The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) say there is a $33 million shortfall in the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) and says financial “irregularities” may go back several years, according to multiple reports.
The budget shortfall is already impacting funding for local EMS agencies across Virginia. As part of that shortfall, the state’s 2023 EMS symposium was canceled.
State officials say “financial irregularities” date back several years.
“These included a history of moving funds amongst accounts to cover shortfalls, services being provided without appropriate funding, overspending of contracts, and little to no VDH oversight,” according to documents. “After further review by VDH leadership, it was determined that there was potential fraudulent activity, and the Office of the Inspector General and the Virginia State Police were notified.”
Because potential fraudulent activity was suspected, the state’s Office of the Inspector General and the Virginia State Police were notified. The status of those investigations is not known.