Lawmakers are working to hold the VA medical system accountable for issues frustrating many Oklahoma veterans.
Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford introducing an amendment to an appropriations bill.
The amendment will add $18 million to hire outside investigators and auditors to check on problem areas at local offices and hospitals.
It will also give regional offices authority to act on any suggestions, like firing or institutional changes.
A task that is normally channeled through a complicated bureaucratic process.
“We want to provide more accountability in obvious areas that need to be fixed and when we identify these areas how are we checking on them to make sure these areas are being corrected,” Lankford said.
Sen. Lankford says he is still fighting for other changes at the VA. He eventually wants veterans to be able to use their benefits at any hospital or medical office.
