Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte replaces Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, who is moving to a new post at the Pentagon.
Officials will extend authorizations for care handled outside the VA system for 30 different medical specialties, a move they say will ease red tape.
A White House plan would make it easier for local officials to force homeless veterans off the streets and into medical or criminal institutions.
Democrats want promises from department leaders that sensitive medical and financial information is being handled securely.
