The Oregon Secretary of State Audits Division is basking in the glow of national recognition, having been awarded the 2024 Excellence in Accountability Award for its scrutiny of pharmacy benefit managers in Oregon's Medicaid program. This top honor by the National State Auditors Association (NSAA) isn't new territory for the team; they've won the award four times in recent years.
In a statement obtained by the Oregon Audits Division's news hub, Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade expressed immense pride in the division’s past and present triumphs. She remarked, “This level of consistently exceptional work, as evidenced by the years of awards, helps build public trust in Oregon government.” Awards were previously landed by the division in 2020 for their Prescription Drug Monitoring Program audit, in 2019 for inspecting Oregon’s foster care system, and in 2018 for a warning on ineligible Medicaid recipients.
The NSAA's Excellence in Accountability Awards aren't handed out like candy; they represent the pinnacle of performance audits and special projects. Past recognition has set a high bar for audit teams across the country, with Oregon's team continually rising to the occasion.
Hammering home the importance of this work, Audits Director Kip Memmott lauded his team's meticulous efforts, “This pharmacy benefit manager audit is just one in a long line of diligent audit work focused on Oregon’s Medicaid program.” According to the Oregon newsroom, Memmott further added, “Medicaid is the largest and most costly government program in the state, serving more than one million Oregonians. That also makes it extremely high risk, which is why one Medicaid audit has appeared on every annual audit plan for the last eight years.” Oregon has reportedly enjoyed a hefty return on investment from the Medicaid audits, with savings in the tens of millions.
The award was accepted by the audit team and Audits Director Kip Memmott at the NSAA annual conference, which took place in Boise, Idaho.
The diligence of the Oregon Secretary of State’s Audits Division has not only uncovered essential insights for the effective running of the state's Medicaid program but has also cemented its standing as a formidable watchdog in the realm of government oversight. As the Audits Division continues to rack up accolades and recognition, their ongoing commitment to accountability remains clear.
