CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today visited the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Clarksburg, W.Va., where she joined Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and U.S. Rep. David McKinley (W.Va.-01).
“The bottom line is we must address the abject failures at the Clarksburg VA to ensure a tragedy like this can never happen again,” Senator Capito said. “It will take a unified approach, with everyone’s commitment from the top down, to better serve those who gave so much to our country. I appreciate Secretary McDonough taking the time to come to West Virginia today to see firsthand the policies, procedures, and action items that need to be put in place to regain the trust of our veterans and provide a safe, high-quality health care environment.”
BACKGROUND:
Since the news broke regarding the Clarksburg VA tragedies, Senator Capito has remained in close contact with those involved in this investigation to ensure that the victims of the families involved receive answers and to make sure situations like this do not occur in the future.
In December 2020, Senator Capito’s bill, the Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act of 2019, was signed into law. The Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act of 2019 will require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to submit detailed reports on patient safety and quality of care at VA Medical Centers (VAMC). The law ensures that Congress, Veterans, and their families are fully informed on the policies and procedures in place across the VA nationally.
In February 2021, Senator Capito helped introduce the Ensuring Quality Care for Our Veterans Act. This legislation would require that every health care provider hired by the Department of Veterans Affairs with a revoked license undergoes a third party review of that provider’s care. If the review determines that a competent practitioner would have managed the veteran’s care differently, the veteran will be notified.
In March 2021, Senator Capito introduced legislation that would require the VA Secretary to submit to Congress a report on the use of security cameras in VA medical centers. Specifically, this bill would provide the Senate with insight on the utilization of security cameras at VA medical centers across the country so we can better-determine how to tackle this issue and ensure patient safety.
Senator Capito’s full statement on Reta Mays sentencing is available here.
Senator Capito’s full statement on the VA Office of Inspector General report is available here.
Photos from today’s event:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participates in a roundtable discussion with Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough at the Clarksburg VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, W.Va. on Monday, May 17, 2021.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participates in a press conference at the Clarksburg VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, W.Va. on Monday, May 17, 2021.
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