James Comer launches investigation into Biden Administration’s handling of Havana Syndrome care for veterans and federal employees as GAO report reveals significant gaps in treatment access.
At a Glance
- Chairman James Comer is investigating the Biden Administration’s compliance with legal requirements to provide care for those suffering from Havana Syndrome and other Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs).
- A 2024 Government Accountability Office report highlighted major shortcomings in patient access to treatment and implementation of required health systems.
- Comer sent letters to both the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs requesting briefings on care coordination and data sharing.
- The 2022 National Defense Authorization Act expanded DoD authority to provide healthcare to affected federal employees, but implementation has been inadequate.
- The Veterans Health Administration serves nearly half of all veterans, with a significant number reportedly affected by AHIs.
Comer Demands Accountability for Havana Syndrome Victims
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer has launched a formal investigation into what he describes as the Biden Administration’s failure to provide adequate healthcare for veterans and federal employees suffering from Havana Syndrome and other Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs). The investigation comes after a 2024 Government Accountability Office report revealed persistent gaps in care for affected individuals, despite legal requirements established in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act that mandated expanded healthcare services for these patients.
“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating the Department of Defense’s inadequate measures under the Biden Administration to provide legally required care for federal civilian employees suffering from Havana Syndrome and other anomalous health incidents (AHIs),” Chairman Comer stated in his official communication.
Comer has requested briefings from both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to understand the full scope of the issues facing affected individuals. The chairman’s letters highlight reports that federal civilian employees have experienced significant difficulties in accessing timely and appropriate medical care, despite congressional mandates to provide such services.
NEW:
Accountability for Havana Syndrome Survivors
Via House Oversight @RepJamesComer letter @SecVetAffairs @DNIGabbard has already committed to a new report into the causes after our investigation on @X
•The Biden Administration failed to establish a clear and effective… pic.twitter.com/LvCKjpWtCv
— Catherine Herridge (@C__Herridge) May 6, 2025
VA’s Critical Role in Addressing Havana Syndrome
The Veterans Health Administration, as the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States and primary care provider for nearly half of all veterans, plays a crucial role in addressing AHIs. Comer’s investigation specifically targets coordination between the VA and Department of Defense, questioning whether proper data-sharing agreements exist and if the VA has reviewed clinical data gathered by DoD to inform disability rating criteria for those suffering from anomalous health incidents.
“VA operates the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States and the primary source of care for nearly half of all veterans. According to VA’s own reporting, a significant number of individuals affected by AHIs are veterans,” Comer emphasized in his letter to the VA.
The investigation seeks to determine whether the VA has coordinated with the Institute of Medicine to assess the possibility of establishing a presumptive service connection rule for AHIs, which would streamline the process for veterans seeking care. Currently, many affected individuals report bureaucratic hurdles and delays in accessing specialized treatment services.
NEW: Havana Syndrome survivors report "impaired access to timely and appropriate medical care" at DoD.
House oversight @RepJamesComer seeking information from @SecDef Hegseth about "Biden Administration’s shortcomings in complying with the law."
In December, for our… pic.twitter.com/sSrG0nyDNI
— Catherine Herridge (@C__Herridge) February 20, 2025
Balancing Defense Priorities and Veteran Care
While acknowledging the Department of Defense’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, Comer insists that care for those who have served must remain a priority. His investigation aims to ensure that both active duty personnel and veterans receive appropriate care when returning from service, particularly those affected by unexplained medical conditions like Havana Syndrome, which first gained prominence among diplomatic staff stationed in Cuba in 2016.
“The Committee supports the Department’s new initiative of ‘restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military, and reestablishing deterrence’. In addition to that important mission, the Committee seeks to ensure the Department’s focus includes the healthcare needs of both military personnel and federal civilian employees when they return home from protecting our nation, recognizing their essential contributions to our national security,” continued Chairman Comer.
The Chairman has requested specific data on how many veterans have successfully accessed care based on an AHI diagnosis. The 2022 National Defense Authorization Act expanded DoD’s authority to provide healthcare to federal civilian employees impacted by anomalous health incidents, but the GAO report indicates implementation has fallen short of congressional intent, leaving many affected individuals without clear pathways to specialized treatment.
