VA COST SAVINGS Enhancements Act

This bill tells the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to move more medical waste treatment in-house at VA facilities when it will save money. The VA must figure out which hospitals and clinics would save costs over five years by using on-site systems, create one clear way to compare off-site versus on-site costs (including equipment paid off over ten years), and then install and run on-site treatment at those locations. It does not provide extra money to do this. The term “regulated medical waste” follows federal rules, or a stricter state rule if there is one.

Key points:

• Who is affected: VA hospitals and clinics, and the veterans they serve.
• What changes: The VA must identify where on-site medical waste treatment would save money, build a cost model, and install and operate on-site systems at those facilities.
• Money: No new funds are authorized for this plan.
• Timing: Savings are assessed over five years; equipment costs are compared using a ten-year payoff period.