Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB55

Introduced
1/24/23  

Caption

VA medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline Act or the VACANT Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to comply with certain notification and staffing requirements when a VA medical center director is on detail. Not later than 90 days after detailing a director of a VA medical center to a different position within the VA, the VA must notify Congress with specified information about the detail (e.g., the location of the detail). Additionally, the VA must appoint an individual as acting director not later than 120 days after detailing a director to a different position. The VA must regularly update Congress regarding the status of the detail. Generally, not later than 180 days after detailing a director to a different position, the VA must return the individual to the position as director or reassign the individual from the position and begin the process of hiring a new director. This requirement may be waived for a limited amount of time, but the VA must submit to Congress a justification for the waiver.

Impact

The VACANT Act is designed to ensure accountability and transparency within the VA's administrative processes. By requiring timely notifications and updates regarding the status of directors who are reassigned, the bill seeks to mitigate disruptions in hospital administration and services provided to veterans. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for regular communication with Congress regarding staffing situations that bear significant implications for veterans' healthcare services.

Summary

Senate Bill 55, titled the 'VA Medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline Act' (VACANT Act), aims to establish formal procedures regarding the detailing of directors from medical centers within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This legislation mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify both the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs within 90 days of detailing a medical center director to a new position, including relevant information on the director's new location, position title, and estimated absence time. Furthermore, the Secretary would be required to appoint an acting director within 120 days of such detailing, thereby ensuring continuity in leadership at affected medical centers.

Contention

One point of contention surrounding SB55 may arise from the waiver provisions that allow the Secretary to extend the detailing time frame beyond the stipulated boundaries, potentially impacting the stability of medical center leadership. The Secretary is permitted to waive the returning or reassigning requirement for a cumulative maximum of 540 days if justifications are provided to Congress. Critics might argue that this could result in prolonged vacancies in leadership that could be detrimental to operations, while proponents would likely defend it as a necessary flexibility to adapt to varying circumstances.

Companion Bills

US HB693

Identical bill VACANT Act VA medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline Act

US SB10

Related bill VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023 This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel matters and the training, recruitment, and retention of VA health care employees. Among other requirements, the VA must expand various staff training efforts and programs; comply with certain notification and staffing requirements when a VA medical center director is on detail; prescribe a system of pay for individuals appointed as directors of medical centers and directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks; and establish a consolidated annual leave account for certain VA employees with restored leave during 2020, 2021, and 2022. The bill also authorizes the VA to waive pay limitations for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who are performing mission critical work; increases the maximum amount of incentive pay for pharmacist executives; modifies the special pay authority for nurse executives and the administration of pay for VA physicians, podiatrists, optometrists, and dentists; authorizes a waiver of certain licensure requirements for psychologists and mental health counselors in certain circumstances; requires the Inspector General of the VA to study and report on the use of direct hire authority, the contributions made by the use of such authority, and any vulnerabilities or inconsistencies with respect to the use of such authority; includes VA police officers as law enforcement officers for purposes of the federal retirement system; and requires the Government Accountability Office to report on human resources modernization conducted by the VHA.

US SB2745

Related bill Veterans Affairs Peer Review Neutrality Act of 2023

US HB8371

Related bill Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act Housing our Military Veterans Effectively Act of 2024

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