Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) announced it will launch the “Seek to Prevent Fraud, Waste and Abuse (STOP FWA)” initiative that will capitalize on existing departmental activities that prevent or identify FWA, as well as ensure a consistent approach to FWA risk management as a way to centralize organizational resources.
“VA will create an organizational culture that is committed to STOP FWA,” said VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin. “The initiative will protect the resources that deliver services and benefits our nation’s Veterans have earned.”
Historically, VA has had a decentralized approach to identifying, responding and preventing FWA. For example, VA’s three administrations — Health, Benefits and Cemetery — as well as its various staff offices all had separate budgets and programs dedicated to preventing FWA.
Under the decentralized approach, VA’s Office of Community Care prevented $27 million of potentially fraudulent payments in fiscal year 2016 and VA’s Debt Management Center referred more than $11 million in potentially fraudulent activity, so far in this fiscal year.
Read the full article at VA.gov.