Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today introduced the Clean Up the Department of Veterans Affairs Act; legislation that requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fire any employee who is convicted of a work-related felony or who has their medical license suspended or revoked while working at the VA. To expedite this process, the bill requires any appeal of such a termination to be adjudicated within 30 days.

The bill would also prohibit the VA from hiring or transferring any employee who has been convicted of a work-related felony conviction in the past ten years or whose medical license has been suspended or revoked.

Lastly, the Clean Up the VA Act ensures records of medical malpractice follow VA doctors and medical personnel across state lines. The bill requires that any disciplinary action against VA medical professionals be reported to each of the following:

(1)   the National Practitioner Databank
(2)   the medical licensing board in which the individual received his or her license; and
(3)   the medical licensing board in which the individual is practicing

This bill would not apply to employment programs with the VA that seek to assist veterans convicted of felonies.  

“It’s time to clean up the VA, and that starts by ridding our VA hospitals of doctors who lose their medical licenses or employees who are convicted of work-related felonies,” said Flake. “Passing this bill will go a long way in the effort to increase confidence in the VA and its ability to deliver veterans the quality care they deserve.”

Background:

• In January 2017, a majority of the Senate agreed to Flake’s amendment to the budget reconciliation to prohibit the VA from employing individuals who have been convicted of a felony and medical personnel who have ever had their medical licenses or credentials revoked or suspended. The measure was not agreed to due to a 60 vote threshold.

• On Dec. 6, 2016, Flake introduced the Clean Up the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, requiring the VA to fire any employee who has a felony conviction or whose medical license has been suspended or revoked. In addition, this legislation would prohibit the VA from hiring or transferring any employees that meet those criteria. Learn more about the bill here.

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