Veterans would be able to compare performance ratings for individual Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and seek care at those with better results under legislation introduced on Tuesday by Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.).
Boustany and Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), who are both physicians, co-sponsored the Equalizing Transparency for Veterans Act. Under the measure, data would be made available on specific treatment outcomes, patient satisfaction and wait times at individual VA facilities.
“America’s veterans have earned top-quality care through their service,” Boustany said. “Unfortunately, in recent weeks we have discovered just how far from that standard of care the VA has fallen, allowing veterans to die waiting on care that never came. I believe empowering veterans to make their own choices about where to seek care within the system is a good start to correcting this problem. I’m proud to stand with Congressman Roe to introduce this legislation to make the system more transparent, flexible and efficient.”
The VA’s website provides limited information under the current system. Boustany and Roe, however, said providing more data would increase transparency and lead to better care for VA patients and better value for taxpayers.
“After last week’s release of the disturbing audit of VA health centers around the country, it is clear that Congress has a lot of work to do to improve veterans’ healthcare,” Roe said. “Transparency is a key component to successfully reforming the way our nation cares for veterans, and one step in the right direction is to give veterans and their families access to important information about the quality of care at various VA health facilities.”