Rep. Tracey Mann introduces legislation addressing VA supply chain issues

Washington, D.C. - Last week, U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Mike Bost (IL-12), Matt Rosendale (MN-AL), and Jack Bergman (MI-01) introduced The VA Supply Chain Management System Authorization Act. The legislation will authorize and set up parameters for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to acquire a medical supply chain management system. The bill requires the system to be fully implemented within three years and requires the new system to focus on the medical supply chain, ensuring that the VA isn’t taking on more than it can manage. 

"Unfortunately, the VA has struggled to manage its medical supply chain in recent years due to outdated IT systems," said Rep.Mann. "Previous attempts to replace this outdated system have failed due to the selection of systems that are too large and ill-suited for the VA. The VA Supply Chain Management System Authorization Act, which I introduced last week, would modernize the VA’s medical supply chain management system ensuring that veterans receive medical care and prescriptions promptly. This bill also ensures the new IT system has a specific and narrow focus to avoid repeating past mistakes. Veterans put their lives on the line in defense of our freedoms. They shouldn’t be left waiting for prescriptions due to antiquated IT systems."

Background:

In September, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization held a joint hearing examining major acquisition failures at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The hearing discussed several large VA information technology (IT) projects which have stumbled in the past because they were excessively large, or their requirements were unclear. The VA Supply Chain Management System Authorization Act would provide clarity by limiting the scope of such projects and setting performance objectives. 

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

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