Watch
OFFICIAL COMMITTEE VIDEO · 3:38:06Why 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.
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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”
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
- Mike BostR-IL-12 · CHAIR
- Tom BarrettR-MI-7
- Jack BergmanR-MI-1
- Juan CiscomaniR-AZ-6
- Abraham J. HamadehR-AZ-8
- Jennifer A. KiggansR-VA-2
- Kimberlyn King-HindsR-MP-AL
- Morgan LuttrellR-TX-8
- Nancy MaceR-SC-1
- Mariannette Miller-MeeksR-IA-1
- Gregory F. MurphyR-NC-3
- Derrick Van OrdenR-WI-3
- Aumua Amata Coleman RadewagenR-AS-AL
- Keith SelfR-TX-3
- Mark TakanoD-CA-39 · RANKING
- Julia BrownleyD-CA-26
- Nikki BudzinskiD-IL-13
- Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickD-FL-20
- Herbert C. Conaway, Jr.D-NJ-3
- Maxine DexterD-OR-3
- Maggie GoodlanderD-NH-2
- Timothy M. KennedyD-NY-26
- Morgan McGarveyD-KY-3
- Kelly MorrisonD-MN-3
- Chris PappasD-NH-1
- Delia C. RamirezD-IL-3
Witnesses
A group of witnesses who testify and take questions together.
- Richard F. ToppingAssistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWITNESS TYPEFederal officialTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
- Alicia SkolroodExecutive Director, Integrated External Networks, Office of Integrated Veteran Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWITNESS TYPEFederal officialTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearanceNO STATEMENT POSTED
A group of witnesses who testify and take questions together.
- John VickExecutive Director, Concerned Veterans for AmericaWITNESS TYPENon-governmentalTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
- Dr. Rachel Madley, Ph.D.Executive Director, Center for Health and DemocracyWITNESS TYPENon-governmentalTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
A group of witnesses who testify and take questions together.
- Richard ToppingAssistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWITNESS TYPENot listedTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearanceNO STATEMENT POSTED
In the news
No news coverage of this hearing yet.
Timeline & documents
- Hearing noticed (done)JAN 15
- Held (done)JAN 22 · 10:15 AM – 1:45 PM
- Video posted (done)JAN 22 · 1:45 PM
- Written testimony posted (done)JAN 20 · 10:18 AM
- Questions for the record posted (done)FEB 3
- Printed transcript (done)PUBLISHED AUG 31
- Meeting noticePDF (opens the committee’s file)
- Written testimony (3)PAGE (opens the committee’s file)
- Statements for the record (2)PAGE (opens the committee’s file)
- Questions for the record (3)PAGE (opens the committee’s file)
- TranscriptPDF (opens the committee’s file)
- Printed transcriptPDF (opens the committee’s file)
Written follow-up questions from members, answered after the hearing. are posted. The printed transcript is out.

