U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) questioned top officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during a hearing, addressing a $15 billion budget shortfall and concerns over mismanagement.
Tuberville pressed Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua D. Jacobs and Under Secretary for Health Shereef M. Elnahal, M.D., regarding the cause of the shortfall and the impact on veterans’ care, particularly in light of recent legislation like the PACT Act.
Tuberville has been vocal about the issue, sending a letter and publishing an op-ed urging Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) to hold a hearing.
Along with Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tuberville introduced the PRO Vets Act, which would require the VA to provide Congress with quarterly, in-person briefings to ensure transparency on budgetary shortfalls.
Bonuses and Spending Concerns
Tuberville began by asking Jacobs about the allocation of bonuses within the VA. He pressed for clarification on whether the bonuses were going to frontline workers or administrators.
“The majority of the CSI payments that have been paid out by the department are going to frontline workers,” Jacobs responded, noting that improper payments had gone to leadership within the VA’s central office.
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Tuberville then inquired about the VA’s internal processes for verifying financial projections and whether any outside accounting firms were involved. Jacobs confirmed that most of the budget oversight and projections are handled in-house, but he would need to confirm if there had been any external reviews.
Addressing the Budget Shortfall
When questioning Elnahal about the VA’s projected shortfall for 2025, Tuberville highlighted a reported potential deficit of $22.6 billion. Elnahal clarified that the shortfall was expected to be closer to $12 billion, mostly related to medical care.
Tuberville raised concerns over the increasing reliance on community care services in states like Alabama, where healthcare providers have expressed being overwhelmed by patient demand despite increased hiring at the VA.
Elnahal acknowledged the issue, explaining that the VA requires additional funding to address both direct care and community care, pointing to a significant increase in patient appointments across the board.
Mental Health Prioritization
Tuberville also focused on mental health services, asking about the VA’s hiring strategy for mental health professionals and whether the PACT Act has led to an increase in veterans seeking help.
Elnahal confirmed a rise in mental health demand, with 15% more new patient appointments this year compared to last. He noted that the VA is prioritizing strategic hiring in mental health and expects to add 5,000 more employees to meet growing needs.
Tuberville closed by emphasizing the importance of continuing to explore new avenues for treating mental health conditions, particularly PTSD, and the need for additional funding to support these efforts.
Senator Tuberville’s pointed questions during the hearing highlighted ongoing concerns over the VA’s budget management and the delivery of care to veterans.
As lawmakers evaluate potential solutions, including the proposed PRO Vets Act, transparency and accountability will be key to addressing the VA’s budget challenges and ensuring veterans receive the care they deserve.
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