Centers of Excellence: DOD and VA Need Better Documentation of Oversight Procedures
Abstract
Both DOD and VA's VHA have COEs that are expected to improve certain services throughout both agencies' health care systems. To date, DOD and VHA have designated 7 and 70 COEs, respectively. Congressional hearings have raised questions about DOD's and VHA's oversight of the COEs, including the criteria used to designate them, and whether they are meeting their intended missions. GAO was asked to review DOD and VHA COEs. GAO (1) examined the criteria and processes DOD and VHA use to designate entities as COEs and (2) assessed how DOD and VHA document the oversight activities related to their agencies' COEs. GAO compared agency criteria against federal internal control standards, and analyzed relevant laws, committee reports, and available agency documents. GAO also analyzed documents from the 7 Defense COEs and from the 6 VHA service offices responsible for the 70 VHA COEs to understand the criteria and processes used to designate them and how oversight activities are documented. GAO interviewed officials from both agencies to obtain additional information about their COEs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1168803
Entities
People
- Randall B. Williamson
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office