VA COST SAVINGS Enhancements Act

The VA COST SAVINGS Enhancements Act proposes that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) identify facilities where using on-site regulated medical waste (RMW) treatment systems could save money over five years. It would require the VA to develop a uniform cost-analysis model to compare the current off-site RMW treatment costs (typically under contract with a non-VA entity) to the on-site treatment costs, with capital costs of the on-site systems amortized over ten years. For each identified facility, the VA would install and operate an on-site RMW treatment system. The bill defines RMW by federal regulations (and allows state law if it is more expansive). Importantly, the bill states that no new funds are authorized to carry out these requirements, implying any implementation would rely on existing VA funds or future savings. In short, the measure aims to shift certain medical waste processing onto VA campuses if cost analysis shows a net saving, while ensuring regulatory compliance and not providing new appropriations for the effort.