Kiggans Fights to Modernize VA Inventory Management to Improve Veteran Care and Cut Waste

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced the VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act, a bipartisan bill to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) ability to track and manage medical equipment across its healthcare facilities. The bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to test a modern, cloud-based inventory management system at one VA medical center.

Each year, the VA loses millions of dollars’ worth of medical supplies due to outdated and inefficient inventory systems—delays that have, in some cases, resulted in postponed surgeries and compromised patient care. The goal: reduce waste, increase efficiency, and ensure timely access to lifesaving medical devices for veterans.

“As a former Navy helicopter pilot and Navy wife who serves on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I understand how critical it is to build a strong foundation at the VA that ensures convenient and comprehensive care for our veterans,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “By setting a new standard for managing medical supplies and treatment equipment, this bill will help VA staff deliver timely care with the right tools—while also cutting down on waste, delays, and duplicated purchases. I’m proud to introduce the VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act to protect taxpayer dollars and make sure our veterans receive the quality care they have earned and deserve.”

“Our veterans can face delays in care due to outdated and fragmented VA inventory systems that cause shortages and waste,” said Rep. Panetta. “Our bipartisan bill would create a cloud-based system to modernize medical supply management, saving taxpayer dollars and streamlining purchases. This long-overdue change will help ensure veterans get the timely, effective care they have earned.”

You can find the full text of this bill here.

You can find the one pager on this bill here.

Background:
• Millions of dollars in medical equipment have gone missing from VA facilities across the country in recent years.
• Nearly $5 million in medical devices went missing from Florida VA facilities between 2014–2019.
• In 2017, missing equipment at the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center delayed critical surgeries.
• A VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report found that a Colorado VA facility lacked proper systems to secure inventory data, creating serious vulnerabilities.
• This bill presents a solution to this serious problem, ensuring our taxpayer dollars are not wasted due to equipment mismanagement.

Specifically, this legislation would:
• Authorizes the VA Secretary to develop or procure a cloud-based inventory system for medical equipment and supplies.
• Establish a pilot program at one VA facility to evaluate the effectiveness of the new system before broader implementation.
• Provide $50 million in authorized funding to launch the pilot and implement the program.