Problems plaguing the VA health system have been ongoing for years . Government reports informed Congress about the depth of problems . Congressional efforts to address them were mostly inadequate . `` ( Congress ) has failed to exercise effective oversight to require the agency to handle its caseload more efficiently , '' Michael O'Hanlon with the Brookings Institution also said lawmakers could have pushed the agency to modernize its records more quickly and instituted more robust staff reviews . House and Senate passed new federal legislation that required final negotiation .
Problems plaguing the VA health system have been ongoing for years . Government reports informed Congress about the depth of problems . Congressional efforts to address them were mostly inadequate . House and Senate passed new federal legislation that required final negotiation .