(Photo: Cindy Shebly)
House lawmakers are pressing the VA for explanations regarding the involvement of consulting firm McKinsey and Company in the department’s decisions to prescribe opioids to Veterans. This occurrence happened while McKinsey and Company was simultaneously advising opioid manufacturers on how to sell these medications to the VA.
Lawmakers expressed their concern over this apparent conflict of interest in a letter, spearheaded by U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) and signed by several other representatives. The letter criticized McKinsey and Company’s ability to influence VA decision-making in favor of its opioid manufacturer clients, potentially harming Veterans. They stated the societal damage caused by prescription opioids, noting the staggering death toll and the significant number of Veterans prescribed these medications.
While McKinsey and Company denied any conflict of interest, the lawmakers emphasized the severity of the issue, particularly given its extensive involvement in VA contracts, totaling approximately $117 million since 2009. They called for a thorough investigation into McKinsey and Company’s past consulting contracts with the VA to identify any similar conflicts of interest and proposed a review of the VA’s vetting procedures for its advisers.
The lawmakers cited McKinsey and Company’s work with opioid companies Purdue Pharma and Endo, revealing presentations designed at boosting sales of opioids to institutions like VA hospitals. They expressed disbelief that the VA would entrust significant decision-making to contractors like McKinsey and Company, whose primary objective is profit rather than Veterans’ well-being.
Despite McKinsey and Company’s assertion of innocence, recent lawsuits and settlements have raised further questions about its role in the opioid epidemic. The lawmakers demand accountability from both McKinsey and Company and the VA, seeking assurances that the department will prioritize transparency and accountability in its contracts moving forward.
In response to inquiries, a representative from the VA asserted that the department did not perceive any overlap between McKinsey and Company’s advisory position within the opioid industry and its contractual obligations to the VA. However, the lawmakers remain steadfast in their pursuit of answers, emphasizing the need to put the well-being of Veterans first and ensure that conflicts of interest are properly addressed.
With recent reports indicating potential lapses in the VA’s conflict-of-interest procedures for McKinsey and Company contracts, alongside the firm’s additional involvements, lawmakers have heightened their scrutiny and await a response from VA Secretary Denis McDonough regarding how the department plans to prioritize transparency and accountability in the future.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
