Question: Does Anyone Know When Last Time US Dept. Vet Affairs Externally Financially Audited- Office Supplies To Vets As Well?

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ALL- have very stupid question here as I simply could not find the answer. When was the last time in the history of the US Department of Veteran's Affairs it underwent a full external financial audit?

Reason I am asking as in Gulf Coast VA System/VISN16- one hears of all the 1-Billion dollars that Congress authorizes the US DVA, particularly when a scandal occurs, but where does this money go as there is no evidence in the Gulf Coast VA System/VISN 16 the veterans ever see any result's of it!

For example, the prosthetic department should, per a doctors recommendation be able to issue items that were purchased, as those Gulf Coast VA System/VISN16 understand issued at large VA employees such as, for example only, Varidesk (see example only-https://www.varidesk.com/) a desk that elevates one's computer and takes strain off back, as well as ergo floor mats and stools- for say a total approximate cost of 350-400 dollars an employee, just guessing here, as probably bought in bulk and simply citing Veridesk as an example only of office supply dealer/manufacturer only.....so hopefully folks can see visually what talking about.....?????

Now veterans Gulf Coast VA System/VISN16 have apparently asked VA employees were this equipment is, once they have acknowledged they were issued it, and apparently got answers like in a storage closet or simply not set up.

Upon further questioning, as to why these items were not readily available issue vet's the answer(s) generally are we do not know but should be available veterans whom need them?

So say, 1000 employees Gulf Coast VA/VISN16 issued something akin-similar too Veridesk and ergo mats/stools, times perhaps 300 USD a set equals 300,000 (+/-) USD possibly spent on US VA employees and not US veterans potentially Gulf Coast VA/VISN16 alone!

So hopefully one can see were there might potentially be some concern over where and what US Congressional funds earmarked veteran care, if all above true or even somewhat true, are in fact being spent on- possibly?

Could not find o internet when US Department of Veteran Affairs in fact had a complete external audit of all it's systems and departments, but did find some of the following that may be of interest to other's out there:

https://www.cnn.com/2014/05/30/us/department-of-veterans-affairs-fast-facts/index.html "Department of Veterans Affairs Fast Facts"CNN Library Updated 9:24 AM ET, Thu September 20, 2018

NPR Choice page "Pentagon Announces First-Ever Audit Of The Department Of Defense"December 8, 201712:20 PM ET BILL CHAPPELL Twitter

https://www.va.gov/finance/docs/afr/2018VAafrSectionII.pdf "VA Annual Financial Report - 2018"

https://www.va.gov/finance/afr/index.asp VA » Office of Finance » 2018 VA Agency Financial Report Published November 28, 2018 "Office of Finance2018 VA Agency Financial Report Published November 28, 2018"

Thanks, and if any veterans out there actually getting issued items like Veridesk other VA System's/VISN's or even Gulf Coast VA/VISN16 please correct me...... but am sure that most likely this line of thought extends perhaps beyond these simple items..... and/or if know when US Department of Veterans Affairs had a complete external financial audit?
 
The GAO audits all federal agencies.

https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/693268.pdf

Thanks ChaplainCharlie- understood, but what about, per DOD audit, a financial audit done by outside, non-government affiliated forensic accounting firms, as understand supposedly being done at DOD, of the entire US Department of Veterans Affairs? Wonder what results would be considering US Department Veteran Affairs is supposedly second largest Federal employer behind DOD?

Being the 2nd largest employer behind DOD, simply implies number of issues, high overhead cost-personnel, their supplies, salaries, bonuses, computers, software,pension plans etc...; then one gets into other areas VA operates like cemeteries with grounds keeping costs, same for regular VA facility upkeep-maintenance, then veterans compensation- which is whole other tricky area with, for example only, National Guard supposed garnishment-relinquishment of VA pay while on drill-deployment, among other complex issues of this sort.... Basically US VA has same cost outlays as DOD excepting things like major-minor weapons systems, uniforms, etc.....

So if DOD, the largest Federal Employer is doing external non-GAO financial audit, very first time in its history, then why are say not the 2nd and 3rd largest with similar cash flow outlays in the US Government....just a thought??? The US VA System more than, above and beyond, has the potential that much of the Billion(s) US Congress authorizes the US DVA for veteran care and service, after, once again say a big scandal, is spent on "office equipment-supplies" for VA employees which they perhaps do not utilize, nor perhaps sign a hand-receipt for (i.e. accountable for and must turn-in if leave US VA employment, etc...), and same office equipment that would greatly assist veterans possibly not being made available to veterans........ is that not sufficient grounds to do, say as being done at DOD with the US DVA or even just select US VA Systems-VISN's to get a general read if accounting books in accordance GAO or US VA IG financial reporting/auditing ?????

Should not some entity- non-government related- be spot-checking, from time too time, that the funds the US Congress actually authorizes specifically for veterans goods and services are in fact being utilized toward that specific intended purpose and nothing else- as well as spot-checking the work of GAO- VA Inspector General?

Thanks ChaplainCharlie- and as usual much appreciated.....
 
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The outside audit of DoD was historic. Similar audits of other agencies would be interesting. But it would also nullify the need for part of the functions held by various IGs and the GAO. The bureaucracy would lobby heavily against displacement of so many federal workers. It makes too much sense for government to be held to NASBA guidance as the rest of us are require to be in compliance.
 
The bureaucracy would lobby heavily against displacement of so many federal workers. It makes too much sense for government to be held to NASBA guidance as the rest of us are require to be in compliance.

Thanks ChaplainCharlie- interesting and is "big bureaucracy" not part of the issue as well as self-perpetuating/sustaining and so much recently been written and spoken about in various media.... anyway might find below web-links interesting....

About Us | NASBA "About Us"- NASBA

National Association of State Boards of Accountancy - Wikipedia "National Association of State Boards of Accountancy" From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Nasba)

On that note, just another question-perhaps may know answer as well ChaplainCharlie- "Trans-gender" Restrooms, understand that Congress never passed an official law on matter(?); if so then why is the US Department of Veterans Affairs supposedly in Gulf Coast VA System/VISN16 MOPC designating restrooms as "Trans-Gender" without official approval or mandated requirement having been passed by the US Congress....or did Congress mandate this be done all US VA Facilities across the US and its territories????????

Once again much thanks and congrats elevated SuperModerator status, ChaplainCharlie.......
 
I have no idea about the transgender restroom issue.
 
I have no idea about the transgender restroom issue.

Thanks ChaplainCharlie- even though have no idea, which understand could mean various things like the rules and regulations regarding this issue as set forth by US Congress, have you physically observed if the US VA, perchance, is doing this at you local VA Facilities or anyone else's VA System/VISN facilities this forum or is Gulf Coast VA System/VISN16 the only one....which honestly would be no big surprise????

Thanks ChaplainCharlie- and do not mean to press you.....just curious is all, if Gulf Coast VA/VISN16 simply doing own thing as per usual or US VA, as a whole, for that matter?????
 
GSFowler once again thanks and following link you provided leads to stated article which states some of the following:

As a transgender person you’re accustomed to dealing with all sorts of issues on a daily basis,” she explained. “But when you walk into a VA facility you shouldn’t have to worry about that. So here at VA we need to work extra hard to overcome any fear or anxiety you might be experiencing. We want to make sure that you, as a transgender Vet, are getting the healthcare you need and the respect you have earned.”
Shipherd said transgender Veterans, like other minorities, tend to have considerably more stress in their lives than the rest of us.
“Veterans are at increased risk for suicide relative to the general population,” she observed, “and transgender Vets are 20 times more likely to attempt suicide than other Veterans. This statistic highlights the level of daily stress some of our transgender Vets are experiencing.”

As well as:

"Is There a Problem, Officer?
And then there’s the dreadful event that tends to generate anxiety in all of us, but especially members of any minority group: getting pulled over by a police officer.

“Any encounter you might have with law enforcement can be stressful, or downright scary,” Shipherd said. “Can you imagine being stopped by a police officer late one evening? What are you feeling as the officer gets out of their cruiser and approaches your vehicle? Are you nervous? Are you afraid? What will the officer say when they look at your driver’s license and it says John Doe, only you look like Jane Doe?”

Understood discrimination is not "tolerable" under most all circumstances, but nothing in article states the US Congress, which US VA basis most of their rules and regulations off of, mandated US VA facilities in fact provide transgender restrooms.... which is more a rule of law than anything else... which is in fact what trying to find out.....????

Furthermore, in "Is There a Problem Officer" can apply to any US veteran that is either eyed up and down by US VA Police or escorted around a US VA facility by police every time they show up at a US VA facility, which sadly by all reports-accounts has occurred numerous veteran's Gulf Coast VA/VISN16.....

Then there is the issue of available bathroom facilities themselves, especially much older US VA facilities- such as MOPC, in Mobile AL! IAW article "There are currently about 5,000 transgender Veterans receiving their healthcare from VA." so what about that percentage of veterans, out of the over 1-million veterans, whom do not feel comfortable "sharing a transgender restroom" and one of the few restrooms on a VA facility floor(s)- which is already more than overcapacity with enrolled veterans- is in fact designated a "trans-gender" restroom.... hence back to rules and regulations enacted by US Congress that in fact very specifically mandated installation of "trans-gender" restrooms in US VA facilities......???????

If the US Congress mandated the US VA do this at all its US-Territory VA Facilities, then that is law of the land, end of story, if not then what is it......especially when much needed space in some VA Facilities could be better allocated to perhaps accommodate more easily the needs of the many rather than the needs of the few and a "trans-gender" restroom installed in a better location within the facility......perhaps????????

Thanks GSFolwer, but I guess nobody knows what the US Congress has in fact mandated on this issue as far as US VA is concerned....and will simply leave it at that!

PS: Anyway whole transgender restroom issue, might be a better State level issue (i.e. State rights) than a US Federal Level one, excepting issues that affect US Federal Facilities-Organizations..., then perhaps might very need be a US Federal Level issue... who knows?????
 
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GSFolwer - any others still interested this particular issue might want see below, as finally found something and actually pretty good i.e. pro-con type of thing:

Bathroom bill - Wikipedia "Bathroom bill" From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Unisex public toilet - Wikipedia "Unisex public toilet" From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Who would have guessed had to find accidentally under "bathroom bill" or bathroom-toilet anything????

Anyway GSFolwer as always much appreciated, and whole issue reminds one of story told by a solider that when deployed as part of a Combined and Joint Task Force in far ends of world about an apparently infamous Command & Staff meeting of all Combined (other-national) leaders about "bathrooms" and one of combined leaders (non US) simply walked out stating something akin "I am not going to sit here and argue about [blank-euphemism] 'toliets'"! Apparently, IAW soldier story-teller, this meeting became somewhat of a FOBit story......and laughed about incessantly thereafter.....?????

Thanks GSFolwer and appreciate your input as always ....but simply sort of found out what I wanted to know from the above articles.....and will close my participation on this particular issue out......as it is all above and beyond me as well as perhaps others......?????
 
ALL- in Gulf Coast VA System/VISN16, the Mobile Outpatient Clinic (MOPC) in Mobile, Alabama just supposedly recently moved to a much lauded new facility astride US Interstate I-10, placing it even closer to the Gulf Coast VA HQ in Biloixi, MS.

A vetrean, I know, asked their VA Providers what was going to happen to all the government equipment from the old "rental" facility on Springhill Avenue in Mobile Alabama and if the US VA had a DRMO type situation for all old government equipment- unsurprisingly the answer was no, that all the old equipment was going to simply be left in place to include not only office furniture but all electronic equipment like computers etc....??? So veteran asked, had Gulf Coast VA/VISN 16 done a "pre-move" inventory of all US Government Property, in particular, computers- and if plan to ensure all computers properly wiped or drives secured so that no patient data compromised nor lost? Nobody apparently, per this veteran, could answer any of these questions.....is this acceptable????

Additionally, Gulf Coast VA/VISN 16 at MOPC has been utilizing this move as a "excuse" to not apparently, in some cases, provide continuing and ongoing patient care for quite a long time prior to this move....is this too acceptable?????

Anyway, in event any patient Gulf Coast VA/VISN16 has issues lost records, compromised VA records data, issues related lack of patient care, etc... might just want to start asking a few of many questions, perhaps, regarding this "BIG MOVE," that is supposed to fix all ills with former MOPC, by Gulf Coast VA/VISN16- as always could simply be wrong....thanks, and welcome any correction-feedback?????

PS: The MOPC was supposedly rented from the University of South Alabama Medical School- allegedly this vets numerous providers??! So if Gulf Coast VA/VISN16 leaving US Federal GOV property in place to include computers, etc... are as they used say US Army "laterally-transferring" all this equipment to the Univ. South Alabama Medical School, if building on Springhill AVE, in Mobile AL owned by Univ. S. Alabama (?), and if so what did US GOV recoup and was a complete and accurate "Master Hand-Receipt" of all US GOV Property "laterally-transferred," so to speak completed with "Individual Certification Certificates" that all "sensitive equipment" like each and every computer were in fact securely wiped or drives either accounted for and or securely destroyed/wiped, etc.....????
 
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