WASHINGTON — Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi today announced the creation of a new VA Business Oversight Board, which he will chair, to oversee VA’s business processes and make recommendations for improvements.
“The Business Oversight Board will review all major business policy and operations issues,” said Principi. “It will bring a sound dollars-and-cents perspective to VA’s business practices and strategic plans.”
The business processes include procurement, collections (primarily focused on medical collections), capital assets management, and business revolving funds (Canteen, General Post Fund, Franchise Fund, Supply Fund).
The new board will analyze the costs and benefits of strategic plans approved by Secretary Principi and identify, monitor and manage key business issues facing VA.
One of the board’s main focuses will be procurement reform. Secretary Principi recently announced more than 60 reforms to the department’s nearly $6 billion-a-year contracting operations that will improve efficiency and extend VA’s buying power for its health care system.
In addition, VA has been reconfiguring its revenue collection program and currently has four pilot tests in different parts of the country. Once the final test results are in, the Business Oversight Board will monitor progress toward an improved way to manage and track collections and accurate insurance information.
VA is developing and implementing market-based plans for restructuring VA’s capital assets, with the goal of reducing the funds needed to operate and maintain the capital assets infrastructure. The funds could then be used to provide enhanced care for veterans in settings and locations that are best for them.
As part of its oversight function, the board will coordinate the work of existing oversight groups and activities in an effort to improve the overall business processes efficiency, effectiveness and goals.
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