| D-Day and the VA MISSION Act: The 6th of June is an important anniversary for veterans, military families and freedom-loving patriots. This year, it marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. As we honor the sacrifices of veterans who took part in the “great crusade” to liberate Europe from the Nazis, it is also worth reflecting on how our nation keeps honors its obligation to provide access to quality health care for those who served.
That’s particularly true because the 6th of June is also the 6th anniversary of the passage of the VA MISSION Act, the most important policy win for veteran’s health care in a generation. The MISSION Act was a response to the infamous Phoenix VA Wait Time scandal of 2014, and passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress and expanded the health care options of millions by creating the Veterans Community Care Program, which empowers veterans to use their VA benefits either at VA-run facilities or at private, “community care” providers when the travel distance or wait time for a VA appointment is too high.
This MISSION Act anniversary, CVA is thanking legislators for supporting expanding veterans’ health care choice while also calling attention to the ongoing threats to these care options from a VA that seeks to limit veterans’ access to alternatives.
VA Bonus Scandal 2.0: Recent revelations that the VA improperly awarded around $11 million in unwarranted performance bonuses to senior executives shows why more oversight and accountability for the VA is essential. A recent VA Office of Inspector General report, covered here by The Washington Post shows us why accountability towards the VA matters.
The VA Undersecretary of Health Shareef Elnahal approved more than 180 undeserved bonuses to senior executives, including at least 10 that reported directly to him which he lacked authority to give bonuses to. Undersecretary Elnahal is already notorious for telling VA staff in a training session that they should steer more veterans to VA facilities and "press the easy button less with community care” despite the MISSION Act’s requirements. When asked about the bonus fiasco, Elnahal first claimed he had no recollection of approving so many bonuses and then changed his story to investigators in a follow-up interview, claiming that he quickly reviewed the bonus list on his phone while travelling and did not see the whole list.
In either case, these events prove that the officials who approved these bonuses no longer deserve the trust of the American people, and CVA has called on them to resign. Read CVA’s statement here.
Today, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough will appear before House lawmakers to testify on improper benefits awarded to dozens of senior department officials as congressional concerns mount regarding the unfolding scandal. | 
