A new bill has been proposed that would help ensure poor performing physicians at Veterans Affairs hospitals would not receive performance bonuses.
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine), requires executives and healthcare providers at VA hospitals across the country to be evaluated on whether they improved healthcare outcomes.
Under the bill, if an executive does not meet performance goals set by the VA for two years, the executive would be terminated from his or her position.
Under the new legislation, VA physicians and dentists will not receive bonuses based on their performance unless they meet annual healthcare quality improvement goals.
The legislation was proposed in response to allegations VA hospitals across the country have used secret patient wait lists and falsified patient appointment records.
As a result of the widespread allegations, Eric Shinseki resigned as secretary of the VA. Sloan D. Gibson, a deputy VA secretary, will temporarily fill Mr. Shinseki's position, according to a report in The New York Times.
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