Bill > HR6519

This bill amends the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) procedures for peer review and administrative investigations to reduce potential conflicts of interest. Specifically, the bill requires that individuals conducting peer reviews must withdraw from a case if they have direct involvement in the care being reviewed or cannot provide an objective assessment. For peer reviews involving committee members, the bill mandates that initial reviews must be evaluated by a neutral peer review committee from a different facility. Additionally, the bill establishes strict guidelines for administrative investigation boards and fact-finders, prohibiting individuals with confidential quality assurance information from serving on or disclosing information to these boards. The bill also requires that board members and fact-finders have no personal interest, bias, direct involvement, or supervisory relationship with the subject of the investigation. If a potential board member has any such conflicts, they must recuse themselves from the investigation. These provisions aim to ensure more impartial and transparent quality management and investigation processes within the VHA.

Health and Social Services, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6519/all-info