releases: https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-backed-plan-to-address-va-workforce-shortages-clears-key-committee
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-backed-plan-to-address-va-workforce-shortages-clears-key-committee | McCaskill-backed Plan to Address VA Workforce Shortages Clears Key Committee | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MO | Claire McCaskill | M001170 | www.mccaskill.senate.gov | legacy | McCaskill-backed Plan to Address VA Workforce Shortages Clears Key Committee Provision follows bipartisan efforts to have permanent director installed at St. Louis VA Thursday, December 10, 2015 WASHINGTON A provision backed by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill to address personnel challenges in the Veterans Administrationissues that have particularly plagued the St. Louis region where the VA has struggled to install a permanent medical directorthis week cleared a key hurdle as it advanced through the Veterans Affairs Committee. The VA has to do a better job of attracting and retaining well-qualified leaders to serve as medical center directors, said McCaskill, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee and the daughter of a World War II veteran This commonsense legislation will help us do that in St. Louis and across the country, and Im glad this proposal thatll better address the VAs personnel challenges continues to advance. The provision was originally part of the bipartisan Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services for Veterans Act, which builds on the reforms enacted into law last year through the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, and would address some of the critical personnel issues and workforce shortages at the VA by building a pipeline of qualified medical professionals into the VA health system, eliminating red tape that hinders reform and impacts care, and creating initiatives to better leverage the VA workforce. The bill garnered the support of groups including: the American Legion, American Mental Health Counselors Association, AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, National Guard Association of the United States, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Veterans Affairs Physician Assistant Association, among others. McCaskill, along with fellow Missouri Senator Roy Blunt, earlier this year wrote to VA Secretary Robert McDonald, urging the installation of a permanent medical director at the St. Louis VA, which has been vacant for years. The VAs response to the Senators detailed numerous personnel challenges at the agencyincluding six times the VA failed to secure a permanent director, including two of those six instances in which no qualified applicant even applied for the position. McCaskill has repeatedly called on the Administration to fill vacant watchdog positions, and called on President Obama earlier this year to specifically fill the vacant VA Inspector General position. The Administrations nominee Michael Missal remains unconfirmed. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/veterans to learn more about McCaskills fight for military veterans. ### Print Email Tweet | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |