Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and Rep. Tracey Mann (R-Kans.), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations, released the following statements on the introduction of H.R. 2082, the VA Supply Chain Resiliency Act. This legislation would include the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the Warstopper program, a proven best practice which has helped the Department of Defense (DoD) respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The ongoing pandemic has further exposed serious medical supply chain issues within VA. Although we saw the VA work tirelessly to procure emergency supplies, our veterans deserve a permanent solution for an antiquated system that will instill confidence in their safety and medical care," said O&I Chairman Pappas. "I am proud to work with Congressmen Bost and Mann to introduce legislation that will allow the VA to partner with our Department of Defense to better manage vendors, inventory, and essential equipment. I will continue to work with the VA and my colleagues to ensure our VA is equipped to provide our veterans with the care they have earned."
"COVID-19 has taught us all painful lessons about the importance of a strong supply chain," said Ranking Member Bost. "That is why I am proud to introduce the VA Supply Chain Resiliency Act with Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Pappas and Ranking Member Mann. The Warstopper program has been a key backstop in DoD's pandemic response. Our bill would require VA to take part in it too. That will give veterans, taxpayers, and employees the confidence to know that VA will have the supplies it needs to care for veterans well, now and during any future emergency."
"The Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest integrated health care system in America, and must have a strong, resilient supply chain to meet the needs of veterans and health care professionals," said O&I Ranking Member Mann. "This pandemic has shown us we need to be flexible and agile when it comes to our supply chains, and this commonsense legislation ensures the VA will be prepared to respond to future emergencies. We must always ensure quality care for our veterans."
For the last year Pappas has been pressing the VA to address their supply chain issues and has held Congressional hearings to better identify the issues hindering care.
Bill text of the VA Supply Chain Resiliency Act can be found here.
Original source can be found here.
