H.R. 467 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the director of each medical facility of the department certify annually that the facility is in full compliance with the laws and regulations pertaining to scheduling medical appointments. That requirement would codify VA’s current practice, as specified under Directive 2010-027. The bill also would prohibit VA from paying bonuses to senior staff in facilities that are not able to certify such compliance. CBO expects that few, if any, bonuses would be denied under this provision.
In addition, the bill would require VA to ensure that directives and policies are being implemented in a uniform manner across the department. To accomplish that requirement, CBO expects VA would distribute regular guidance through electronic correspondence. On that basis, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 467 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2018-2022 period; any such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
Enacting H.R. 467 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 467 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
