Wednesday, the House Veteran’s Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations looks at how the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) purchases prosthetics for veterans and question department officials on plans to shift some purchasing responsibilities to contractors.
The cost of prosthetics has increased by 80 percent in the last four years, according to a VA report. In 2010, the department overpaid on 23 percent of prosthetic limb transactions, spending $2.2 million more than necessary.
Witnesses include: Charles Scoville, manager of the Army's amputee care; Linda Halliday, the VA's assistant inspector; and many industry experts.
Earlier this month, the House Veteran’s Affairs Subcommittee on Health held a hearing examining the quality of health care services provided to veterans with amputations and prosthetics.
According to the Committee's website, the VA provides care to approximately 42,000 veterans with limb loss. As of August 2011, 1,506 service members had experienced amputations on active duty from Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. An additional 2,248 veterans underwent major amputations at VA facilities in 2011.
Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) chairs the hearing.