VA Says It Deferred 2012 Bonuses For Some Health Execs

Veterans Affairs Department spokesman Josh Taylor defended VA’s system of paying executive bonuses, telling Nextgov the payments are necessary to “attract and retain the best and brightest leaders.”

In response to the department’s ongoing struggle to reduce the backlog of disability claims as well as recent deaths at VA medical facilities, Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., proposed legislation today that would ban bonuses for senior executives for five years.

According to Taylor, “Performance awards take into account both individual and overall organizational performance goals.”