Congressman Chris Collins Sounds Off on Reports of VA Bonuses

Congressman Collins today reacted to reports that Phoenix VA employees manipulated wait-times for veterans in order to trigger $10 million in bonuses.

“It is absolutely disgusting that an agency whose negligence cost veterans their lives was awarding bonuses for performance,” said Congressman Collins. “As I have said before, VA reform is needed immediately. My colleagues and I will not rest until the VA is providing the care our veterans deserve. The House passed the Veterans Access to Care Act of 2014, which aims to address many of the bureaucratic issues in the VA and allow veterans on waitlists for medical care the freedom to visit private providers. I look forward to veterans finally getting the health services they need, and until then, I will continue to fight to protect our veterans.

According to an article in the Arizona Republic, “newly released records show the Phoenix VA Health Care System paid out roughly $10 million in bonuses during the past three years, when some staff manipulated patient wait-time records to trigger bonuses as veterans died awaiting care.”