Michael Kestner, the owner and operator of medical clinics in Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina, was convicted last month in federal court of fraudulently billing Medicare and TRICARE for $35 million in unnecessary opioid injections.
Did VA ‘Cry Wolf’ About Budget Shortfall? Legislators Claim It Did
Legislators are accusing VA of crying wolf after a recent budget update revealed that the department did not need $3 billion in supplemental benefits funding after all and that it might not be facing a healthcare funding shortfall next year, either.
How Will the Trump Administration Alter VA Operations? Some Pundits Say to Look at Project 2025 Proposals
As President-elect Donald Trump gathers his Cabinet and prepares to take office for the second time, questions remain about how this new administration will attempt to transform government agencies, including VA.
Congress Doesn’t Address VA’s PACT Act-Related $12 Billion Shortfall
Before going on recess through mid-November, Congress passed a continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded through Dec. 20, 2024. That resolution, however, did not address the $12 billion shortfall in VHA’s FY 2025 budget,
Judge Requires VA to Build More Housing for Homeless in West Los Angeles
Last month, a federal judge provided an overwhelming victory to veterans who filed a class-action lawsuit against VA that sought to force the department to build more housing for homeless veterans on its West Los Angeles Medical Center campus.
Legislators: Efforts to Smoothly Transition Servicemembers to VA Falls Short
Legislators took DoD and VA to task for their failures to ensure that servicemembers, especially those in need of mental health services, receive a warm handoff from one department to the other upon discharge.
Congress Passed a $3 Billion Emergency Funding Bill to Help VA’s Budget Shortfall
Congress passed an emergency funding bill providing an additional $3 billion to VA to address an unexpected shortfall in the FY2024 budget for the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Much-Touted ATLAS Telehealth Booths Went Mostly Unused in Rural Areas
A recent report is calling into question the effectiveness of VA’s ATLAS program, a pilot telehealth initiative that places telehealth booths at non-VA community spaces in rural areas where veterans are more likely not to have access to high-speed internet. Veterans can use the booths to conduct telehealth appointments with VA providers.
Expert in Veteran Homelessness Helps VA Housing Programs Be More Effective
Few people understand the complexity of providing care to homeless veterans and those at risk for homelessness as well as Jack Tsai, PhD.
Nearly $15 Billion Budget Shortfall Must Be Addressed This Month, VA Officials Said
Congress recessed for August without passing legislation to close the nearly $15 billion budget shortfall VA is facing for this year and next. The shortfall, which came to light in July, includes $2.88 billion for the remainder of FY2024 and $12 billion for FY2025.
VA Renews Oracle Contract Amid Intense Criticism of EHR Rollout
VA has renewed its contract with Oracle Health to support its electronic health record modernization project. The 11-month extension will place emphasis on not only improving the much-beleaguered EHR, but on holding Oracle accountable when goals are not met.
VA Projects $2.88 Billion Shortfall for This Fiscal Year; $12 Billion for Next Year
VA is projecting a $2.88 billion budget shortfall for the remainder of fiscal year 2024 and another $12 billion for FY2025. This comes after VA leaders spent this spring assuring Congress that its FY2025 budget request, while lean, would be sufficient to do the job.
Is VA Avoiding Reporting Requirements in Supply Chain Modernization?
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are upset at VA for delays in providing Congress with information about its ongoing Supply Chain Modernization (SCM) project.
Congress member Calls for McDonough Resignation Over Questionable Bonuses
VA Secretary Reminds Committee He Sought Investigation WASHINGTON, DC—A member of the House VA Committee has called on VA Secretary Denis McDonough to resign over the nearly $11 million in bonuses inappropriately paid to senior VA Central Office (VACO) officials....
Processing of ICE Medical Claims by VA Sparks Controversy in Congress
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved an amendment to H.R. 8580, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to prohibit the VA from processing claims for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Health Service Corps at the Department of Homeland Security.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s Letter: Constituents Frustrated With VA Disability Exams
Veterans are reporting disability exam experiences with third-party contractors that are “inadequate and unprofessional,” and it has a leading Democratic senator asking what the VA plans to do about it.
Ilem Advocates for Disabled Veterans for a Quarter Century
There’s a well-worn quote about how laws are like sausages, in that you should never either being made. In reality, the legislative process can be even messier, more laborious, and require even more hands in its construction.
OIG Report Puts Spotlight on Questionable Bonuses to Top VA Executives
In September 2023, VA revealed that it had erroneously awarded $10.8 million in bonuses to 182 senior executives at its central office using retention provisions included in the PACT Act.
VA Resource Crunch Less Than Feared With PACT Act-Related Enrollment Surge
The VA is experiencing less of a resource crunch this year due to the PACT Act-related surge than previously expected, according to VA Secretary Denis McDonough. He gave the credit to early planning and increased hiring.
VA Seeks ‘Maintenance Budget’ After Record Growth in Enrollment, Hiring
While VA’s proposed budget represents a 10% increase from last year, it includes decreases in key areas like hiring and infrastructure.
Accelerated PACT Timeline Opens VA Healthcare to Many More Veterans
VA has dramatically accelerated the healthcare provision of the PACT Act, opening healthcare enrollment to hundreds of thousands of veterans who might have been exposed to toxic substances during their service.
Internal VA Investigation Verified Sexual Harassment Complaints Within ORMDI
An internal VA investigation has verified many, though not all, of the sexual harassment allegations made public by members of the House VA Committee in January.
Rare Congressional Subpoena for VA in Sexual Harassment Investigation
The House VA Committee has voted to subpoena VA Secretary Denis McDonough to release documents pursuant to an ongoing sexual harassment investigation involving several supervisors in VA’s Office of Resolution Management, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Processing of ICE Medical Claims by VA Sparks Controversy in Congress
Republican legislators butted heads with VA officials last month over the question of whether department resources were being spent on immigrants who have been placed in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Legislators Raise Concerns About Lack of Background Checks at VA
VA apparently lacks the personnel needed to complete timely background checks on all new staff, resulting in employees going to work at VA hospitals without ever being fully vetted, according to a legislator.
All WWII Veterans Now Eligible for No-Cost VA Care, Including Long-term Care
All World War II veterans now are eligible for no-cost VA healthcare, medical services and nursing home care, the VA announced shortly before Veterans Day.
Fate of VA’s Whistleblower Protection Office Under Legislative Discussion
Should VA’s Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) be given more authority in order to better conduct investigations and track enforcement recommendations, or should it be done away with entirely?
Psychedelics to Treat PTSD Now Getting Bipartisan Congressional Support
After decades of being considered fringe science by lawmakers, research into psychedelics for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is finding bipartisan support in Congress.
Problems Persist for Servicemembers Transitioning to VA Services
When the required transition classes prior to discharge from the military are delayed, servicemembers might not be aware enough about VA healthcare and benefits. That can affect their ability to undertake a smooth transition to civilian life.
Legislators Raise Concerns About VA Roll Out of New Acquisition System
VA is slowly rolling out its Integrated Financial and Acquisition Management System (iFAMS), which seeks to replace a 40-year-old legacy system and shore up a material weakness that leaves the department unable to accurately track billions in expenditures.
