Bipartisan Legislation Passes House to Improve Patient Safety at VA Health Care Facilities

Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) led a bipartisan effort to introduce and pass the Veterans' Camera Reporting (VCR) Act, a legislation aimed at improving patient safety at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care facilities. The bill, which has the Senate companion version introduced by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), comes in response to the recent tragic events at the Clarksburg VA Medical Center, where an employee murdered eight veterans. The bill seeks to increase transparency and oversight at VA health care facilities by boosting the use of video cameras for patient safety.

Key Takeaways:

• The House passed the Veterans' Camera Reporting (VCR) Act (H.R. 1510) on May 19, 2021, with the aim of improving care at VA health care facilities through increased use of video cameras for patient safety.
• The bill was introduced in response to the tragic murders of eight veterans at the Clarksburg VA Medical Center, including Retired Army Sergeant Felix McDermott from southwestern Pennsylvania.
• Congressman Reschenthaler (R-PA) led the bipartisan effort, joined by Representatives David B. McKinley (R-WV), David Trone (D-MD), Mike Bost (R-IL), Carol Miller (R-WV), and Alex Mooney (R-WV).
• The bill will provide an additional safety measure for veterans, staff, and visitors, increasing transparency and oversight at VA health care facilities.
• The passage of this legislation comes one week after the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report faulting the Clarksburg VA facility for multiple failures that resulted in the tragic event.
• The VCR Act will provide an essential first step in ensuring that veterans receive the proper health care by increasing cameras in VA health care facilities and preventing future incidents of suspicious behavior.

Statistics:

• 8 veterans were murdered at the Clarksburg VA Medical Center in a tragic event that led to the introduction of the VCR Act.
• The Clarksburg VA facility was faulted for multiple failures by the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) in a report issued one week before the passage of the VCR Act.
• The VCR Act was passed by the House with bipartisan support, demonstrating the urgent need for improved patient safety at VA health care facilities.
• The bill requires increased use of video cameras for patient safety, aiming to prevent future incidents of suspicious behavior and improve transparency and oversight at VA health care facilities.
• 5 representatives from both parties introduced the VCR Act: Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Congressman David B. McKinley (R-WV), Congressman David Trone (D-MD), Congressman Mike Bost (R-IL), and Congressman Alex Mooney (R-WV).

Sources:

• "Rep. Guy Reschenthaler Introduces Veterans' Camera Reporting Act to Improve Patient Safety at VA Facilities" by Congressman Guy Reschenthaler, May 19, 2021.
• "Veterans' Camera Reporting Act" by U.S. House of Representatives, May 19, 2021.
• "VA Medical Centers Urged to Increase Use of Cameras for Patient Safety" by U.S. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, 2021.