WASHINGTON — Federal watchdogs have found gaps in how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) screens candidates for health care jobs.
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), in treating over 9 million veterans annually, is responsible for ensuring that its providers are qualified, competent and suitable to provide care.
But, in a February report, the Government Accountability Office identified more than 12,500 VA employees with indications of controlled substance-related criminal history.
Of them, the GAO found 50 of the employees had one or more controlled substance-related felony convictions.
The problem is, the VHA has no policy regarding Drug Enforcement Administration employment waivers, including guidance for determining whether an employee has access to controlled substances.
"Without adequate controls to ensure that it completes background investigations as required, VHA lacks reasonable assurances that its employees are properly vetted and suitable to provide care to veterans," said Seto Bagdoyan, a Director in GAO's Forensic Audits and Investigative Service team, during testimony before the House Veterans Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on December 6.
The panel's chairwoman, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Virginia, 2nd District) said in an interview with 13News Now: "It puts our veterans at risk."
During the hearing, Kiggans said that the VA reported 1,400 instances of controlled substance theft.
She said action is needed to correct the deficiencies in hiring.
"Given the VA's consistent failure to get rid of its few bad employees, including situations I've heard about like employee drug theft, it's crucial that the VA does not hire dangerous employees in the first place," she said.
Back in February, the GAO made 14 recommendations.
So far, the Veterans Health Administration hasn't acted upon any of them.