Reps. McGarvey and Luttrell Introduce Legislation to Create VA Office of Innovation
Representatives Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.) and Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas) have introduced legislation aimed at bolstering innovation within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The proposed bill seeks to establish a new Office of Innovation within the VA's healthcare arm, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This new office would be tasked with investing in the development of technology specifically tailored for veterans' healthcare, particularly in areas where the market has not yet optimized solutions. The legislation also grants the VHA the authority to competitively hire clinical and technical experts and fosters collaboration with veteran-owned small businesses, startups, researchers, and the broader healthcare community to accelerate the development and integration of new technologies. Rep. McGarvey emphasized that veterans deserve cutting-edge care and that the VA should leverage its resources to encourage innovation, drawing a parallel to DARPA's role in the Defense Department.
