Inquirer: Bill would help hold VA accountable
By Patrick Meehan and Ryan Costello
Last month, the Department of Veterans Affairs' inspector general released a scathing report on the Philadelphia VA Regional Office, which provides pension and benefits-claim services for more than 800,000 veterans in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
The report confirmed what we long feared to be true, that the Philadelphia VA is rife with mismanagement and abuse. Findings include rampant intimidation of employees, deliberate manipulation of claims data, and mail from veterans left unanswered for a year or more.
The IG report is the product of an investigation that began nearly a year ago. Now we, and our veterans, are told we must wait for yet another review by a VA administrative investigative board before anyone is held to account.
As members of Congress who represent thousands of veterans served by the Philadelphia office, we are focused on accountability and ensuring that the VA implements real reforms to better serve vets. Since the issues emerged, we have been proactive in our oversight of the facility, visiting the office, working with whistle-blowers, and meeting with management to express our concerns.
Claims problems at the Philadelphia office do not stem from a lack of resources. Our focus moving forward will be on improving management accountability by firing those culpable, and ongoing monitoring of results and feedback for the various stakeholders - including employees, whistle-blowers, management, and, most important, veterans.
Additionally, the House recently took a positive step toward reform by passing appropriations legislation authored by the Lehigh Valley's Rep. Charlie Dent (R., Pa.). It includes specific funding to enable the VA to modernize its health records and bring the department's antiquated claims-processing system into the 21st century. It provides for the treatment of about 6.9 million patients and 770 new staff to tackle the claims backlog.
The bill also forces the VA to focus taxpayer resources where they are needed, and it requires the VA's leadership to hit specific benchmarks of performance.
We will continue to be vigilant in our oversight of the facility, its management, and the implementation of the inspector general's recommendations.
This issue is not partisan or political - it's personal, to each veteran, his or her family, and all Americans. We're all grateful for the sacrifices our veterans have made, and we want them to have the care and benefits they earned in the service of our nation. They deserve the best, and we're working to make sure they get it.
Ryan Costello is a Pennsylvania congressman representing the Sixth Congressional District, consisting of parts of Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and Lebanon Counties
Pat Meehan is a Pennsylvania congressman representing the Seventh District, consisting of parts of Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Berks, and Lancaster Counties