Navigation Congress Asking That VA Put a Stop to Implementation of Multibillion Dollar Logistics System
VA’s congressional overseers are requesting that the VA put a stop to its implementation of a multibillion-dollar medical supply chain management system that has fallen short of expectations at this point in the process. VA adopted the new system known as Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS) in 2019 and will spend the next 15 years deploying this throughout the VA system. It is important to note that in addition to the 15-year implementation period, the current system in use is already 20 years old. According to the VA Inspector General, the new system failed to meet 44% of staff’s requirements at the first hospital where the system was deployed.
In a January 31, 2022 letter signed by ranking members of the House and Senate, Veterans state that the system has not helped VA live up to its promises of improving supply chain management, but has only led to increased reports of shortcomings with VA. VA has not yet responded to any direct questions regarding the issues related to the new system. At this time the future of the implementation of the system is up in the air.
