House Bill Would Create VA Ombuds Office

In response to confusion veterans face when trying to arrange benefits, the House Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee has approved H.R. 2192 that would create an Ombuds office within the Veterans Affairs Department. According to the draft legislation, the VA Office of the Ombudsman would act as a liaison for veterans and their family members with respect to the receipt of VA health care and benefits and protect the confidentiality of information provided to the Office. The VA, however, does not support the bill, reasoning that it would create an unnecessary level of bureaucracy within the VA. (Government Executive; Bill Status.)