You mean there is not a permanent inspector general for VA?

2015-06-29T09:37:11-04:00

Senators want a permanent inspector general for VA

"Over the past two years, VA has faced well-documented challenges, including the failure to provide timely health care nationwide," the letter stated. "A permanent IG would help to address these failures and would play a critical role in auditing and evaluating VA programs, conducting health care inspections and investigating allegations of serious violations."

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/veterans/2015/06/26/senators-want-a-permanent-inspector-general-for-va/29323389/

Senators want a permanent inspector general for VA

The top watchdog post for the department has been vacant for the last 18 months, raising concerns about VA oversight.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-06-29T10:00:47-04:00

Apparently not!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 29 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-06-29T10:00:54-04:00

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. Wow! I can't believe no one has been a VA IG. I will volunteer for that job talking about job security! We need competent leadership and the current 'leaders' need to be held accountable.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-06-29T10:00:54-04:00

Of course not. If there was a permanent person, then the incoming secretary (or sitting, for that matter) couldn't just plug in someone that will turn a blind eye to what is going on.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 29 at 2015 10:03 AM

2015-06-29T10:03:59-04:00

This is one of those, WTF moments when you realize that this should have been the case and everyone assumed it was already the case.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jun 29 at 2015 10:10 AM

2015-06-29T10:10:14-04:00

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. Jan that was the same thing I was thinking. WTF is wrong with those people?

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Jun 29 at 2015 2:20 PM

2015-06-29T14:20:54-04:00

There has been for several years. However, it's been a while since the last one retired. As for the comment to have these folks independent from the agency, that's been a long standing issue/argument. They are listed as "independent" but aligned under the agency. There is another auditing agency, the General Accountability Office, that is independent of all agencies. But again, just like the recent VA OIG reports, the GAO also does generalizations in their findings.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Jun 30 at 2015 4:08 PM

2015-06-30T16:08:42-04:00

The same happens in Fayetteville, NC, Jacksonville, NC and Wilmington, NC. I have veterans telling me more frequently lately that since their doctors (Primary Care and Mental Health) have left, VA hasn't rescheduled them for care nor can they get anyone to contact them when they try to call.
http://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-15-01116-390.pdf

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Jun 30 at 2015 5:58 PM

2015-06-30T17:58:29-04:00

Sometimes prayers get answered in the strangest ways:

"Change is the law of life, and those who only look to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” President John F. Kennedy On June 29, 2015, the VA Deputy Inspector General, Richard J. Griffin, informed the VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald and the VA Office of Inspector General workforce of his intention to retire after 43 ½ years of Federal service. His last day as VA Deputy Inspector General will be Independence Day, July 4, 2015, a fitting day for an organization that prides itself on independence and integrity. Upon his departure, the VA OIG’s Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations, Linda A. Halliday, will assume the position of Deputy Inspector General. Mr. Griffin praised the VA OIG workforce, stating “Your collective effort and hard work have resulted in a remarkable record of performance and outstanding achievements. In the last 6 years alone, the VA OIG workforce has accounted for 1,931 reports; 11,350 arrests, indictments, convictions, and administrative sanctions; and achieved $22.5 billion in monetary impact, either through recommendations to VA in program efficiencies or in criminal fines, penalties, and sanctions representing a return on investment of $36 for every dollar invested in the OIG’s budget. In fact, in April 2015, the Brookings Center for Effective Management named the VA OIG the second most productive OIG organization in the Federal government based on the last 5 years’ return on investment.”