Murphy Introduces Legislation to Improve VA Research & Care Delivery

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., introduced the VA Research Reform Act, legislation to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs’ research ecosystem to improve the efficiency and transparency of care delivery. This legislation will be included as part of the Chairman’s broader reauthorization strategy to soundly reauthorize specific programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, many of which have not been comprehensively reauthorized in 30 years. 

"The Department of Veterans Affairs conducts vital research in the federal government, but lacks centralized coordination, efficient review and oversight, and dependable timelines," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "Our veterans deserve to receive swift attention to their healthcare needs; however, the bureaucratic process often forces veterans to wait unconscionable lengths of time to receive care. The VA Research Reform Act will effectively modernize how the VA-funded research is managed, streamlining every stage of the process to prioritize the well-being of veterans and remove barriers to timely care."

Background

• Establish a VA Centralized Research Data System to track projects, funding, progress, and outcomes across the enterprise, integrated with VA’s electronic health record and accessible to authorized personnel for oversight and coordination.
   
• Implement tiered research review processes based on risk and complexity, with national timelines for approval and override authority for the Office of Research and Development to cut through red tape and prevent unnecessary delays.
   
• Mandate a funding carve-out for implementation of high-impact findings, including clinical guideline development, staff training, and integration of evidence-based treatments across VA.
   
• Require Veteran Impact Forecasts and Translation Plans for major research proposals to ensure alignment with veteran priorities and early planning for real-world implementation.
   
• Create regional VA research hubs to streamline IRB approvals, support investigators, and coordinate multi-site research and veteran recruitment.
   
• Institute national performance benchmarks and reporting, including measures of timeliness, veteran participation, and real-world impact—with annual reports to Congress and public dashboards for transparency.
   
• Expand secure research data sharing with the Department of War, National Institutes of Health, academic affiliates, and nonprofit partners to remove bureaucratic excuses for withholding VA-controlled data and aligning with modern research standards.