring Accountability, Transparency to Pittsburgh VA

October 28, 2013 - House Approves Solutions to Address, Resolve VA Disability Claims Backlog

September 12, 2013 - Rothfus Seeks Answers at Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Pittsburgh

August 8, 2013 - Rothfus Announces Military and Veterans' Advisory Board

August 5, 2013 - Rothfus Welcomes Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing to Pittsburgh

June 19, 2013 - Rothfus Supports Infectious Disease Reporting Act to Protect Veterans

June 4, 2013 - Rothfus Amendment Prohibiting Performance Bonuses for Top VA Executives Passes House

May 28, 2013 - Rothfus Urges President Obama to Address VA Claims Backlog

May 3, 2013 - Reps. Murphy, Rothfus Call on Administration to Rescind Bonus and Award to VA Director

April 25, 2013 - SWPA Delegation Calls on VA Pittsburgh to Detail New Legionnaires' Control Protocols

April 5, 2013 - Rothfus and House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairmen Demand Overdue Documents from VA in Legionnaires' Investigation

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  • Office Locations

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    Ross Township Office 6000 Babcock Boulevard, Suite 104
    Pittsburgh, PA 15237

    Phone: (412) 837-1361
    Fax: (412) 593-2022

    View on Map    		 http://rothfus.house.gov/visit-your-local-office/
    Johnstown Office 110 Franklin Street, Suite 150
    Cambria County Complex
    Johnstown, PA 15901

    Phone: (814) 619-3659
    Fax: (412) 593-2022

    View on Map    		 http://rothfus.house.gov/visit-your-local-office/
    Beaver Office 250 Insurance Street, Suite 203
    Beaver, PA 15009

    Phone: (724) 359-1626
    Fax: (412) 593-2022

    View on Map    		 http://rothfus.house.gov/visit-your-local-office/
    Washington, D.C. Office 503 Cannon House Office Building
    Washington, D.C. 20515

    Phone: (202) 225-2065
    Fax: (202) 225-5709

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