On the recordMay 31, 2012
I certainly want to thank the ranking member for yielding. I want to thank my good friend from Texas, Chairman Culberson, thank both of them for this bipartisan approach. Mr. Chairman, contract and other non-VA medical providers play a vital part in the VA medical system, providing veterans medical services throughout the State of Texas and the United States where the VA doesn't currently operate VA-run and -staffed facilities. Despite the critical role that they play throughout Texas, many of these providers in my south Texas district are experiencing continuing issues with receiving timely compensation for services rendered. Many of the past-due claims are well over 60 days past due. Non-VA medical providers are dedicated to providing the highest quality medical care possible to the veterans, providing them choice; however, they operate on a fee basis and rely on timely compensation for services rendered to continue to operate. If these providers are unable to receive timely payment from the VA, economic reality will eventually force them to stop providing services to the veterans. A factor that further complicates this situation is the VA's overall lack of responsiveness to inquiries from medical providers and even Members of Congress about past-due medical payments.
