Following reoccurring issues to fill Director positions at Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) introduced legislation that ensures high ranking officials at the VA are held accountable for failing to perform their jobs at the highest level.

This legislation, the Providing Leadership and Improving Veterans Care Act, prevents any bonuses to an individual at the VA who is a member of the Senior Executive Service and whose job involves the rating, ranking, or selection process for individuals to fill the position of Director at a VA Medical Facility. The prohibition on bonuses will continue until the Secretary of the VA confirms that no Medical Director vacancy has been open for more than 18 months.

“Across the country, and in our backyard in St. Louis, we have seen long-term vacancies in these important jobs which are harming the health and the care of our nation’s veterans,” Luetkemeyer said. “This legislation will help ensure that individuals involved in the selection process of a VA Medical Director are held accountable to do their job in a timely manner. In addition, this legislation will help prevent the 34 VA medical facilities around the country currently operating without a permanent Director from providing insufficient care to our veterans due to a lack of permanent direction and leadership.”