Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) is proposing the Veterans Health Administration reduce its number of regional medical administrative offices as part of a larger effort to streamline healthcare for veterans, Military Times reports.Burr told writer Patricia Kime these offices divert money largely towards overhead and other costs unrelated to healthcare.
The VHA currently operates 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks with nearly 1,300 staff members total.
Burr introduced legislation Thursday to reduce that number to 12 with no more than 65 full-time employees, Kime reported.
Earlier this week, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki informed a House panel of the department’s plans to expand its mental health staff.
The department plans to add 1,600 clinicians and nearly 300 support staff.
