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HearingHELD · 3H 38MOPEN TO THE PUBLICOPENHOUSE · VETERANS' AFFAIRS ·

Community care network oversight

VA officials said the 10-year contract could save about $54 billion and improve competition and care; the Center for Health and Democracy argued private care costs more without better outcomes, while Concerned Veterans for America urged choice and stronger oversight.

Thu, Jan 22 · 10:15 AM – 1:45 PM ETCannon House Office Building, Room 360Cannon 360

CHAIRMike Bost R-IL-12
Mark Takano D-CA-39
+ Calendar

Get a note when the answers to written questions are posted.

HOURS
3:38
WITNESSES
5
MEMBERS
26
STORIES
0

Watch

OFFICIAL COMMITTEE VIDEO · 3:38:06
Pick a point on the bar to jump thereTap the bar to jump3:38:06

Why this hearing

On the record: 5 witnesses: 3 federal officials and 2 from advocacy groups and think tanks.

The VA describes the plan as a 10-year multiple-award contract intended to expand competition, improve quality, shift payments toward outcomes and strengthen program integrity.

Real oversight or theater?

Did this hearing get real answers, or was it mostly speeches?

NO RATINGS YET

What each witness said

The main points of each witness’s written statement.

U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsAssistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer · Richard F. ToppingPANEL I
  • Reports VA estimates CCN Next Gen could reduce community care spending by about $54 billion over the next decade under conservative assumptions.
  • Describes a 10-year multiple-award contract designed to expand competition, improve quality, shift payments toward outcomes, and strengthen program integrity.
“Under conservative assumptions, the cost-containment framework is expected to reduce community care spending by approximately $54 billion over the next decade.”
FROM WRITTEN TESTIMONY · Read the statement ↗
Concerned Veterans for AmericaExecutive Director · John VickPANEL II
  • Argues veterans should be able to choose VA or community care based on which best meets their needs.
  • Asks Congress to codify community care access standards and oversee the Next-Generation contract to limit waste, fraud, and abuse.
“at all times, veterans should have the choice of seeking care either at a VA facility or a community care provider depending on which best meets their needs.”
FROM WRITTEN TESTIMONY · Read the statement ↗
Center for Health and DemocracyExecutive Director · Dr. Rachel Madley, Ph.D.PANEL II
  • Argues private-sector care produces worse or no better outcomes at higher costs, and expansion risks veterans' health and VHA finances.
  • Recommends investing in VHA facilities and staff, and using traditional Medicare to process claims for highly specialized private-sector care.
“care in the private sector that results in worse or no better patient outcomes at higher costs”
FROM WRITTEN TESTIMONY · Read the statement ↗

  • Reports VA estimates CCN Next Gen could reduce community care spending by about $54 billion over the next decade under conservative assumptions.
  • Describes a 10-year multiple-award contract designed to expand competition, improve quality, shift payments toward outcomes, and strengthen program integrity.
“Under conservative assumptions, the cost-containment framework is expected to reduce community care spending by approximately $54 billion over the next decade.”
FROM WRITTEN TESTIMONY · Read the statement ↗

Who asked what

We haven’t logged who asked questions at this hearing yet.

Question logs come from the committee’s official video.

The committee

26 members · 14 Republicans, 12 Democrats

Witnesses

  • Richard F. ToppingAssistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsFEDERAL OFFICIAL · First appearance
    WITNESS TYPEFederal official
    THIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
  • Alicia SkolroodExecutive Director, Integrated External Networks, Office of Integrated Veteran Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsFEDERAL OFFICIAL · First appearance
    WITNESS TYPEFederal official
    THIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
    NO STATEMENT POSTED

  • John VickExecutive Director, Concerned Veterans for AmericaNON-GOVERNMENTAL · First appearance
    WITNESS TYPENon-governmental
    THIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
  • Dr. Rachel Madley, Ph.D.Executive Director, Center for Health and DemocracyNON-GOVERNMENTAL · First appearance
    WITNESS TYPENon-governmental
    THIS CONGRESSFirst appearance

  • Richard ToppingAssistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsFirst appearance
    WITNESS TYPENot listed
    THIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
    NO STATEMENT POSTED

In the news

No news coverage of this hearing yet.

Timeline & documents

  1. Hearing noticed (done)JAN 15
  2. Held (done)JAN 22 · 10:15 AM – 1:45 PM
  3. Video posted (done)JAN 22 · 1:45 PM
  4. Written testimony posted (done)JAN 20 · 10:18 AM
  5. Questions for the record posted (done)FEB 3
  6. Printed transcript (done)PUBLISHED AUG 31

are posted. The printed transcript is out.

Related hearings

Data: Congress.gov committee meetings · House Committee Repository (docs.house.gov) · committee video on YouTube · GovInfo printed hearings · ChamberLight news coverage