Should VA use medical care funds for a facilities project?

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 10:20:40 -0400

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

SGT David T. — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 10:28:12 -0400

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

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 10:33:39 -0400

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

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 10:52:20 -0400

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

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 2 at 2015 6:11 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 18:11:20 -0400

What we are seeing here is an organization that is willing to break budget rules and laws. They have no sense of accountability. What congress needs is a budget person to track VA's spending, since it is obvious the VA does not have any honest brokers.

The budget laws are comprised a of PTA, or Purpose, Time, Amount.
AMOUNT: The art work and conference. The entire building.
PURPOSE: Using federal funds to pay for employees moving expenses when they only switch desks.