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Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced an oversight hearing entitled, “Exploring VA’s Oversight of Contract Disability Examinations.” The Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hearing will be held on November 15^th at 10:30 am. More information, including the witness list, will be made available in the coming weeks.

"One of the first things I did as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs was send a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting that they investigate whether the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s current process and procedures for overseeing contract physicians was sufficient to ensuring the quality of disability examinations for our nation’s veterans,” said full committee Chairman Roe. “Now, I am pleased to say that GAO has finally provided the Committee with their report on this topic, and it is time to delve into the details. In the last two fiscal years, VA has spent $1.6 billion on contract exams. However, if Congress is without data on the quality and timeliness of these examinations, we have no way of knowing if this is wise use of taxpayer funds. I remain just as committed as I was when I first became Chairman to ensuring that veterans are receiving timely and quality examinations and that taxpayer money is well spent."

“The VA’s ineffective oversight of contract exams potentially may have impacted the accuracy of decisions on veterans’ claims, delayed claims processing, and increased costs for taxpayers," said Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.). "I appreciate Chairman Roe making this issue a high priority and I look forward to engaging with VA officials at this hearing to gain clarity and ensure veterans receive the care and compensation they have earned.”

The following event is open to the press:

WHO: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

WHAT: “Exploring VA’s Oversight of Contract Disability Examinations"

WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 15, 2018. The time will be released at a later date.

WHERE: 334 Cannon House Office Building and streaming here.

Background: During this oversight hearing, the subcommittee will discuss VA’s oversight of disability examinations conducted by contract medical examiners. They will discuss VA’s process to assess the quality and timeliness of contract disability exams. Moreover, the hearing will examine how VA identifies and addresses underperforming contractors.