Changes at VA Still Pending

Among the more immediate tasks for Congress is working out the differences between VA reform bills that passed both chambers by wide margins. A major issue is a CBO cost estimate showing potentially high costs of one provision, allowing veterans to get care outside the VA system on a reimbursable basis. Tied to that is language in the Senate version, but not the House version, paving the way for faster and more hiring of doctors and other medical personnel, also at an added cost. Conferees largely agree, however, that the bill must contain provisions making it easier to fire or demote VA SES employees on performance grounds–the main question is whether any appeal rights will be retained. Even if some are, there would be a departure from normal civil service protections; employee organizations warn that there would be pressure to apply the same policies to SES employees government-wide. That could then spill down to lower levels as well, they say. Also, the bill almost certainly will clamp down on performance awards at VA, the main question being how broadly, which also is viewed as a precedent.