Inspector General Interview: 88th Semiannual Report to Congress

Veteran Oversight Now

The Semiannual Report to Congress summarizes the VA Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) oversight efforts from April 1 through September 30, 2022. For this six-month period, the VA OIG identified more than $1.4 billion in monetary impact for a return on investment of $16 for every dollar spent on oversight—which brings the fiscal year 2022 totals to nearly $4.6 billion in monetary impact for a return on investment of $24 for every dollar spent on oversight. These figures do not include the inestimable value of the healthcare oversight work completed to advance patient safety and quality care.

During this six-month period, the Office of Investigations opened 178 cases and closed 213 (most of which were opened in prior periods), with efforts leading to 135 arrests. The OIG hotline received and triaged 18,396 contacts to help identify wrongdoing and address concerns with VA activities. Collectively, the work during this period resulted in 599 administrative sanctions and actions.

The Office of Audits and Evaluations (OAE) produced 44 publications, including five VA management advisory memorandums that highlighted concerns requiring VA’s prompt attention. Contracting review teams also conducted 47 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 198 recommendations.

The Office of Special Reviews (OSR) issued five publications, including three 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 issued two joint publications: a VA management advisory memorandum with OAE regarding concerns with the calculation of patient wait time data, and a report with the Department of Defense (DoD) OIG, focusing on efforts by DoD and VA to achieve electronic health record system interoperability.

The Office of Healthcare Inspections (OHI) maintained a strong focus on leadership and organizational risks, suicide risk reduction, quality of care, and patient safety. OHI published 19 healthcare inspection reports; 17 Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program (CHIP) reports, including three CHIP summary reports; four national healthcare reviews; and its first Care in the Community report that examined key clinical and administrative processes associated with providing quality VA and community care.