Posted on Oct 2, 2015
Should VA use medical care funds for a facilities project?
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http://www.stripes.com/va-art-budget-comes-under-fire-in-congress-1.371266
Not sure I can say it any differently: “It is simply beyond me why VA would choose to pay to complete the Denver project by cutting medical services and medical facility dollars but not the exorbitant conference spending, or bloated relocation expenses or art,” Miller said.
Not sure I can say it any differently: “It is simply beyond me why VA would choose to pay to complete the Denver project by cutting medical services and medical facility dollars but not the exorbitant conference spending, or bloated relocation expenses or art,” Miller said.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Health
Art
Congress
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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As far as I know they can't. The facilities would be paid for with procurement dollars and the health care would fall under operations and maintenance. You can NEVER EVER use one type of funding for something in another category.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
That was my assessment as well. It was one of the first lessons I learned when taking government budgetary classes. The "pots or colors of money" issue.
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SGT David T.
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - I don't think even the VA managers would risk going to jail over that lol
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
After seeing your response it reminded me of VA's National Creative Arts Festival ( https://www.flickr.com/photos/veteransaffairs/sets/ [login to see] 2477510 ). We sponsored it in Coatesville PA one year and I was intimately involved in the organization of the event so I was able to witness some of the most beautiful talents of our veterans. Curious why we aren't looking at these talented veterans to help put the art into the facilities. Why not make the end prize to include placing the work at a VA facility if not forever, then for a time.
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This seems like a "colors of money" issue. They shouldn't even be allowed to use operational funds for structure projects. That's counter to the 1 year, 5 year, 10 year planning scheme enacted by Congress. Unless things have changed massively since I got out of the game.
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
I'm with you Sgt Aaron Kennedy, the Appropriations Act prohibits the intermingling of funds. Obviously VA had submitted a request to Congress, as they are the only ones who can amend the Act to move funds between previously approved appropriations.
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