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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement regarding the decision by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to revise previously proposed rules regarding 501c4 organizations:
“I applaud the decision by Commissioner Koskinen. I have said repeatedly that in order to help restore the public’s trust in the IRS, this rule needed to be scrapped immediately and permanently. The IRS exercises great authority over the taxpayers of this country, and all Americans have the right to believe that the agency is operating in a fair, neutral and appropriate manner. No matter one’s political affiliations, the First Amendment rights of Americans and their ability to participate in the political process must be respected and defended.”
In February, Sen. Moran joined Sens. Flake, Roberts and more than 30 of his Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to put a stop to the blatant political targeting by the IRS. The bill would return the IRS standards and definitions to exactly how they were written on January 1, 2010 – the date prior to when the agency’s inappropriate targeting began.
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Sen. Moran Responds to President Obama VA Remarks
"There is a difference between wanting change and leading it to happen."
May 21 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released the following statement today in response to President Obama’s press conference following a meeting with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki:
“It took one month since news broke of the secret wait lists and veteran deaths at a Phoenix VA hospital for Americans to hear from the Commander in Chief. Every day that we have waited for President Obama and Secretary Shinseki to show leadership, new complaints and concerns poured in from whistleblowers, veterans and veteran family members across the country. These reports are symptoms of the systemic dysfunction within the VA system that has been developing for years – yet the White House says they only just learned about them on television. The President echoed Secretary Shinseki in stating that action will be taken if the ‘allegations prove to be true.’ The fact is, many of these cases are not new – they have already been investigated and substantiated in years past, yet no action has been taken. There is a difference between wanting change and leading it to happen.”
“I continue to demand accountability and true transformation within the VA system in its culture from top to bottom and all across the country. In the absence of dramatic change at the VA, it is clear that we are not prepared for the servicemen and women who are returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and we are not capable of caring for our aging veterans as we promised we would and as every American knows we should. We should not rest until our veterans have a Department of Veterans Affairs worthy of their service and sacrifice.”
Sen. Moran: VA Office of Medical Inspector Was Required to Submit Investigation Reports to VA Secretary
May 21 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, is raising questions about why U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki has such limited knowledge of reports on investigations by the Office of the Medical Inspector (OMI) into allegations of wrongdoing at VA facilities. According to a January 2011 directive from the Veterans Heath Administration (VHA), the OMI must provide each report for transmission to the VA Secretary including a copy of the final report, fact sheet, strategic communication review summarizing the results of OMI’s investigation and information on any personnel actions recommended or taken.
“I question how Sec. Shinseki could have limited knowledge of the Office of Medical Inspector reports and investigations into VA failures when the OMI is required to prepare reports on each investigation for the VA Secretary,” Sen. Moran said. “How can so many different offices within the VA be made aware of reports without the senior-most leader also having knowledge?”
When questioned in the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee last Thursday about his knowledge of past OMI reports on investigations of VA facilities – including the Jackson VA Medical Center, the Fort Collins Community Based Outpatient Clinic and the Cheyenne VA Medical Center – Sec. Shinseki either denied being aware or acknowledged only recently learning of the reports based on news stories. In addition, Sec. Shinseki stated that he is waiting on the findings of new investigations by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) before he will take action and would not commit to whether administrative action means removal of personnel. It is unclear what criteria the VA uses to task either the OMI or the OIG with conducting investigations into VA wrongdoing.
“If the past is an indicator, I’m not confident these new reports will lead to any action. It’s what the VA does with the findings that matters,” Sen. Moran continued. “
In addition to the VA Secretary, the VHA directive – which does not expired until Jan. 31, 2016 – requires that the OMI distribute all final reports to at least nine other VA offices, including: Under Secretary for Health; Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health; Deputy Under Secretary of Health for Operations and Management; Office of Quality and Safety; Office of Performance Management; Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy and Services; Freedom of Information Act Officer (FOIA); VA Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs; Office of Healthcare Inspections, VA Office of the Inspector General; and any other offices or facilities responsible for policy related to the report or for carrying out any part of the action plan. Additionally, OMI is directed to provide a copy of each final report to the Chairs of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.
According to OMI, their Blue Cover Reports contain conclusions and recommendations for improvement, based on findings from a case investigation or national assessment. The OMI’s recommendations may be for an individual facility, a Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) or all of VHA. The Under Secretary for Health approves all OMI final reports, and in response to a final report, VA facilities, VISNs and VHA program offices – as appropriate – prepare action plans to address report recommendations.
Unlike reports from the OIG, OMI reports are not made public and have not been previously released to Members of Congress, making it is impossible to know whether the VA has taken action to implement the OMI’s recommendations for improvement in each case. As mentioned in the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing last Thursday, Sen. Moran plans to introduce legislation this week to make certain the findings of the OMI are released to the public and Congress so the full scope of the VA’s dysfunction cannot be disguised.
Sen. Moran has been a member of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees for 18 years, chaired the Health Subcommittee in the House for two years, and has worked with nine VA Secretaries. The hearing followed Sen. Moran’s call for Secretary Shinseki to resign amidst ongoing systemic dysfunction within the VA.
To subscribe to Sen. Moran’s newsletter, visit his website at https://www.moran.senate.gov.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, three years after an EF3 tornado struck the community of Reading, Kan., U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) announced the United States Postal Service (USPS) is seeking 700 square feet to accommodate a new post office for their community.
“Three years ago today, a tornado struck Reading causing destruction to homes and businesses – including the community’s Main Post Office,” Sen. Moran said. “Since then, I have worked closely with Mayor Sorensen and other community leaders to convey the importance of rebuilding to USPS. I am encouraged we were able to find a solution that will accommodate a new post office, and look forward to continued progress to restore vital services to Reading.”
Sen. Moran first brought this matter to the attention of Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe during a U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Hearing in fall 2011. Sen. Moran continued to follow-up with USPS, and earlier this month spoke with USPS management to emphasize the need for regular postal services. The USPS will hold a community meeting on Friday, May 23, at 5 p.m. in the Community Building for citizens of Reading to receive information about the proposal and provide input.
Sen. Moran has consistently worked to make certain USPS understands the importance of postal services in rural communities. During the 112th Congress, Sen. Moran voted in favor of the 21st Century Postal Reform Act, which would have protected critical USPS services by considering alternatives prior to closing any post office. Unfortunately, the House did not act and postal reform never made it to the President’s desk for his signature.
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Sen. Moran Raises Concerns About Shinseki's Discretion and VA Office of Medical Inspector Reports
May 20 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, is raising concerns about whether the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has strategically used the Office of the Medical Inspector (OMI) to conduct investigations into allegations of wrongdoing at VA facilities knowing the findings would not be released to the public. Unlike reports from the Office of the Inspector General (IG), OMI reports are not made public or released to Congress. Sen. Moran plans to introduce legislation this week to make certain the findings of the OMI are made public so the full scope of the VA’s dysfunction cannot be disguised.
"An important component of an investigation at the Department of Veterans Affairs would be the Office of the Medical Inspector reports,” Sen. Moran said at Thursday’s Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing. “One of the things we’ve discovered is those are not made public and not submitted to Congress, so we don’t know the results of those types of audits, investigations or reviews. I’m pursing legislation to change that so we can see what a report says – excise the names and keep the confidentiality of patients – and see if a recommendation is followed."
According to OMI, their Blue Cover Reports contain conclusions and recommendations for improvement, based on findings from a case investigation or national assessment. The OMI’s recommendations may be for an individual facility, a Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) or all of VHA. The Under Secretary for Health approves all OMI final reports, and in response to a final report, VA facilities, VISNs and VHA program offices – as appropriate – prepare action plans to address report recommendations. VHA policy requires that the Secretary of the VA receive a packet on each report from the Under Secretary for Health including the final report. Because OMI reports are not available to the public and have not been previously released to Congress, it is impossible to know whether the VA has taken action to implement the OMI’s recommendations for improvement in each case.
For example, the same Cheyenne VA Medical Center under fire for wait-list manipulation after a whistleblower leaked an email shedding light on the violations being committed was already the subject of an Office of the Medical Inspector report in December 2013. That report already investigated and substantiated claims of improper scheduling practices, and passed them along to the Office of Special Counsel, but the report was only leaked after the whistleblower went public this month. It is still unclear if any action was taken at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center based on the OMI findings in 2013.
It is also unclear what criteria the VA uses to select either the Office of the Medical Inspector or the Office of the Inspector General with conducting investigations into VA wrongdoing.
"If the past is an indicator, I’m not confident these new reports will lead to any action. It’s what the VA does with the findings that matters," Sen. Moran said.
Sen. Moran’s legislation will require the VA to submit a Report to Congress on the findings and recommendations stemming from any Office of Medical Inspector report over the last three years – which were not released to Congress or the public. It will also require the VA to describe any legal or administrative action taken against employees who should not be serving veterans and whether such action was followed through.
Sen. Moran has been a member of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees for 18 years, chaired the Health Subcommittee in the House for two years, and has worked with nine VA Secretaries. The hearing followed Sen. Moran’s call for Secretary Shinseki to resign amidst ongoing systemic dysfunction within the VA system.
YOUTUBE: Click here to watch his remarks on YouTube.
To subscribe to Sen. Moran’s newsletter, visit his website at https://www.moran.senate.gov.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the resignation of Dr. Robert Petzel, the undersecretary for health at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
“News of Undersecretary Petzel’s resignation is not a surprise as he was expected to retire in the near future,” Sen. Moran said. “However, it is evidence of the dysfunction at the VA. It is important to note that Undersecretary Petzel was the only VA witness at the Senate VA Committee hearing who admitted knowledge of IG reports – he should not shoulder the blame for VA’s failures. Rather than the VA focusing on damage control, action should be taken immediately to change the bureaucratic culture of mediocrity at the VA and ensure the highest quality and most timely care for our nation’s heroes.”
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Sen. Moran, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today shared the experiences of veterans in Kansas and all across the country. He specially focused on feedback from personnel at the Jackson, Mississippi, Veterans Affairs Medical Center who were visited by VA staff on Monday as part of what VA Secretary Eric Shinseki called the “nationwide, face-to-face audit” of the VA system. The feedback about their experience speaks to Sen. Moran’s concerns that the nationwide audit is simply damage control, and not truly a comprehensive and sincere look at the magnitude of the problems at hand.
Sen. Moran to Sec. Shinseki: VA Audit Is Damage Control
“This seems to me to be more damage control than solving the problem….What we need is action based on information we already have.”
May 15 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today told Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki that he believes the “nationwide, face-to-face audit” of the VA system Sec. Shinseki announced last week simply damage control, and not truly a comprehensive and sincere look at the magnitude of the problems at hand.
“The idea that you can conduct ‘system-wide…review’ of the VA using 220 VA employees and visiting 153 medical facilities. Mr. Secretary, we have 1700 VA points of access to care. I don’t see a review that lasts two weeks…as capable of providing information… This seems to me to be more damage control than solving the problem… What we need is action based on information we already have.”
It was discovered this week that what was billed by Sec. Shinseki as a “nationwide review” beginning on May 8, is in fact not being conducted by the VA Inspector General or the VA Medical Inspector General. Instead, the so-called “face-to-face audit” is led by approximately 220 VA employees who are apparently visiting 153 medical facilities and a few large Community Based Outpatient Clinics. These facilities make up less than 10 percent of the 1700 Veterans Health Administration “points of care” across this country.
Sen. Moran has been a member of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees for 18 years, chaired the Health Subcommittee in the House for two years, and has worked with nine VA Secretaries. The hearing followed Sen. Moran’s call for Secretary Shinseki to resign amidst ongoing systemic dysfunction within the VA system.
FTP LINK: Click here to download Sen. Moran’s full opening statement at the Senate VA Committee hearing. (Save to your desktop.)
YOUTUBE: Click here to watch his remarks on YouTube.
On Friday, May 9, 2014, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, spoke to Kansas radio stations about his call for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign amidst ongoing dysfunction within the VA system. This is the first time in his 18 years of service on Capitol Hill that Sen. Moran has called for the resignation of a sitting cabinet secretary. Amidst the systemic failure and culture of mediocrity within the VA system, Sen. Moran is convinced dramatic top-to-bottom change is needed at the Department in order for veterans to receive the care they were promised.
