The Semiannual Report to Congress summarizes the VA Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) oversight efforts from October 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022. For this period, the VA OIG identified nearly $4.1 billion in monetary impact for a return on investment of $41 for every dollar spent on oversight. This does not include the inestimable value of the healthcare oversight work completed to advance patient safety and quality care.
The Office of Audits and Evaluations (OAE) issued 29 publications, including one VA management advisory memoranda that highlighted concerns requiring VA’s prompt attention. Contracting review teams also conducted 49 preaward and postaward contract reviews to help VA obtain fair and reasonable pricing on products and services. OAE reports for the six-month period resulted in 128 recommendations.
The Office of Healthcare Inspections maintained a strong focus on leadership and organizational risks, COVID-19 pandemic readiness and response, suicide prevention and intervention processes, and deficiencies in care coordination. The VA OIG published 40 healthcare inspections and reviews, which included a trilogy of reports that focused on VA’s 10-year, multibillion-dollar electronic health record modernization effort.
The Office of Special Reviews (OSR) published two reports in response to allegations of senior VA officials’ misconduct, which reflect the VA OIG’s commitment to holding VA employees accountable for wrongdoing and promoting the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct. OSR also published one VA management advisory memorandum on the need to clarify guidance on SES reassignments.
The Office of Investigations opened 173 cases and closed 224 (most of which were opened in prior periods), with efforts leading to 104 arrests. The OIG hotline received and triaged 17,646 contacts in this reporting period to help identify wrongdoing and address concerns with VA activities. Collectively, the work during this six-month period resulted in 557 administrative sanctions and actions.
Click here to review the VA OIG's 87th Semiannual Report to Congress.