Press Releases

*The below release has been updated to reflect the new date and time for the scheduled hearing.

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) and Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) Chairmen of the House and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, respectively, announced a joint oversight hearing entitled, “Tracking Transformation: VA MISSION Act Implementation.” The joint full committee hearing will be held on December 19th at 2:00 pm. More information, including the witness list, will be made available in the coming days.

"The VA MISSION Act was one of this Congress’s top bicameral, bipartisan achievements, and now it is time to review its implementation and ensure it is done properly,” said Roe. “This law was a huge win for the health of our nation’s veterans. The VA MISSION Act gives veterans timely access to quality care by streamlining the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) duplicative community care programs into one cohesive program. The legislation also created a directed review of VA’s aging infrastructure, which is long overdue. As VA implements this critical legislation, it is imperative Congress continue its constitutional duty of overseeing the process and ensuring our veterans receive the services and support promised to them.”

“We put the needs of our veterans first when drafting the VA MISSION Act,” said Isakson. “These landmark reforms give veterans the option of seeking care when and where it makes the most sense for their individual needs. We’ve eliminated bureaucratic hurdles to create a force multiplier for the VA to better utilize its resources and provide even better care to veterans. I look forward to hearing from the VA on its progress so far and will continue to keep a close watch to ensure the VA implements this law as Congress intended and does so in a timely manner.”

The following event is open to the press:

WHO: House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

WHAT: “Tracking Transformation: VA MISSION Act Implementation.”

WHEN: 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 19, 2018

WHERE: HVC-210 - Capitol Visitors Center, House Side, Second Floor, Room 210 and streaming here.

Background: During this joint oversight hearing, the two committees will discuss the implementation of the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (also known as the VA MISSION Act). The committees will focus on VA’s progress with respect to implementation of title I of the law, which requires VA to institute a consolidated community care program governed by certain access and quality standards by no later than June 6, 2019, to replace the Choice program.