House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday, October 14, 2009, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bob Filner conducted a hearing to receive an update from Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki.  The forum provided an opportunity for Members of the Committee to direct questions to the Secretary regarding health care and benefits for veterans and specific challenges facing the Department.   

“Our service members and veterans have proven their dedication with their bravery and their sacrifice,” said Chairman Filner.  “America must continue to show her devotion to the heroes that have fought on the battlefields and returned home.  The way in which we treat our veterans has a direct impact on our ability to recruit men and women in the future, and is a reflection of the values and ideals we hold as a nation.”  

Shinseki provided a nine-month progress report on the state of the VA since becoming Secretary in January.   The Secretary announced that a Department of Veterans Affairs Strategic Plan is soon to be released that would outline the strategic goals that will drive decision-making over the next five years.  He spoke of specific concerns that have been raised directly by veterans which include improving access to health care, reducing the time it takes for a disability claim to be fairly adjudicated, and the need for addressing the downward spiral that can lead to homelessness for veterans.  With respect to the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, the Secretary discussed its emergency procedures to issue checks to veterans after initial delays and ensured that VA will mature its “information technology tools to assure timely delivery of checks in the future.”  

The Secretary also addressed challenges, missed opportunities, and gaps in providing care and services to veterans.  He said, “We will continue to look for and find our failures and disappointments; we will be open and candid with Veterans, the Congress, and other stakeholders when we fall short; and we will correct those problems, take the right lessons from them, and improve the process to achieve the best outcomes.  In recent months, we have discussed with the Committee lapses in quality control and safety regarding endoscopes and other reusable equipment, erroneous notifications of ALS diagnoses, and expensive IT initiatives that were not meeting program thresholds.”

Chairman Filner discussed the need to rebuild confidence in the VA among veterans.  He stressed the need for all Americans to know about efforts underway to provide better services to veterans.  Filner cited the incredible commitment to end veteran homelessness in five years, the recent addition of three presumptive illnesses for Agent Orange veterans, and the revolutionary step to provide funding for veterans health care one year in advance.   

WITNESS

• The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs