Bill Overview
Title: VA Supply Chain Management System Authorization Act
Description: This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement an information technology system for the management of supply chains only if the system meets specified requirements (e.g., is cloud based) and does not require the use of a specific contract to procure supplies.
Sponsors: Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]
Target Audience
Population: veterans relying on VA services
Estimated Size: 18000000
- The bill affects the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operations by specifying how they can implement a supply chain management IT system.
- The main population impacted are veterans who rely on the VA for medical supplies and services.
- Effective supply chain management at the VA ensures that veterans receive timely and efficient services, impacting their health and well-being.
- VA staff involved in logistics and supply chain management will be directly impacted as they interact with the new IT system.
- Improved supply chain systems can indirectly benefit American citizens by ensuring veterans, who are a significant portion of the population, receive better care.
Reasoning
- The policy is aimed at improving the VA's supply chain management. The primary target is veterans who depend on the VA for healthcare and supplies. The well-being of these individuals could be affected positively due to improved service delivery.
- Given the budget constraints, the policy will have to be implemented in phases or targeted in areas of urgent need, possibly impacting regions differently.
- Non-veteran citizens and those who do not rely on the VA will not experience direct effects from this policy.
- Veterans who do rely on VA services may experience varied levels of change based on their interaction frequency with the VA.
- VA staff members will directly interact with the new system, and their experience can affect veterans' perceived service delivery.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The current supply chain issues sometimes delay my medications.
- A new system could make medication stocks more reliable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Houston, TX)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supply chain delays have been frustrating.
- If this policy improves efficiency, it would greatly enhance my quality of care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
VA Logistics Coordinator (New York, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've had to overcome many issues with the current system.
- A new system could ease my workload and make us more efficient.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Nurse Practitioner (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any improvement would help us provide better care.
- I hope they implement it effectively without much bureaucracy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Veteran Advocate (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Veterans have been struggling with inefficient supply systems.
- This policy might improve community trust in VA services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
University Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I haven't faced major issues, but I know others who have.
- This could be a good move for those who need constant supplies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better VA systems might reduce the stress on our family.
- I'm cautious about government technology projects, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired VA Doctor (Dallas, TX)
Age: 75 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen first-hand how supply issues affect patient care.
- Hopeful about potential improvements the policy might bring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
VA Administrative Assistant (Denver, CO)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our current systems are outdated and cumbersome.
- A modern system could significantly boost my productivity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've dealt with backlogs and delays for years.
- If this policy helps, it would be a big relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of cloud-based system implementation will significantly determine cost outcomes.
- Unexpected technical issues during implementation could impact financial estimates.
- Impact on veterans' services and satisfaction will indirectly affect policy evaluation.