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Incoming Chairman Plans On Making Changes In The VA

January 13, 2011 - Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) is the new Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Rep. Jeff Miller is a Republican, and concerned about the incredible amount of money the House gave to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under the previous Chairman, Bob Filner, a Democrat. Intended to be used for improved veteran benefits and health care, the House, under Bob Filner, directed tens of billions of dollars to the VA and boosted the VA's annual budget to $125 billion.

Not only is Rep. Miller interested in tracking how that money was spent, he wants to use that information to get a better overview of how the VA spends the money it receives in its budget. Whereas Miller believes Filner threw money at veterans' problems, he plans on using a tighter focus with a more efficient mindset to help veterans.

Miller believes the VA is above Congressional oversight, and he plans on changing that, despite the incredible size of the VA. At the same time, he plans on addressing the costs at which many services are provided to veterans, while continuing to provide the highest quality services. Miller cited many problems, ranging from disability claims backlogs to millions of dollars of diverted funds that he believes can be corrected through proper oversight.

Despite his planned changes, Miller's one focus seems to be providing veterans the best possible care, even if that care isn't directly provided by the VA. Although imposed oversight usually makes things more difficult at the time, if the end result is better care for veterans for less money, the gain is worth the sacrifice.