Sanford Bishop: “We are all outraged with regard to the claims backlog and the incidences of poor quality health services and safety. The…”

“We are all outraged with regard to the claims backlog and the incidences of poor quality health services and safety. The current claims backlog is unacceptable. There is no question that the VA has struggled to successfully deliver one of its key missions: to provide timely ratings of disabilities. However, the VA has reduced the backlog by 44 percent. Should we ignore that? It is also clear that some VA health facilities have had serious issues that put the health, safety, and well-being of our veterans at risk. This, too, is unacceptable. Where these failures have occurred, it is hard to imagine how VA leaders of these facilities could have received high performance ratings and substantial bonuses. However, this amendment will not provide any solution in the short- term and, in fact, may have long-term consequences and compound the very problems that it attempts to address. This amendment would make the VA a less attractive option than other agencies when it comes to recruiting and retaining quality executive leaders, and it will not have the very talent that it needs to solve the problems that it faces today, like the claims backlog and the healthcare deficiencies. Furthermore, SES pay and bonuses are governed by title 5 of the United States Code and administered by the Office of Personnel Management. Any change to title 5 to address VA would then also apply to all other Federal agencies.…”