Summary

Creates an independent, 17‑member Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission to review VHA operations, issue an annual report with recommendations to Congress, and coordinate with oversight entities. The Commission can hire staff, enter contracts, award research grants, request information from federal agencies, and must adopt recommendations by simple majority. Members are appointed by the Comptroller General to staggered five‑year terms, treated as employees of Congress for ethics and financial disclosure, and paid at an Executive Schedule‑linked rate; the Commission must deliver an annual report to Congress by March 15 and may seek separate appropriations to operate.

• Establishes a 17‑member independent advisory commission to review Veterans Health Administration operations.
• Members appointed by the Comptroller General for staggered 5‑year terms; at least two must be veterans.
• Commission can hire staff, enter contracts, award research grants, and request information from federal agencies.
• Required to produce an annual report to Congress by March 15 with recommendations adopted by simple majority.
• Members are treated as employees of Congress for ethics and public financial disclosure rules.
• Members and executive staff pay is tied to Executive Schedule levels; operations rely on separate appropriations.
• Federal agencies must respond to Commission information requests within 180 days; certain agencies get access within 30 days.
• Review topics include IT, access/wait times, Community Care, quality, workforce, procurement, research, and insurer interactions.
• Initial membership appointments occur after appropriations are provided, with a 280‑day deadline to fill seats.