The Capital Budget - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1569 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Research paper Did you like this example? The Capital Budget Introduction The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States and provides public-sector care for honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. armed forces. The VHA is mostly financed from general taxation, offers a broad range of health care services to meet veterans needs, and can be characterized as a veteran-specific national health service. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Capital Budget" essay for you Create order Historically, since the 1970s, the quality of the VHAs service was considered poor by almost all relevant stakeholders who have significance to the organization. Currently, VHA is a large vital system that offers a useful consensus for the opponents of integrated publicly financed and provided health care. In recent years, many articles has been published in academic and popular press reporting a significant change in the VHAs performance indicating that U.S. health policymakers have interesting facets to learn from the system in the context of its high cost and apparent underperformance of the predominant, market-based sector (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). The Department of Veteran Administration (VA) primary responsibility and accountability is to provide effective usage of taxpayer dollars and continues to eliminate wasteful spending. Payroll Forecast The Veteran Administrationsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ compensation reported new rates for compensation and pension benefits in 2014 are subjected to the types of compensation. VA disability compensation provides monthly benefits to Veterans in recognition of the effects of disabilities, diseases, or injuries incurred or aggravated during active military service. The program also provides monthly payments to surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents in recognition of the economic loss caused by a Veterans death during military service or after discharge from military service as a result of a service-connected disability (www.benefits.va.gov). U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs reported that Veterans, their families and survivors that get disability compensation and pension benefits received a 1.5% for a cost-of-living increase embedded into their monthly payments which began on Jan. 1, 2014. This sentiment provided the in crease expresses a substantial way that our Nationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s gratitude of the sacrifices given by our disabled and wartime serviced Veterans. As required by law, the disability payments did not round down to the nearest dollar figure, and that Veterans and survivors will receive an additional increase to their monthly benefit compensation payment. For Veterans without dependents, the new compensation rates ranged from $130.94 monthly with a disability rate at 10% to $2,858.24 monthly. The COLA increase applied to disability and death pension recipients, survivors receiving dependency and indemnity compensation, and other benefits like automobile and clothing allowances. Under federal law, the cost-of-living adjustments for VAà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s compensation and pension matched those for Social Security benefits. In January 2013, the last adjustment was made when the Social Security benefits rate increased to 1.7 percent. In FY2013, VA provided over $59 billion in compensati on benefits to nearly 4 million Veterans and survivors, and more than 515,000 Veterans and survivors spent $5 billion in pension benefits (www.va.gov/opa/pressrel). Trend Analysis Noticeably, the competition in healthcare and the evolution over the past decade has been a rollercoaster dilemma and the use of market forces in healthcare has provided important discussions for future healthcare developments. During the period when managed care was accepted to transform the way Medicare care organization provided services in which the reversal of many of the changes took place. With the integrated delivery vision implemented is now being replaced that consumers take a more active role in their well-being and healthcare services. This evolution now provides a greater role for consumers to apply more competitive pressure on providers to improve their quality of care and reduced costs. Therefore, future competition might revolve around consumersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ to choose healthcare providers with the quality ratings and better efficiencies. The Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) periodically surveys households and physicians which effective responses hav e the potential that may evolve in different directions in the future. Unfortunately, the market and policymakers reacted and the responses to the backlash in opposition to managed care that concluded some perspectives on the healthcare evolution for competition fostering in the next few years (www.healthaffairs.org). The Department of Veteran Administration advocating being a responsible steward and closely monitor the resources and essential needs. VA continues to work to decrease improper payments, recoup misallocated funds and to effectively dispose of unwarranted real estate. In addition, VA continued to improve the systems used that forecast and capture cost by adopting the process of direct tracking of people, equipment and consumables goods through the implementation of a modernized financial management system. As the Department continues to plan, program, budgets, and execute (PPBE) processes that connect strategy to budget and subsequently budget to performance. Also, it will continue to review internal buying patterns including identifying opportunities for strategic sourcing that will achieve considerable savings for recurring requirements (www.va.gov). 3. Expenditure Forecast The Veteran Administration FY2014-2020 Strategic Plan builds on past accomplishments to drive improvements in quality, customer service, preparedness and management systems. The Plan includes emphasis on Veteran by allowing them to control how, when and where they wish to be served. The FY 2014-2015 agency priority goals are: 1) Improve veteran access to benefits and services, 2) Eliminate the disability claims backlog, and 3) Eliminate veteran homelessness. Since the CBO examined the demands on VA and projects, the resources the agency need to provide medical care for all enrolled veterans during the next 10 years (2011à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å"2020) with no predicted appropriations for VA (www.va.gov). In developing the strategic plan and looking beyond FY2014-2020 timeframe, the strategic goals and objectives is to improve VA in the short term while positioning the VA Department the capability to respond to many challenges and opportunities they face in the next 15-20 years. The FY 2014-2 020 Strategic Plan is based on rigorous analysis of long-term trends that affect veterans includes their benefits, service delivery and the workforce by conducting scenarios which describe a range of future challenges and opportunities the VA Department may confront 20 years from now in order to respond and adjust to vital trends, challenges and opportunities (www.va.gov). On November 7, 2014, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The 2010 National Survey of Veterans (NSV)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  public data file in Excel format. The file contains results of the data collection such as veterans demographic and socio-economic characteristics and identifies VA benefits and services most utilized by Veterans. The expenditures vary according to each state from highest/lowest usages in thousands of dollars. For the State of Indiana, recorded the Veteran Population: 490,380; Compensation Pensions: $1,092,855; Education Vocational Rehab: $150,033; Insurance Indemnities: $27,941; Construction: $8,783; Loan Guaranty #: $0; General Operating Expenses: $48,931; Medical Care: $1,149,224 for a total expenditure equal $2,477,767 (www.va.gov/vetdata/expenditures.asp). Capital Budget Compare two (2) options for predicting the cost of needed repairs to the current building that houses the selected agency by completing Exercise 1 at the end of Chapter 1 (page 92). Provide a rationale for recommending one (1) of the two (2) options. Include the figures to support the rationale. The city administration is considering refurbishing the lighting system of its administration building. After an initial investigation, the city procurement office has narrowed down the choices to the following two options: ÃÆ' ¢-   Option 1 is an Urgolight system that costs $500,000 to purchase and install. ÃÆ' ¢-   Option 2 is a conventional system that costs $100,000 to purchase and install. ÃÆ' ¢-   Both systems are expected to last for 20 years. ÃÆ' ¢-   The energy cost for option 1 is $20,000 and maintenance is $2,000 in todayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s dollars. ÃÆ' ¢-   The energy cost for option 2 is $50,000 and maintenance is $10,000, also in todayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s dollars. ÃÆ' ¢-   Assume that the discount rate is 4% and all future costs are paid at end of year. PROJECTED INSTALLATION SYSTEMS OPTION 1: Urgolight OPTION 2: Conventional Cost Efficiency Net Present Value (NPV) $ 500,000 $ 100,000 2 Payback Period (PP) Year End Year End 1 2 Energy Cost 20,000 50,000 1 Maintenance Cost 2,000 10,000 1 Discount Rate 4% 480,000 96,000 2 Expectation: 20 Years X X 1 2 (Chen, Forsythe, Weikart Williams, 2009, p.92). Capital expenditures refer to expenditures for expensive and long-lasting goods in which organizations set a minimum life expectancy such as five years before it is called a capital good. Also, a minimum value is set such as $50,000 before it is classified as a good or group of goods bought at once. Therefore, recommend to elect Option2 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Conventionalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  due to the initial savings between the two choices. Conclusion The Department of Veteran Administration (VA) has a fundamental responsibility to be an effective steward of taxpayer dollars and continue to eliminate wasteful spending, as well as, make sure that effective controls, practices and safeguards methods are in position that prohibits misspending of tax dollars (www.va.gov). References Benefits.va.gov. (2014). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Veteran Administration Compensations.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Retrieved, Nov. 2, 2014 from https://www.benefits.va.go v/COMPENSATION/types-compensation.asp Benefits.va.gov. (2014). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Compensations: Benefits Rates.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Retrieved, Nov. 2, 2014 from www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/rates-index.asp. Chen, G. G., Forsythe, D. W., Weikart, L. A., Williams, D. W. (2009). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Budget Tools: Financial Methods in the Public Sector.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, p.92 HealthAffairs.org. (2014). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Competition in Health Care: Evolution Over The Past Decade.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Retrieved, Nov. 8, 2014 from https://content.healthaffairs.org/content/24/6/1512.full Oliver, Adam. (2007). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Veterans Health Administration: An American Success Story.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Retrieved, Nov. 8, 2014 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2690309 VA.gov. (2014). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Expenditures.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Retrieved, Nov. 6, 2014 from https://www.va.gov/vetdata/ Expenditures.asp VA.gov. (2014). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Strategic Planning.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Retrieved, Nov. 8, 2014 from https://www.va.gov/op3/docs/StrategicPlanning/VA2014-2020strategicPlan.PDF VA.gov. (2014). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Veterans to Receive 1.5% Cost-of-Living Increase.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Retrieved Nov. 3, 2014, from https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2503

Do Social Networking Sites Have Mostly Positive or Negative Effects on Society Free Essay Example, 1500 words

According to the research, social media has been found to enhance self-image and confidence among the users. In an article by Kelly Wallace, the author reports that research has shown that social media makes teenagers feel confident. The author reports the findings of the research conducted by Common Sense Media, which is a child advocacy group, which show that social media helps teenagers feel less shy. This is because, through social media, people are able to interact with many people from various backgrounds. Through this interaction, the user s confidence is enhanced, and this helps him/her interact with others more effectively in the real world. Social media is analogs to a mirror: when one looks at himself/herself through the mirror, they tend to appreciate their beauty and other attributes. In this case, the connections we make through social media are like the reflection through which we see ourselves. The views by others and comments help build our confidence. Opponents of social media argue that these sites have in fact enhanced cases of cyberbullying, which have in turn reduced people s confidence and self-image online, especially among teenagers. We will write a custom essay sample on Do Social Networking Sites Have Mostly Positive or Negative Effects on Society or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Whereas this may be true, it should be noted that cyberbullying only affects a small percentage of users. In addition, cyberbullying can be addressed by teaching younger users on how to use these sites and people to interact with. Unlike what critics portray, the effects of cyberbullying are limited and cannot be used to erode the positives of social media and social networking. Social networking sites are good platforms for relieving stress, anxiety, and boredom. In a world where people are faced with challenges and stress arising from the workplace, families, and friends, network sites such as Twitter and Facebook are important for revealing such stress. When people communicate and interact with many people, they tend to share ideas on how to deal with such problems. By chatting with a colleague or friend, a person can reduce anxiety or stress.

My Theory Of Motivation And Its Origin - 936 Words

My theory of motivation and its origin My theory of motivation is that, as humans, we are motivated from sociocultural influences affecting our behavior to belong within our culture through external input from parents and peers, experiences, and media exposure, as it pertains to acceptance of ourselves. This theory has been formulated through a combination of college course work and from personal observations of people within my life. When I was in my social psychology class at Seton Hill University it opened up a new way of thinking about how big an influence society can affect our motivational goals and aspirations. Societal influences can force us to change our motivational path of careers, friendships, relationships, and many other aspects of life. Lets say your friends are focusing on graduation and advancing to masters degree programs, because of the social influence of your friends looking into graduate schools you would be more motivated to pursue acceptance of graduate s chool. The same applies, for this example with no additional societal influence, if your friends were to have no desire of continuing on to college after high school. You are motivated because of others surrounding your current status within the universe. As for our experiences influencing our motivation, I have learned from my classes that we generally do not want negative behaviors and outcomes. 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Admissions Essay B free essay sample

My younger brother Jay is a typical, gangly 16 year old. A gangly 6 foot tall, he shares the same bright smile, blue eyes, and thick blonde hair that I have. Outwardly, he is a typical sophomore. Inwardly, Asperger’s Syndrome has delayed his motor development, impeded his speech, made social interactions a daily, challenging trial, and has made him frustrated by crowds, bright lights, and loud sounds. Asperger’s Syndrome is an Autism Spectrum disorder. It is characterized by significant difficulties with social interaction, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. Asperger’s is from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of language capabilites (often delayed, like in by brother’s case) and cognitive development. Since Jay was little, he has avoided eye contact, made rather odd faces and occasionally makes very odd postures, asked millions of questions about people and dates, and, of course, has attained an almost inhuman knowledge of trains. We will write a custom essay sample on Admissions Essay B or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As long as I can remember, Thomas the Tank toys and covered the floor of his room, and quite often, every other room in the house. Magazines describing how to make model train layouts and large, hardcover books filled with photographs of trains have buried my Seventeens, Cosmopolitans, and textbooks. I love my little brother dearly, even though his incessant questions and intense love of classic rock have often rattled my nerves. It breaks my heart when I realize that the chances are slim to none that he will ever go to college, get married, have a family, or become a train engineer, his dream as long as I can remember. Jay is the reason that I proudly support Autism Awareness.