Business

New VA Reform Bill Is a Stopgap, Not a Solution

The Miller-Sanders legislation announced Monday should make great changes to a broken system. But don't mistake it for a comprehensive reform bill. By Jesse Sloman

Policy

Congress Clears the Way for VA to Fire Senior Executives

A new bi-partisan bill to kickstart reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs could find its way to the president's desk by the end of the week. By Eric Katz

Policy

House, Senate Committee Reaches Compromise to Reform the VA

Just days before the August recess, a conference committee reached a deal to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs with a breakthrough $17 billion bill. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

How Long Will Congress Take to Solve the VA's Problems?

Lawmakers have serious reservations about the VA's $17.6 billion request to fix the overburdened system. By Jordain Carney

Policy

A New VA Secretary Is Just One Step on a Long Road to Reform

Congress has little time before the August recess to pass a sweeping VA reform bill that will determine whether Robert McDonald succeeds where his predecessors have failed. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Here Are All the Ways Congress Is Trying to Fix the VA

The Veterans Affairs Department is, by many accounts, broken, and Congress has a lot of ideas to fix it. By Eric Katz

Business

Don't Expect the VA to Improve Overnight

The acting VA secretary told Senators it will take years to correct the department's troubled course -- but an extra $17 billion could certainly speed things up. By Jordain Carney

Business

The VA Scandal Just Keeps Spreading

Add hidden documents, improperly-processed disability claims, and at least six new offices under scrutiny to the already long list of problems facing the Department of Veterans Affairs. By Jordain Carney

Business

The VA Paid More Than $40 Million in Improper Claims Last Year

For 2 months in 2013, the Veterans Benefits Administration hurried to eliminate its disability claim backlog. That rush resulted in many costly mistakes. By Bob Brewin

Policy

Lawmakers Want Answers on the Effects of Iraq and Afghanistan's Burn Pits

Some veterans feel the health impacts of Iraq and Afghanistan burn pit exposure demand more study. Some lawmakers aren't giving up on the issue either. By Jordain Carney

Business

VA Reform's Surprising 19th Century Roots

Congress's proposal to fix the broken agency risks returning America back to its patronage-job system of President James Garfield's day. By Norm Ornstein

Policy

$50 Billion Price Tag Holds Up Congressional VA Reform

A joint House and Senate conference committee has its work cut out for it trying to trim the costs associated with getting veterans more timely care. By Stacy Kaper

Business

The Four Biggest Challenges Facing the New VA Secretary

The Department of Veterans Affairs needs badly to win back the public's trust. Here are a few ways the incoming boss can prepare for what lies ahead. By Jordain Carney

Policy

The One Thing Holding Back Congress From Fixing the VA

Everyone wants to fix the Veterans Affairs Department - but how to pay for it? By Stacy Kaper

Policy

Iraq War Veterans In Congress Mostly Urge Caution

Congress’s 17 Iraq veterans fought together, but they’re divided on another military intervention as Iraq’s security deteriorates. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Congress May Be Done Fixing the VA for the Year

After dealing with the VA reform bill, Congress will head home for summer and advocates fear they won't get to other veterans issues before elections roll around this fall. By Stacy Kaper

Business

FBI Joins Investigation Into VA Wait Times

The FBI is reviewing VA records to see if officials committed a crime by lying about wait times for medical care to receive a bonus. By Jordain Carney

Policy

House Bans Bonuses for All VA Employees Through 2016

The House voted Tuesday to stop VA bonuses for the next 3 years. However, a similar bill up for a vote in the Senate doesn't address bonuses. By Eric Katz

Policy

House Targets Firing VA Officials With Second Bill

The House passed a bill that cleared committee last August that makes it easier to fire senior department executives. By Eric Katz

Policy

Who Should Replace Shinseki?

A handy guide to the potential candidates to be the next VA secretary. By Molly O’Toole