Home California Congressman McNerney Introduces Bill to Expedite Construction of VA Facilities

Congressman McNerney Introduces Bill to Expedite Construction of VA Facilities

by ECT

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Washington, D.C. – Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-09) has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow construction to begin on a number of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities around the nation, such as the outpatient clinic to be built in French Camp, California.

Rep. McNerney’s bill, The Jumpstarting VA Construction Act of 2014, creates a pilot program at the VA that would allow the agency to partner with non-federal entities to initiate and manage the construction of facilities at sites where Congress has already allocated funding and where design work has already been completed, but construction has not yet begun.

“Veterans in our region have waited long enough for the French Camp facility to be built,” said Rep. McNerney. “Just yesterday I drove with a veteran who lives in my district to a routine appointment in Palo Alto. I experienced first-hand how inconvenient and time-consuming it is for our veterans to see a doctor. It was a nearly eight hour day for a single half-hour appointment. This is only one example of why we need to build French Camp now.”

According to multiple Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports, the current VA construction process has been plagued by delays, cost overruns, and mismanagement. For example, the VA’s five current major construction projects are a combined more than $1.5 billion over budget. In addition, according to The Independent Budget (which is put together each budget year by a consortium of national Veterans Service Organizations), at the current rate that the VA is able to manage construction, it would take over 60 years to complete all the projects on its waiting list.

“We made a promise to our veterans that they would have access to quality health care after their service to our nation,” said Rep. McNerney. “My bill helps us fulfill that promise by making sure we build top quality facilities in places where there is a need. This pilot program will put construction management in the hands of local entities that are accustomed to taking on large projects. My plan will put people to work and allow local governments and businesses to invest in our economy and our veterans.”

The pilot program would require the VA to identify 10 construction projects, including four community-based outpatient clinics, four seismic-related projects, and two that the VA Secretary can choose. The VA would enter into a partnership, on a competitive basis, with a non-federal entity (state, municipal government, flood control district, port authority, etc.) that would take the lead on construction. The non-federal entity could raise capital for the construction project, to be reimbursed by the VA within 10 years. The pilot program lasts for 10 years.

Rep. McNerney’s bill has drawn support from national Veterans Service Organizations, including the American Legion and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger wrote a letter to the Congressman in support of the bill, saying in part:

“The management of VA’s construction projects has been in sore need of reform, and your legislation will help ensure that these projects receive a vital, outside infusion of insight and energy to tackle these tasks…Veterans deserve to have their hospitals and clinics built on time and under budget… The American Legion supports this legislation and applauds your leadership in addressing this issue facing the VA management.”

 

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1 comment

Chuck Jul 10, 2014 - 5:33 pm

Thank you Congressman McNerney. The vets that have served need better care than they have been getting. Next, please clean house on the fraudulent VA employees. I’m sure there are many honest decent citizens that would love to have a job.

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