VA failed to spend $1.9 billion designated for health care, report finds

[nitpicker]

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/veterans/2016/01/12/va-failed-spend-19-billion-designated-health-care-report-finds/78701854/

VA failed to spend $1.9 billion designated for health care, report finds
By Patricia Kime, Staff writer 9:11 p.m. EST January 12, 2016

An audit of the Veterans Health Administration’s private health care program books finds the department failed to spend $1.9 billion – or 40 percent – of the $4.8 billion designated for non-VA care in fiscal 2013.

Also, from Oct. 1, 2013, through March 31, 2015, medical center administrators overestimated the funds they needed to pay for outside care for veterans by $543 million, leaving that amount unavailable for patient care, according to a new Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General report.
(snip)

The VA IG said the failure occurred because VA administrators have not provided medical directors with the tools they need to estimate costs and that medical center staff were not required to adjust estimated costs routinely to reflect actual costs.

“We recommended that the Under Secretary for Health improve cost estimation tools, update system software to ensure unused funds can be ‘deobligated,' require facilities to adjust cost estimates … and monitor VA medical facility obligation estimates,” wrote Gary Abe, acting assistant general for audits and evaluations.
(snip)

[newfie11]

1. When you close down VA hospitals

And lay off staff it's hard to spend money on what you don't have!


http://www.blackhills.va.gov/vablackhillsfuture/

[tazkcmo]

2. After decades of inept management

I'm convinced powerful a-holes want the VA dead so they can privatize it. I'm also convinced it crosses party lines.

[The River]

3. I Think They Spent Most Of It On

Me.....

I know that all large organizations have problems precisely
because of their size, but the VA is much better than private hospitals when it comes
to caring for veterans. I know. I've been a patient at 2 different VA facilities (on opposite sides of the country) and they've done an excellent job of keeping me alive. I've got more artificial parts
than an average "Borg". The system is proactive and portable. It identifies health problems early which saves both lives and money. When was the last time your private hospital called you in for a check-up? The VA does that for me every 6 months. Appointments are easy to schedule and timely.
As long as I am alive, I'll keep fighting for the VA and voting against those who would
privatize it.