Tammy developed a three-point plan to cut bureaucratic red tape, increase oversight of contractors like HealthNet, and streamline scheduling.
Increase oversight of contractors operating under the VA Choice Program.
Occurrences
Evidence
Senator Baldwin's bipartisan reforms passed the Senate as part of the VA MISSION Act of 2018, which includes measures to improve care for veterans and strengthen safety measures and guidelines for private providers to prescribe opioids to veterans.
Senator Baldwin joined a bipartisan group of senators in calling for action following incidents of inadequate care or mistreatment of veterans at VA medical facilities, emphasizing the need for systemic improvements and oversight.
Senator Baldwin co-sponsored the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, aiming to reform the VA by better protecting whistleblowers and providing the VA Secretary with stronger measures to discipline and hold employees accountable.
Senator Baldwin expressed serious concern regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' proposed restructuring of the Veterans Health Administration, which includes staff reductions that could weaken access to timely, high-quality care for veterans.
Assessments
Senator Baldwin made multiple efforts to increase oversight of contractors and care standards within the VA Choice Program, including sponsoring and supporting relevant legislation (such as the VA MISSION Act and Accountability Act) and advocating for enhanced oversight in public statements and bipartisan initiatives. However, the available evidence primarily references oversight improvements generally across the VA system and oversight of private providers, rather than specifically and comprehensively increasing oversight of contractors under the VA Choice Program as a central outcome. Thus, the promise is partially fulfilled through legislative and advocacy actions improving VA oversight overall, but not entirely specific to the contractors operating under the VA Choice Program.