WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) – ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – today provided opening remarks during a committee hearing with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough to review the President’s FY2025 Budget Request for the VA.

“Congress, and this committee, have a long track record of working in a bipartisan manner to provide the VA with the resources it requires,” said Sen. Moran. “This committee has worked to address major challenges veterans face, including streamlining access to disability compensation and providing health care for veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service. It is up to the VA workforce and leadership to faithfully execute the legislation passed by Congress and deliver the care and benefits our veterans rely on.”

Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran’s Opening Remarks

Sen. Moran’s Full Remarks as Prepared for Delivery:

“Thank you, Chairman Tester, and welcome to Secretary McDonough and our VSO witnesses.

“I look forward to discussing VA’s budget request and what resources VA needs to deliver care and benefits to our nation’s veterans.

“Congress, and this committee, have a long track record of working in a bipartisan manner to provide VA with the resources it requires. 

“This committee has worked to address major challenges veterans face, including streamlining access to disability compensation and providing health care for veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service.

“It is up to the VA workforce and leadership to faithfully execute the legislation passed by Congress and deliver the care and benefits our veterans rely on.

“I know many VA employees in Kansas and across the country who selflessly serve our nation’s veterans.

“However, I hear from VA employees that, despite record hiring and retention last year, the VA still faces staffing shortages which are straining the workforce and increasing wait times for veterans.

“VA leaders have repeatedly said there is not a hiring freeze, but that is not the message that VA facilities across the country have received.

“In contrast, VA has noted that community care costs are rising too rapidly, and VA facilities must recapture care from the community.

“The VA is also expecting to reduce 10,000 employees in the direct care system, yet VA’s system for assessing medical center performance for veterans shows a “meaningful decline” in access across the VHA.

“Mr. Secretary, I hope this afternoon we can have a frank discussion on these conflicting messages.

“Veterans deserve the right to decide when, where and how they seek the care they need. I remain committed to making certain they continue to have the opportunity to make informed choices about their own health care.

“VA has a responsibility to consistently provide veterans with timely information and approvals to improve veterans’ experiences when seeking care.

“Non-VA emergency care costs are the biggest driver of increased community care costs. Yet, the department has not articulated a strategy to address emergency care spending.

“Additionally, I would like to know the impact of VA’s decision to delay preventative care and cancel appointments during the pandemic and how that may now be impacting on the current increased demand for emergency care.

“I look forward to our discussion today.”

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