The Department of Veterans Affairs reportedly violated a federal appropriations law when it used $51.9 million in medical appropriations to fund health IT developments, including mobile apps and upgrades to its EHR system, reports MeriTalk, citing a preliminary inspector general report.
The VA reportedly "circumvented IT policy and appropriations law to avoid competing for IT systems appropriations" when it used the funds for IT-related projects, according to the report. MeriTalk explains that the appropriations law prohibits using medical care support and services for anything other than expenses related to patient care, medical supplies and equipment, prescription drugs and healthcare provider salaries.
According to the preliminary report, the VA spent $39.1 million of the $51.9 million on the IT projects instead of medical care and administrative activities, reports MeriTalk.
The report suggests the VA diverted these funds to the IT projects because the agency did not have necessary funding to develop apps that were part of a 2012 mobile development initiative, led by former VA CIO Stephen Warren.
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