The U.S. Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs thinks the merger of the Brecksville and Wade Park facilities was flawed, according to a recent report. 

According to an Oct. 1 Plain Dealer article, the Inspector General reviewed the merger and recently issued a lengthy report criticizing it, saying it would cost taxpayers money, rather than saving it. The investigation began after the project’s contractor was accused of corruption-related crimes. 

Check out the full story for a closer look at the Inspector General’s issues with the consolidation. 

In 2011, Medical Center Director Susan Fuehrer told Brecksville Patch that the move was “the best thing for patients,” focusing on the continuity of care the merger would provide, rather than straight cost savings.  

The official response from the Office of Veterans Affairs, which included the Cleveland office, is included in the Inspector General's report and notes that the consolidation allowed for improved "service delivery" for veterans and argues that savings are "being realized." The response begins on page 45 of the report.

The closing has affected the city, with officials saying that the loss of revenue from the closing of the Brecksville campus has been more devastating than the recession for Brecksville. In recent years, the center had accounted for at least 14 percent of Brecksville’s total income tax revenues, Patch reported in August. The city does plan to develop that land. 

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