Should VA use medical care funds for a facilities project?

2015-10-02T10:20:40-04:00

http://www.stripes.com/va-art-budget-comes-under-fire-in-congress-1.371266

Not sure I can say it any differently: “It is simply beyond me why VA would choose to pay to complete the Denver project by cutting medical services and medical facility dollars but not the exorbitant conference spending, or bloated relocation expenses or art,” Miller said.

VA art budget comes under fire in Congress

The Department of Veterans Affairs ran its troubled Denver hospital project $625 million into the red, but it also might have made questionable art purchases, according to one congressman.

Response by SGT David T. made Oct 2 at 2015 10:28 AM

2015-10-02T10:28:12-04:00

As far as I know they can't. The facilities would be paid for with procurement dollars and the health care would fall under operations and maintenance. You can NEVER EVER use one type of funding for something in another category.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 2 at 2015 10:33 AM

2015-10-02T10:33:39-04:00

This seems like a "colors of money" issue. They shouldn't even be allowed to use operational funds for structure projects. That's counter to the 1 year, 5 year, 10 year planning scheme enacted by Congress. Unless things have changed massively since I got out of the game.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 10:52 AM

2015-10-02T10:52:20-04:00

I think the rock art thing is cool, but to the tune of $482000?