AKAKA CHAIRS HEARING ON VA'S $3 BILLION IN ANNUAL CARE CONTRACTING
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, held a hearing on VA’s purchase of health care from community providers, a $3 billion-a-year enterprise. Akaka raised concern regarding the extent to which VA oversees both the funding and the outcomes.
“When it is in a veterans’ best interest, contracting outside of the VA health system is a good option that the Department should continue to exercise. At the same time, it is clear from today’s hearing that VA needs to aggressively control and oversee quality and value.
“VA detailed steps being taken to improve, and this committee will continue to push for increased accountability,” said Akaka.
Chairman Akaka’s opening statement, as well as the written statements of the witnesses, is available here. More information on specific VA contracts is available here at http://usaspending.gov.
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September 30, 2009
