Become an Original Cosponsor of the VA Health Center Management Stability and Improvement Act

Current Original Cosponsors: Rodney Davis,
Swalwell

Dear Colleague:

As Congress continues its efforts to improve management at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in order to ensure a stronger support system for our veterans, I would like
to draw your attention to an issue that may be impeding the ability of the VA to improve care for our nation’s heroes.

According to a recent analysis by the VA, more than 20 agency medical centers lack a permanent director. Some of these institutions have not been staffed by a permanent director
in almost two years. In lieu of a permanent director, these facilities have been managed by interim directors who may only serve in that capacity for a maximum of 240 days, with the average tenure of an interim director being 120 days.

The revolving door of directors serving in an acting capacity undoubtedly hinders the ability to engage in long-term planning and other functions necessary to improve service
delivery to our veterans. The VA Health Center Management Stability and Improvement Act would direct the Secretary of the VA to develop a plan to fill these vacancies with permanent directors. Specifically, the bill would:

1. Within 120 days of enactment, require the Secretary of VA to develop and submit to Congress a plan to hire qualified medical directors for each medical center that lacks
   a permanent director;
2. Identify possible impediments to staffing facilities with permanent directors;
3. Assess the possibility of promoting and training qualified candidates from within the VA for promotion to Senior Executive Service positions.

A list of VA medical centers with vacancies can be found below. For more information, or to become a cosponsor, please contact Noah Barger in Rep. Bost’s
office at noah.barger@mail.house.gov or Ben Goldeen in Rep. Costa’s office at
ben.goldeen@mail.house.gov.  

Sincerely,

Mike Bost                                                                   Jim Costa

Member of Congress                                                   Member of Congress