Colorado Rep. Mike Coffman targets delays of VA hospital projects

WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Coffman introduced legislation Wednesday to speed construction and rein in costs of three Veterans Affairs hospital construction projects, including the one in Aurora.

Coffman's legislation, co-sponsored by a Democrat and fellow member of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee for Oversight and Investigations, would require that an emergency manager from the Army Corps of Engineers be appointed to provide oversight for all existing VA major medical facility projects under construction.

The Government Accountability Office found in a report released last year that there are major cost overruns and delays at VA facilities under construction in cities across the country, including New Orleans, Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas.

The proposed legislation would implement the GAO's recommended reforms, such as streamlining the change-order process, negotiations between the contractor and the VA, and assigning medical equipment planners to the projects.

Coffman, a Republican from Aurora, introduced the bill last year, but it was put on hold in case construction conditions improved, his office said Wednesday.

They haven't, Coffman said.

"There is simply no excuse for the VA's construction delays and cost overruns in building these hospitals, which are for taking care of our nation's veterans," he said in a statement.