New 'VetPAC Act' Creates 17-Member Commission to Overhaul VHA Wait Times, IT, and Quality of Care

The newly proposed “VetPAC Act of 2025” isn't about changing veteran benefits right away. It’s about setting up a powerful, independent watchdog to review every corner of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Think of it as hiring a team of 17 high-powered consultants—the Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission—to audit the entire operation, from the front desk to the operating room.

The Ultimate VHA Performance Review

This Commission is tasked with a massive job: reviewing the VHA’s operations and sending an annual report packed with recommendations directly to Congress. The scope of their review is huge, covering everything that affects a veteran’s care. This includes the notorious issues of wait times and referrals, especially how community care (the Veterans Community Care Program) is working. They will also dive deep into the VHA’s long-term budget, how they procure medical supplies, and even the quality of care compared to private sector options like Medicare and TRICARE. For the veteran waiting months for an appointment, this Commission is designed to find out why and propose fixes.

Who’s on the Team and What Powers Do They Have?

The 17 members of this Commission will be appointed by the Comptroller General of the United States (the head of the Government Accountability Office, or GAO). Crucially, at least two members must be veterans, ensuring patient experience is represented. The rest must have “significant expertise” in running large medical systems, focusing on areas like staffing, IT, and facility construction. They get five-year terms, which is designed to give them enough time to dig in without being constantly worried about political cycles.

This Commission isn't just advisory; it has teeth. It can hire its own staff and, most importantly, it can demand information from any U.S. department or agency. If the VHA is sitting on data about staffing shortages or IT failures, they have to hand it over within 180 days. This means VHA administrative staff and other federal employees will be spending time fulfilling these requests, shifting resources toward transparency and oversight.

The Catch: Budget and Expertise

While this level of oversight sounds promising, there are a couple of things to watch. First, the Commission is required to examine the budget consequences of any recommendation before sending it to Congress. This is a practical step, but it might subtly steer the Commission away from recommending expensive, necessary improvements—like a massive facility upgrade—if the cost is deemed too high. Second, the requirement for members to have “significant expertise” is a bit vague. The effectiveness of this entire effort hinges on the Comptroller General appointing independent experts rather than politically connected people who might lack the necessary technical depth to fix complex problems like electronic health records or supply chain logistics.