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Sen. Sabrina Salas Matanane has scheduled a Nov. 13 oversight hearing on the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs after the release of an investigative audit that found long wait times for services and an increased risk for fraud and abuse for veterans. Salas Matanane chairs the committee with oversight of health and veterans affairs. The oversight hearing is set for 9 a.m. on Nov. 13 at the Guam Congress Building, and will also be broadcast live on the Guam Legislature’s YouTube channel. Salas Matanane said the findings of the Office of Public Accountability audit highlight areas that directly affect the services and support that veterans deserve. “Many of the issues identified in this audit have been longstanding and span multiple administrations,” the senator said. “This hearing will give us the opportunity to have open discussions about the root causes and find real, lasting solutions that strengthen the delivery of services to Guam’s veterans.” OPA, in its report, said veterans with active claims wait at least a month before they could meet with a veteran service organization representative at GOVA. That’s because there were only nine employees serving some 24,000 veterans and their families. OPA also said the inadequate funding and staffing at GOVA not only continues to limit its ability to timely and efficiently meet its mandates, but also creates “a high risk for breaches in security and loss of physical records.” With limited resources at GOVA, veterans then go to community-based and nonprofits not accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, so there may also be an “increased risk for fraud and abuse” for the veterans, OPA said. Salas Matanane’s committee agenda will include discussions on the following key areas: staffing, veterans claims, the Guam Veterans Registry, cemetery operations, office space, data management and information security, and equipment and supplies. The purpose of the oversight hearing, which will be held two days after the annual observance of Veterans Day, is not only to address the audit findings but to help identify sustainable improvements, Salas Matanane said. “Our veterans deserve efficient services, accurate recordkeeping, and a well-supported agency that honors their sacrifices,” she added.
