releases: http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-questions-va-officials-about-procurement-and-payment-policies-for
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-questions-va-officials-about-procurement-and-payment-policies-for | Kuster Questions VA Officials about Procurement and Payment Policies for Non-VA Services | 2015-06-03 | 2015 | 2015-06 | Democrat | House | NH | Ann Kuster | K000382 | kuster.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC This week, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) participated in two House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee hearings, where she questioned VA officials about a lack of efficiency in the procurement process for non-VA care. During both hearings, Kuster heard from witnesses about the many issues plaguing the VAs system, including its longstanding tradition of procuring care and materials without entering into a contract, failing to properly follow regulations to reduce cost and ensure high-quality services are being purchased, and failure to repay non-VA providers for their services in a timely manner. It is the VAs duty to ensure that our veterans can access the highest quality of care at all times, and that includes non-VA care that has been procured through the VA, said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. The VA cannot live up to this goal if VA officials are failing to properly pay for the services theyve purchased, or if they are purchasing care and materials without first looking into the most cost-effective and high quality options. This recklessness needs to stop immediately, and during todays hearing I urged the VA to take action to fix this flawed system so our veterans can rely on the VA to provide the services they need. In March of 2014, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the VA was failing to pay non-VA providers in a timely manner, with some claims languishing for months and even years. These delays could discourage non-VA providers from continuing to choose to work with the VA, which would prevent American veterans from receiving the care they rely on from outside providers. Whats more, far too many veterans themselves have been charged for services that should have been paid by the VA. Additionally, the VA has been accused of failing to properly enter into contracts with vendors and providers, which can result in overpayment and a decrease in quality of care and materials. Congresswoman Kuster and her fellow Subcommittee members questioned VA officials about these findings, and have called for an overhaul of the system to modernize the process, improve continuity of care, and decrease inefficiencies and waste of taxpayer dollars. 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 earlier this year she was named Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Investigations. This role allows the Congresswoman to continue to put pressure on the VA to improve access and quality of care, and during todays hearing she emphasized the importance of cutting down on inefficiencies and ensuring the VA is working to enhance quality of care for our nations veterans. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |