MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Tribune News Service) — Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., announced Wednesday that his Veterans Camera Reporting Act bill, HR 1510, was signed into law on Tuesday.

The bill, he said, is aimed at improving the quality of care provided at VA health care facilities, by ensuring the required video camera systems are in working order and requiring VA medical centers to report to Congress regarding these patient safety measures.

“We’ve seen tragedy firsthand at the Clarksburg VA and we can never let preventable events of that nature happen again in West Virginia or any other state in this country. Period, “ McKinley said. The bill was spurred by the murders of veterans at the Clarksburg VA hospital.

“Our veterans have made countless sacrifices to defend our freedoms and they deserve the best quality of care from our VA system, “ McKinley said. “This bill will help restore transparency and confidence in the care provided at our VA hospitals.”

The Senate companion bill was introduced by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R- W.Va., joined by Sen. Joe Manchin, D- W.Va.

Both commented when the bill passed the Senate on Nov. 3.

Capito said, “Those who served our nation deserve safe, high-quality care, and that’s why I’ve remained in close contact with those involved in this investigation and VA leadership to ensure we get answers. As a result of one of those conversations, I determined one of those potential answers came in the form of legislation I authored to examine the use of security cameras at VA medical centers, which provide transparency and accountability. I’m glad the Senate passed this important bill that will help us avoid tragedies like this in the future.”

Manchin said, “Over the past several years, West Virginia Veterans have lost faith in the VA system due to the murders of at least seven veterans at the Clarksburg VAMC and the negligence that allowed this heartbreaking tragedy to occur. I am pleased the Senate passed our bipartisan legislation. ... This is a good first step in restoring our veterans’ confidence in the VA medical centers, but we have a long way to go.”

In November 2020, then- President Trump signed the related H.R. 5616, the Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act. McKinley was a lead cosponsor. The bill requires the VA to submit detailed reports on patient safety and quality of care at VA Medical Centers.

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