Rep. Jen Kiggans, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, delivered opening remarks on Mar. 25 at a legislative hearing focused on several proposed bills intended to enhance oversight of Department of Veterans Affairs operations and improve the quality and safety of care for veterans.
The hearing addressed twelve bills that aim to strengthen accountability, protect veterans’ data, bolster workforce retention, expand small business opportunities in federal subcontracting, reform payment structures, and implement new quality assurance measures in VA healthcare facilities nationwide.
Kiggans said her own bill—the Veteran Infection Prevention Act—was created in response to "a pattern of serious and well-documented failures within VA’s sterile processing protocols," which have resulted in significant risks for veteran patients. She cited issues at the Dublin VA Medical Center as an example where "lapses in oversight and breakdowns in sterile processing protocols created unacceptable risks to patient safety." Kiggans emphasized that these problems are systemic rather than isolated incidents.
Other legislation highlighted during the hearing included the VA Site Neutral Payment Act led by Dr. Miller-Meeks, which seeks to address inefficiencies by standardizing payments for similar services regardless of care location. Kiggans said this would help eliminate cost disparities while maintaining quality standards for veterans' care. General Bergman’s proposed bill was also discussed; it focuses on strengthening financial oversight at the VA by empowering its Chief Financial Officer.
Additionally, Rep. Self's bill—the VA Bonus and Relocation Recovery Act—aims to close a loophole that allows former employees to avoid repaying bonuses or relocation expenses they should not have received. According to Kiggans, extending recoupment authority is necessary "to ensure taxpayer dollars are protected and accountability does not end when someone leaves government service." She concluded her remarks by thanking witnesses present at the hearing.
