WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of Congress are blasting the Department of Veterans Affairs for failing to warn them about a budget crisis that could force the shutdown of some VA hospitals next month.
The VA said last week it may shutter hospitals unless Congress closes a $2.5 billion shortfall caused by a sharp increase in demand by veterans for health care, including costly treatments for hepatitis C.
Rep. Jeff Miller, the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs committee, said Wednesday he was shocked at the magnitude of the VA’s problems and outraged that Congress was not notified until nearly 10 months into the budget year.
Miller, a Florida Republican, told VA Secretary Robert McDonald that the budget woes should have been anticipated months earlier, saying “someone took their eye off the ball here.â€
- Department of Veterans Affairs