WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) introduced the VetPAC Act to enhance the efficiency and quality of health care services provided to American veterans. The legislation creates a new Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission (VetPAC) to facilitate a transparent, expert-driven review process for the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) operations.
“American veterans deserve the best health care our nation can offer,” said Dr. Cassidy. “The VHA must be held to the highest standard, and regular reports will allow Congress to hold them to this.”
“Veterans have made unimaginable sacrifices in service to our country and it is crucial that we continue working to ensure our veterans can access the high-quality health care they deserve,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m proud to reintroduce the VetPAC Act to create a new, independent commission to address challenges within the VHA and improve health care access, delivery, and quality for our veterans.”
The VetPAC would:
- Establish a 17-member independent commission of medical experts and veterans.
- Ensure critical areas such as technology, staffing, and patient care are continuously improved.
- Mandate the commission to provide regular reports to Congress.
- Allow the commission to conduct special studies as requested by Congress.
- Direct the commission to assess the budget implication of proposed recommendations.
The VetPAC is modeled after the successful MACPAC and MedPAC. Click here for a one-pager.
Background
As a member of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Cassidy is a champion of veteran affairs issues. In January, Cassidy reintroduced the Restore VA Accountability Act to strengthen accountability by unlocking expedited disciplinary processes for VA employees who fail to adequately serve veterans.
In December 2024, the Senate passed Cassidy’s Veteran Service Organization (VSO) Equal Tax Treatment (VETT) Act, sending the bill to the president’s desk. The bill would expand the deductibility of charitable contributions to all federally chartered tax-exempt organizations serving current and former members of the Armed Forces. The Senate also unanimously passed Cassidy’s bipartisan Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act. The legislation increases access to job counseling services for spouses of members of the Armed Forces who died while on active duty through the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program at the U.S. Department of Labor.
In August 2024, Cassidy penned an op-ed in the American Press highlighting federal resources that support American veterans’ physical and mental health. The op-ed came on the heels of the 43rd National Veteran Wheelchair Games, which was hosted in New Orleans.
In 2022, the Senate unanimously passed Cassidy’s Solid Start Act to strengthen the VA’s Solid Start program to contact every veteran three times by phone in the first year after they leave active duty. The program helps connect veterans with VA programs and benefits, including mental health resources.
###