Press Releases

Washington, D.C.—November 18, 2024…Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which includes Congressman Steve Womack’s (AR-3) legislation, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline (VACANT) Act.  The VACANT Act ensures the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers have the senior leadership they need to provide the oversight and accountability veterans deserve. The measure is the House companion to Senator John Boozman’s (R-AR) bill and is a direct response to the Fayetteville VA Medical Center’s experience of being without a permanent medical director for nearly two years.

Congressman Womack said, “Without proper leadership at the top, veterans won’t receive the top-quality care they’ve earned and rely on. That’s why my friend, Senator Boozman, and I have worked to deliver proper oversight and accountability at VA medical centers to ensure those who’ve worn America’s uniform receive the highest standard of care. By receiving approval from my colleagues in the House, we’ve taken a critical step forward in making the VACANT Act law.”

Senator Boozman said, “Our veterans deserve high quality care and a system that is not complacent when it comes to oversight and management. The VACANT Act will help ensure VA medical centers do not go without adequate leadership, because accountability leads to better performance. I thank Congressman Womack for his efforts to pass this legislation through the House and will continue working to advance it in the Senate.”

The VACANT Act requires the VA to:

• Notify the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees within 90 days of a medical center director vacancy due to VA internal detail.
• Appoint an Acting Director no less than 120 days after detailing a medical center director.
• Fill an open director position through the return of the detailed director or a new hire process within 180 days.