THE BERGMAN FILE ∫ NAME: Jack Bergman ∫ AGE: 77 ∫ LIVES IN: Watersmeet ∫ OCCUPATION: retired Marine general ∫ ELECTED EXPERIENCE: four terms in Congress ∫ FAMILY: married, five children

United States House of Representatives, Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), reintroduced the Veterans Affairs Peer Review Neutrality Act, which aims to improve quality of care at VA medical facilities across the country, according to a press release from Bergman’s office on Wednesday. The release states the act aims to ensure neutrality and accountability in the VA’s peer review process.

The release states that Dingell and Bergman first introduced the legislation following a report, requested by Dingell, by the Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General which revealed leadership failures at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit.

According to the release, the Veterans Affairs Peer Review Neutrality Act would require that those who participate in the peer review process are not directly involved in the case itself, ensuring there is no conflict of interest. It would ensure that the peer review process is conducted according to a specific set of parameters to avoid issues for both patients and their doctors.

“Conflicts of interest simply have no place in the VA’s peer review process,” Bergman stated in the release. “Our Veterans deserve to have confidence that the care they receive at VA medical facilities is being evaluated with fairness and professionalism. This bill strengthens that process to ensure it remains objective, consistent, and centered on the needs of those who served.”

“It’s critical that we reassure our veterans that we are personally engaged, have been from the beginning, and will remain so throughout this process,” Dingell stated in the release. “We remain committed to ensuring that all veterans being treated at the John Dingell VA Medical Center, as well as other centers throughout the country, are getting the best care possible. This bill is meant to improve efforts to ensure veterans receive care that is carefully and accurately peer reviewed for the betterment of the VA healthcare system as a whole.”

According to the release, the Veterans Affairs Peer Review Neutrality Act would require the following:

— Prohibit those with a conflict of interest from participating in the peer review process.

— Ensure that all peer reviews are approved by a neutral party at a separate VA facility than the one originating the review.

— Require VA facilities to fill all vacant medical center director positions within 180 days and require the VA to notify Congress within 90 days if a medical center director is given a different position, as well as provide necessary information.