Rep. Gallego calls on VA to speed up payments
By HME News Staff
Updated Tue October 1, 2019
WASHINGTON - Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., has sent a letter to the Veterans Benefits Administrator expressing his concerns about delayed payments to providers that perform VA-authorized installations, repairs and maintenance of automobile adaptive equipment (AAE). Gallego expressed concerns over reports of thousands of past-due reimbursement invoices totaling more than $34 million between 2010-15. “This is causing serious operational and payroll issues at businesses that cannot afford to be unpaid for almost a year and also meet their other obligations,” he wrote. “I am extremely concerned that the VA's failure to efficiently administer these programs is impacting the ability of dealers to continue providing life-changing products and services to disabled veterans.” Gallego has requested that the VBA provide a comprehensive list of outstanding invoices, including the amount owed and the length of time each one has been pending. He's also asked the agency to detail efforts to reduce the backlog and come into compliance with the law.
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