Chapter 20 - Department of Veteran Affairs

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Rescind clinical policy directives on abortion services and gender reassignment surgery
Focus on effects of shifting veteran demographics
Codify VA MISSION Act access standards in legislation
Create a veterans bill of rights
Implement new Secretarial directives to properly implement the VA MISSION Act
Require VHA to report publicly on all aspects of its operation
Encourage VA Medical Centers to seek academic and private-sector input
Conduct an independent audit of the VA
Assess misalignment of VHA facilities and rising infrastructure costs
Embrace expansion of Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs)
Explore facility-sharing partnerships with local health systems
Extend the term of the Under Secretary for Health to five years
Establish a Senior Executive Service position of VHA Care System Chief Information Officer
Identify workflow processes to bring wait times in compliance with VA MISSION Act requirements
Assess daily clinical appointment load for physicians and staff
Require VHA facilities to increase the number of patients seen each day
Consider pilot programs to extend appointment hours and offer Saturday options
Identify clinical services in high demand and examine exceptions for higher competitive pay
Assess medical facilities where Community Care referrals are below average
Explore leveraging telehealth to reduce personnel costs
Assess recruitment and retention in competitive medical markets
Consider aggressively recruiting retired physicians
Consider expanding VA tuition assistance in exchange for service
Examine surpluses or deficits in mental health professionals
Conduct assessment of Electronic Health Record transition delays and functionality problems
Identify performance targets for benefits and report publicly on actual performance
Develop a new pilot "Express 30" commitment for veteran's first disability compensation claim
Hire more private companies to perform disability medical examinations
Increase automation in claims processing
Reduce improper payment and fraud
Explore accelerating VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) reviews
Reexamine VBA's Information Technology budget
Reform Human Capital Management process within VBA
Improve VBA acquisition workforce
Establish knowledge exchange program with private-sector companies
Recruit more innovative and technologically savvy leadership for VBA
Rescind all delegations of authority from prior administration
Transfer career Senior Executive Service out of political appointee-designated positions
Critically examine hybrid and remote work policies
Expedite acquisition of new Human Resources Information Technology system
Broaden pay and benefits in critical VA skill sets
Continue maximizing use of new VA hiring and pay authorities
Foster a culture that is mission-driven and responsive to veterans
Increase employee satisfaction to improve recruitment and retention
Train leaders to promote productive workplace culture
Focus more attention on hiring veterans and military spouses
Increase number and utilization of Limited Term Appointment Senior Executive Service positions
Manage relationship with organized labor more effectively
Work with Congress to sunset the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection
Consider decoupling Human Resources and Administration from the Office of Security and Preparedness