VISN Reorganization Act of 2012

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-668.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 10, 2012

VISN Reorganization Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to organize the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) into 12 geographically defined Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).

Directs the Secretary to ensure that each VISN: (1) is aligned with the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the specific health care requirements of veterans in that network; (2) implements VA national goals within their network and associated medical centers; (3) maintains a regional integrated health care system; (4) identifies and reduces the duplication of functions in VHA clinical, administrative, and operational processes and practices; (5) works to achieve maximum effectiveness in patient care and safety, graduate medical education, and research; (6) assesses the consolidation or realignment of institutional functions, in collaboration and cooperation with other VISNs and specified offices or entities within their network; and (7) develops and shares innovations and best practices with each other at the local, regional, and national levels.

Prohibits more than one headquarters for each VISN, with no more than 65 full-time employees. Requires the Secretary to report at least annually to the congressional veterans committees on employment at VISN headquarters.

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Directs the Secretary, at least every three years, to: (1) review and assess VISN structure and operations, and (2) submit review results to such committees.

Requires the Secretary, in order to comply with the requirements of this Act, to realign and combine the current 21 VISNs into 12 geographically defined VISNs, and to appropriately consolidate VISN headquarters. Directs the Secretary to submit to such committees a realignment implementation plan.

Provides for the relocation of leased VISN headquarters, requiring the Secretary to notify such committees if renewing or engaging in a new lease for any headquarters.

Directs the Secretary to establish up to four regional support centers within the VHA to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the VISNs.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC] · R–NC

Committees

Veterans' Affairs Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Coburn, Tom [R-OK]

Legislative record

Actions

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Jun 27, 2012
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-668.
May 10, 2012
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 10, 2012
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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Introduced in Senate · May 10, 2012 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Discuss S.3084, 112th Congress: VISN Reorganization Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/3084

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-05-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s3084/BILLS-112s3084is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:18:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

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Analyze S.3084 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.3084, 112th Congress: VISN Reorganization Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/3084

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-05-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s3084/BILLS-112s3084is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:18:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

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Discuss S.3084, 112th Congress: VISN Reorganization Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/3084

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-05-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s3084/BILLS-112s3084is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:18:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

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Discuss S.3084, 112th Congress: VISN Reorganization Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/3084

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-05-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s3084/BILLS-112s3084is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:18:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.3084 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.