VA Health Care
Enforcement of Federal Ethics Requirements at VA Medical Centers Gao ID: T-HRD-93-22 May 19, 1993Senior managers at nearly one-third of the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) medical centers reported receiving part-time employment incomes, averaging thousands of dollars, from medical schools that receive millions of dollars through VA contracts. Nevertheless, VA has allowed these managers to participate in awarding and administering these contracts. Such activities are prohibited under federal conflict-of-interest regulations and may violate federal criminal statutes. These activities, therefore, not only subject managers to possible prosecution, but also significantly impair the integrity of VA's procurement process.