Cassidy, Moran, Collins cosponsor bill to improve veterans’ health care

U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Susan Collins (R-ME) on June 14 cosponsored the bipartisan Department of Veterans Affairs Provider Accountability Act.

If enacted, S. 2041, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), would ensure that U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare providers have the necessary qualifications and clinical skills to deliver safe, high-quality care to America’s military veterans, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Cassidy’s office.

“Veterans who went to war for our freedom deserve quality care,” Sen. Cassidy said on Monday. “Increasing accountability for veteran healthcare providers ensures Louisiana veterans are safe and cared for.”

The bill would require that the VA compile, verify and continuously monitor the professional licensures, certifications and registrations with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), National Practitioner Data Bank and the applicable state licensing boards for certain VA healthcare professionals, according to the bill summary.

“By requiring the VA to report these issues in a timely manner and prohibiting the concealment of serious medical errors in settlements with fired VA employees, this legislation would help restore accountability, protect veterans, and enhance the care that they receive at the VA,” said Sen. Collins.

Among several other provisions, the bill also would require that the VA conduct ongoing monitoring of the performance and quality of the health care delivered by each healthcare professional and to provide biannual training on licensure, employment and reporting requirements to employees performing such duties.

“Kansas veterans have suffered the consequences of VA turning a blind eye to concerns about the competency of medical providers and ignoring serious medical errors,” said Sen. Moran. “I’m not satisfied that everything that can be done legislatively or administratively has been, or is being done, to ensure veterans are only receiving the highest quality care possible.”