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Committee debates Recovery Act grants amid concerns they could duplicate VA services
Summary
Members and witnesses debated the Recovery Act, a proposal to fund grants to nonprofit outpatient providers to expand mental-health and nutrition services for veterans. Ranking Member Brownlee warned the bill could "siphon" VA funds and allow grantees to bill VA community care and other insurers unless stronger guardrails are added; VA and stakeholders urged revisions to ensure oversight and outcomes reporting.
Chairwoman Miller Meeks opened the House Committee on Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing saying the agenda included a set of bills to "improve the lives of our nation's veterans" including the Recovery Act, a discussion draft to fund community grants for mental-health and nutrition services.
Ranking Member Brownlee said the Recovery Act and related bills risked redirecting limited VA resources to outside providers with "fewer guardrails," arguing the measure could allow a grantee to receive grant funds while also billing VA community care and private insurers. Brownlee said the result could be "triple dip" reimbursement and…
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