Washington, D.C. - Today, the House and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a joint oversight hearing entitled, “Tracking Transformation: VA MISSION Act Implementation.”
Below are Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.)’s remarks:
Opening Remarks As Prepared for Delivery:
Welcome and thank you all for joining us for today’s joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.
This morning we will discuss the implementation of the John S. McCain, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 - better known as the MISSION Act.
The MISSION Act is a truly transformative piece of legislation that will impact virtually every aspect of the care that VA provides.
Developing it took many months of intense negotiation and close collaboration between our Committees, the Trump Administration, the Department, and numerous veterans service organizations (VSOs), stakeholders, and advocates.
We should all be proud of our work on the MISSION Act and of the benefits that our nation’s veterans will derive from it in the years ahead.
However, in many ways, the real work has just begun.
Almost six months ago, the MISSION Act was signed into law.
Almost six months from now, one of the Act’s most noteworthy requirements - the creation of a consolidated community care program - will go into effect.
Today - at the midpoint between enactment and execution - we are here on a bicameral and bipartisan basis to evaluate both the progress that VA has made thus far with regard to the implementation of the MISSION Act and the barriers that may exist to full, on-time, and on-budget implementation in the coming months.
Seeing the MISSION Act signed into law took the collective effort of all of us - working closely together with one another, with VA senior leaders, with the White House, and with our veteran service organization partners.
Seeing the MISSION Act implemented appropriately will require no less than that same teamwork.
Mr. Secretary, thank you for being here today to provide concrete answers to our many questions about the work that the Agency has been doing these last six months and the work that lies before you in the next six months and beyond.
The importance and the enormity of the task ahead cannot be overstated, but I have faith in you and your team and I know that the considerable support of this Administration and this Congress is behind you.
I implore you to be as up-front as possible today - and every day - about the challenges you are facing and the help that you need from us to ensure success for our veterans.
I look forward to working together to overcome any barrier that may be in your way.
