“Why GAO Did This Study
Priority recommendations are open GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies, because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or ensure that programs comply with laws and that funds are legally spent, among other benefits…”
“What GAO Found
In April 2018, GAO identified 26 priority recommendations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Since then, VA has implemented 5 of those recommendations by taking actions to enhance services for veterans readjusting to civilian life, holding VA medical centers accountable for assessing the competencies of its human resources staff, and improving its ability to manage a major information technology project, among other things. As a result, VA improved oversight and accountability, and made progress in addressing long-standing challenges with providing health care and other VA services to veterans. In addition to the 5 recommendations that VA has implemented, GAO closed 1 priority recommendation as unimplemented, because it was based on a program that has recently undergone significant statutory changes.”
“In March 2019, GAO identified 10 additional priority recommendations for VA, bringing the total number to 30. These recommendations involve improving
- oversight of veterans’ access to timely health care;
- oversight of veterans’ community care program;
- management of human capital;…”
Read the full 22-page report here.
Source: VA Priority Open Recommendations – April 8, 2019. GAO.
