The U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs convened on May 15, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with a strong focus on operational inefficiencies and staffing challenges. A key highlight of the meeting was the urgent call for a comprehensive overhaul of the VA's payroll and human resources systems, which are currently spread across 60 locations, leading to unnecessary complexity and inefficiency.

One committee member emphasized the need for centralization, stating, "We don't need them all over the place," and pointed out that the current structure has ballooned to include hundreds of employees, which is not sustainable. The discussion revealed that the VA's oversight system, established in the 1990s, has expanded significantly beyond its intended staffing levels, complicating operations rather than streamlining them.

The committee also scrutinized the VA's numerous call centers, with over 200 dedicated to various services, questioning their effectiveness in improving veteran care. The member argued for a shift towards having more frontline workers directly involved in patient care rather than being bogged down by administrative tasks. "Frontline workers should be the happiest at the VA right now because we're gonna be freeing them up to do their job," they stated, highlighting the need for a more efficient operational model.

In addition to operational concerns, the meeting touched on the impact of staffing cuts on VA employees. A representative raised alarms about the potential downsizing of staff, which could exacerbate existing morale issues among employees dedicated to serving veterans. They noted that nearly 80% of VA employees are union members, emphasizing the importance of collective bargaining rights in maintaining a supportive work environment.

The committee also discussed the ongoing challenges with the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program, which has faced significant delays since its inception in 2017. While plans to roll out the new system at 13 sites by 2026 were announced, concerns lingered about the remaining 51 sites that still require implementation.

As the meeting concluded, the committee underscored the importance of refocusing the VA's mission to deliver the best care for veterans, with a commitment to addressing the systemic issues that have long plagued the department. The discussions set the stage for potential reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and improving the overall experience for both veterans and VA employees.