releases: http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-emphasizes-importance-of-reducing-inefficiencies-at-va-while
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-emphasizes-importance-of-reducing-inefficiencies-at-va-while | Kuster Emphasizes Importance of Reducing Inefficiencies at VA While Protecting Access to Care During Hearing | 2015-07-22 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | NH | Ann Kuster | K000382 | kuster.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) heard testimony from VA officials, including VA Secretary Bob McDonald, regarding an impending budget shortfall at the VA that could cause hospital closures and other impediments to care for our nations veterans. Kuster has long advocated for increased access to care at the VA, and she questioned officials today about how such funding shortfalls can be prevented. As a strong supporter of last years comprehensive veterans reform legislation, which aimed to expand services at the VA and remove roadblocks to care, Im deeply concerned that the VA is now facing an unanticipated budget shortfall that could force the agency to take a significant step backwards, said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. Ensuring our veterans have access to the care they need must be our foremost priority, and that means significant planning needs to be done on the part of the VA to ensure that budgetary goals can be met. Today, I questioned VA officials on their plan moving forward, so we can ensure the VA never puts our veterans health at jeopardy because of poor planning or inefficiencies. Last year, Congress passed into law the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, which significantly overhauled faulty processes at the VA and implemented new programs to increase access to care for veterans across the country. While the VA has made progress in implementing these reforms, the agency is now facing a $3 billion budget shortfall, which could force hospital closures and other impediments to care. Congresswoman Kuster has long called for efficiency at the VA to ensure that veterans programs are never put into jeopardy because of lack of foresight. A member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee since taking office, Congresswoman Kuster helped lead the investigation into mismanagement scandals at the VA last year, and she is currently the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. This role allows the Congresswoman to continue to put additional pressure on the VA to improve access and quality of care, and to cut down on waste and inefficiencies, which can lead to budget shortfalls. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |