Over the past several years, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) added VA health care and acquisition management to its High-Risk List. Addressing longstanding challenges requires sustained leadership and strong management and would help ensure veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve.
H.R. 693, the VACANT Act, would require the VA Secretary to appoint a VA medical center director as acting director after detailing that director to a different position within the Department. The individual appointed as acting director would be afforded all of the authority and responsibilities of the detailed director.
DAV supports H.R. 693, in accordance with DAV Resolution No. 056, as it would improve accountability to sustain needed leadership to ensure the VA health care system runs seamlessly during a period of transition and that veterans’ continuity of care and benefits are not disrupted.