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Michigan Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
From the Introduction: "Michigan is the 9th largest state with regard population with an equally large territory encompassing large urban, rural, and remote areas. The purpose of the MDHHS [Michigan Department of Health and Human Services], Division of Immunization COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccination plan is to provide a framework for planning/implementation, vaccine distribution and monitoring of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Division of Immunizations will use a phased approach to recruit and enroll providers, identify critical populations, and work with local health departments and partners to determine vaccine allocation. Communication strategies will include, trainings with immunization nurse educators, sharing information on our MDHHS COVID-19 dashboard, hosting statewide calls, and sharing critical resources. The Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) will be used to track and order the COVID vaccine and manage vaccine inventories."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-11-02
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Management Alert - FPS Did Not Properly Designate DHS Employees Deployed to Protect Federal Properties Under 40 U.S.C. § 1315(b)(1)
From the Summary of Issues: "Under 40 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 1315, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security is required to protect Federal property and people on that property. To assist him with this task, the Secretary can 'designate employees of [DHS] ... as officers and agents for duty in connection with the protection of property owned or occupied by the Federal Government and persons on the property, including duty in areas outside the property to the extent necessary to protect the property and persons on the property.' We are issuing this management alert because the Director of the Federal Protective Service (FPS) did not properly designate DHS employees recently deployed to protect Federal properties under 40 U.S.C. § 1315(b)(1)."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2020-11-02
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Aviation Safety: FAA's Office of Aviation Safety Should Take Additional Actions to Ensure Its Workforce Has Needed Skills, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights; "FAA's [Federal Aviation Administration] aviation safety workforce is vital to ensuring that the agency fulfills its mission to provide a safe and efficient national airspace system. With the challenges of a large number of potential retirements on the horizon and the introduction of new aviation technologies, FAA must ensure that safety inspectors and engineers possess skills needed for effective oversight as well as for a variety of highly technical skills in aerospace technology. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on the workforce and training needs of AVS [Office of Aviation Safety]. This report addresses, among other things, the extent to which AVS (1) assesses competency gaps in its inspector and engineer workforces and (2) ensures its training program provides these workforces with needed competencies."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Defense Reform: DOD Has Made Progress, but Needs to Further Refine and Formalize Its Reform Efforts, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DOD spends billions of dollars each year to maintain key business operations. Section 921 of the NDAA [John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act] for FY 2019 established requirements for DOD to reform these operations and report on their efforts. DOD has also undertaken additional efforts to reform its operations in recent years. Section 921 called for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to assess the accuracy of DOD's reported cost baselines and savings, and section 1753 of the NDAA for FY 2020 called for GAO to report on the OCMO's [Office of the Chief Management Officer] efficiency initiatives. This report assesses the extent to which DOD has (1) established valid and reliable baseline cost estimates for its business operations; (2) established well-documented cost savings estimates reflecting its reforms; and (3) coordinated its reform efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Financial Audit: Bureau of the Fiscal Service's FY 2020 and FY 2019 Schedules of Federal Debt, Report to the Secretary of the Treasury
From the Highlights: "GAO [Government Accountability Office] audits the consolidated financial statements of the U.S. government. Because of the significance of the federal debt to the government-wide financial statements, GAO audits Fiscal Service's Schedules of Federal Debt annually to determine whether, in all material respects, (1) the schedules are fairly presented and (2) Fiscal Service management maintained effective internal control over financial reporting relevant to the Schedule of Federal Debt. Further, GAO tests compliance with selected provisions of applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements related to the Schedule of Federal Debt."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update [1 November 2020]
From the Document: "As of 1 November, nearly 46 million cases and 1.2 million deaths have been reported globally. The further acceleration in the incidence of new cases was most notable in European Region, which reported half of global new cases (over 1.7 million cases - a 22% increase from the previous week. Moreover, the region also reported a substantial rise in the number of new deaths (a 46% increase compared with the previous week), with Europe and the Americas now each reporting over 17 000 new deaths in the last 7 days.) The Americas and the Eastern-Mediterranean Regions have also seen relatively smaller rises in the number of reported cases. The South-East Asia Region has continued to report a decline in new cases and deaths, while case incidence continues to fluctuate around similar rates compared to recent weeks in the African and Western Pacific Regions."
World Health Organization
2020-11-01
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Human Trafficking: Agencies Have Taken Steps to Strengthen International Anti-Trafficking Projects, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Human trafficking, a multi-billion dollar industry, is a pervasive problem throughout the world. In addition to harming its victims, it imposes social and public health costs and undermines government authority. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on programs conducted by specific agencies, including State [Department of State], USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development], and DOL [Department of Labor], which address trafficking in persons. This report (1) describes recent international anti-trafficking in persons projects that key U.S. agencies have awarded to implementing partners; (2) describes State's Program to End Modern Slavery, and the extent to which State conducted oversight for subaward selection; (3) describes agencies' U.S. international anti-trafficking project evaluation efforts, including actions agencies are taking to address challenges to such evaluations; and (4) examines the extent to which agencies used selected midterm evaluations to strengthen ongoing projects, among other things."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Rule of Law Assistance: State and USAID Could Improve Monitoring Efforts, Report to the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Rule of law strengthens protection of fundamental rights and serves as a foundation for democratic governance and economic growth. According to State [U.S. Department of State], strengthening judicial and legal systems in certain countries is vital to U.S. national security interests. State and USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development] allocated over $2.7 billion for rule of law assistance overseas from fiscal years 2014 through 2018. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review monitoring and evaluation of U.S. rule of law assistance around the world. This report examines, among other objectives, the extent to which the agencies followed key practices for monitoring rule of law projects in selected countries, and processes agencies have in place to use evaluations to inform future rule of law assistance."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Building a More Resilient ICT Supply Chain: Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Executive Summary: "The impacts of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic on the Information Technology and Communication (ICT) sector's supply chains are still unfolding. To understand how IT [information technology] companies have been impacted, and to identify lessons learned about supply chain vulnerabilities and the potential ways to address them going forward, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) Task Force, a partnership between the IT and Communications Sector Coordinating Councils and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) formed a study group (collectively, 'the Study Group'). The goal of the Study Group was to uncover the impacts of COVID-19 on the ICT supply chains and make practical recommendations that can support policy and operational decisions to strengthen and build additional resilience into ICT supply chains in the future. These recommendations can support policy and operational decisions intended to strengthen supply chains going forward. The study also provides a high-level visual mapping of how goods and services flow through the generalized ICT supply chain, from the raw materials stage through to sale to the consumer."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
2020-11
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COVID and Corrections: A Profile of COVID Deaths in Custody in Texas
From the Introduction: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] has had a uniquely devastating impact on prisons and jails across the country. [...] Provided here are figures to help establish a shared understanding of the problem's scope and a starting place for discussion about potential policy responses. The brief begins with some key datapoints for easy reference. Then, we provide an overview of the death toll of incarcerated people and people who staff Texas prisons and jails. We compare Texas' prison deaths as a proportion of the prison population and infection rates with those for the state as a whole, the nation overall, and some peer prison systems in other jurisdictions. Next is an analysis of the demographics of people who died in terms of their age and race. We then briefly examine the legal status of those who died in custody, including their conviction status, sentences, parole eligibility, and conviction offense. By presenting this information, we hope to create a more detailed picture of the toll of COVID in Texas prisons and jails. The context and implications of the data will be examined in a future report. This brief covers only state-operated prisons and county-operated jails."
Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs
Deitch, Michele; Welch, Alycia; Bucknall, William . . .
2020-11
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Aviation Certification: FAA Needs to Strengthen Its Design Review Process for Small Airplanes, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] is undergoing a major change in how it reviews and certifies the designs of small airplanes. The Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013 directed FAA to streamline its design reviews to improve safety, regulatory cost burden, innovation, and technology adoption. In 2016, FAA shifted from prescriptive design requirements to performance-based regulations. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 directed GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review FAA's implementation of these regulations. This report examines: (1) FAA's implementation of performance-based safety regulations for small airplanes and (2) FAA's efforts to measure the effect of these regulations on safety, regulatory cost burden, innovation, and technology adoption."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Trade-Offs of Remote Work: Building a More Resilient Workplace for the Post-COVID-19 World
From the Executive Summary: "Before the pandemic, remote work in America was a luxury reserved for just 7 percent of the workforce, mostly highly educated and highly paid knowledge workers. Then, in a matter of weeks, COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] forced virtually every industry, employer, and worker to transform their approach to work by shifting to an almost entirely remote model. It will be years before we fully understand how this shift has affected the economy, individual industries, and employees. This report seeks to outline the positive and negative trade-offs of remote work for employers and employees. We hope to improve the collective understanding of the existing research on remote work and some of the immediate impacts of COVID-19 and point the way toward areas of needed research."
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
Orrell, Brent; Leger, Matthew
2020-11
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COVID-19: Federal Efforts Accelerate Vaccine and Therapeutic Development, but More Transparency Needed on Emergency Use Authorizations, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "The U.S. had about 10.3 million cumulative reported cases of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] and about 224,000 reported deaths as of November 12, 2020. Given this catastrophic loss of life as well as the pandemic's effects on the U.S. economy, effective and safe vaccines and therapeutics are more important than ever. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO to report on its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report examines, (1) efforts of Operation Warp Speed to accelerate COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic development; and (2) FDA's use of EUAs [emergency use authorizations] for COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines, among other objectives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Joint Strategic Plan 2020 to 2023
From the Document: "This Joint Strategic Plan, developed by the Office of the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, brings together the combined and coordinated efforts of the White House, the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Homeland Security, State, Treasury, Defense, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. Copyright Office. This report was originally mandated to be submitted by the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator over a decade ago by the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008, and builds upon that framework to provide an overview of the Trump Administration's intellectual property enforcement strategy and policy efforts. For the United States' approach to intellectual property and innovation policy to be successful, it must continue to be a combined effort that includes all branches of government, the private sector, and our international partners."
United States. White House Office. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator
2020-11?
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Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes [November 2020, Version 14]
From the Objective: "This toolkit catalogs the many innovative solutions designed at the state level to protect our nation's vulnerable nursing home residents during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Beginning in October 2020, the toolkit includes up-to-date information, guidance, and innovative programs designed to increase vaccine use against influenza virus, pneumococcus (bacterium), and SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes COVID-19."
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (U.S.)
2020-11
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Weapon System Sustainment: Aircraft Mission Capable Rates Generally Did Not Meet Goals and Cost of Sustaining Selected Weapon Systems Varied Widely, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Document: "GAO [Government Accountability Office] examined 46 types of aircraft and found that only three met their annual mission capable goals in a majority of the years for fiscal years 2011 through 2019 and 24 did not meet their annual mission capable goals in any fiscal year as shown below. The mission capable rate--the percentage of total time when the aircraft can fly and perform at least one mission--is used to assess the health and readiness of an aircraft fleet."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Nuclear Waste Disposal: Better Planning Needed to Avoid Potential Disruptions at Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DOE's [Department of Energy] WIPP [Waste Isolation Pilot Plant] is the nation's only deep geologic repository for the disposal of defense-related nuclear waste. DOE suspended operations at WIPP after two accidents in 2014 and resumed on a limited scale in 2017. DOE has initiated two projects to improve WIPP's underground ventilation system and allow full disposal operations to resume. However, DOE estimates WIPP's existing physical space will be full around 2025, and DOE faces a statutory limitation on how much waste can be disposed of at WIPP. Senate Report No. 115-125 accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review DOE's actions to bring WIPP towards full operational status. This report examines DOE's (1) plans to meet needs for physical space at WIPP without exceeding WIPP's statutory capacity, (2) challenges to completing key ventilation projects, and (3) plans for adding physical space at WIPP without interruption to operations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Defense Acquisitions: Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture Would Benefit from Defined Goals and Governance, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Cyberspace is a growing, human-made environment that touches many parts of life, including education, economic development, health, and other public services. For DOD, cyberspace is as important as the traditional land, sea, air, and space warfighting domains. To integrate these disparate cyber systems into a more cohesive capability, U.S. Cyber Command introduced an overarching vision for cyber capabilities known as the Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture. The Senate Armed Services Committee included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review the status of the JCWA [Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture]. This report (1) describes the JCWA concept, systems, and planned capabilities; and (2) assesses the extent to which DOD has defined interoperability goals and a governance structure to guide JCWA cyber system acquisitions."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Defense Intelligence: Comprehensive Plan Needed to Improve Stakeholder Engagement in the Development of New Military Intelligence System, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Foundational military intelligence--all-source intelligence collected by the Intelligence Community (IC) on other countries' militaries--is a critical element in planning for military operations. The DIA [Defense Intelligence Agency] legacy system for processing such intelligence is unable to meet current needs, and DIA intends to replace it with MARS [Machine-Assisted Analytic Rapid-Repository System]. MARS is expected to transform the way the IC approaches and generates foundational military intelligence. However, agencies can face a wide array of issues in developing a new system of this magnitude, including incorporating feedback from a large number of stakeholders. A committee report accompanying the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review MARS development. This report (1) describes the initial risks DIA and stakeholders have identified in the development of MARS and the actions DIA has taken to manage risk and (2) assesses how DIA is engaging potential stakeholders in the development of capabilities for the MARS program."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Stop the Virus of Disinformation: The Risk of Malicious Use of Social Media During COVID-19 and the Technology Options to Fight it
From the Foreword: "This report describes how terrorist, violent extremist and organized criminal groups are trying to take advantage of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic to expand their activities and jeopardize the efficacy and credibility of response measures by governments. Misinformation and disinformation on social media are not new problems, but the COVID-19 crisis has amplified them and created new opportunities for violent non-state actors. [...] It is also alarming that some terrorist and violent extremist groups have attempted to misuse social media to incite potential terrorists to intentionally spread COVID-19 and to use it as an improvised form of a biological weapon. Moreover, some criminal organizations have taken advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to portray a positive self-image to reinforce their presence and control in the territory and to further expand their illegal activities. [...] We hope this report enhances knowledge and understanding of this complex problem and encourages the identification of new approaches to prevent and combat the malicious use of social media by violent non-state actors."
United Nations. Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute
Binetti, Soraya; Rosa, Fabrizio De; Garcia, Mariana Diaz . . .
2020-11
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Detection of COVID-19 in Wastewater
From the Overview: "This brief will provide an introduction to the use of SARS CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] monitoring in wastewater as an early warning system for increased infections in communities. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a relatively new but quickly evolving surveillance tool that can detect the presence of certain viruses in community water systems, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. This non-invasive method can measure the presence of COVID-19 genetic material (ribonucleic acid [RNA]) in fecal matter in a sewershed, the area that drains into a community's wastewater collection system."
Environmental Research Institute of the States; Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (U.S.)
2020-11
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Consumer Product Safety Commission: Actions Needed to Improve Processes for Addressing Product Defect Cases, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "CPSC [Consumer Product Safety Commission] is responsible for ensuring the safety of thousands of consumer products ranging from children's toys to off-road recreational vehicles. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review CPSC's processes for addressing product safety hazards. Among other objectives, this report examines the extent to which CPSC has (1) taken steps to prioritize and address product safety hazards in a timely and efficient manner; (2) overseen firms' compliance with corrective action plans and taken steps to address noncompliance; and (3) taken steps to assess the effectiveness of different types of corrective actions."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Puerto Rico Electricity: FEMA and HUD Have Not Approved Long-Term Projects and Need to Implement Recommendations to Address Uncertainties and Enhance Resilience, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria damaged Puerto Rico's electricity grid, causing the longest blackout in U.S. history. It took roughly 11 months after the hurricanes for power to be restored to all of the customers with structures deemed safe for power restoration. Since electricity service has been restored, local entities have undertaken the longer-term task of more fully repairing and rebuilding the grid. GAO [Government Accountability Office] reported in 2019 on challenges hindering progress in rebuilding the grid and recommended that FEMA and HUD [Department of Housing and Urban Development] take actions to address these challenges. This report examines the status of efforts to support long-term grid recovery in Puerto Rico, including actions taken by FEMA and HUD to implement GAO's 2019 recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Human Trafficking Prevention: Strategies for Runaway and Homeless Youth Settings
From the Executive Summary: "This Issue Brief explores strategies to integrate human trafficking (HT) prevention into Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) programs. These strategies emphasize the vital role that RHY programs can play in the prevention of sex and labor trafficking among runaway and homeless youth. It also highlights the importance of integrating public health, trauma-informed, and positive youth development principles in the development and implementation of HT prevention interventions. Key highlights of this Issue Brief include: [1] Integrating sex and labor trafficking prevention strategies based on the unique experiences, needs, and strengths of RHY. [2] Building local capacity in HT prevention efforts by educating community stakeholders on the intersection of HT, runaway incidents, and youth homelessness. [3] Using existing programmatic frameworks to incorporate HT prevention components into RHY settings. [4] Addressing the root causes and social conditions in which RHY become vulnerable to exploitation, violence, and HT."
United States. Administration for Children and Families
2020-11
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Veterans Health Care: Agency Efforts to Provide and Study Prosthetics for Small but Growing Female Veteran Population, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Women are the fastest growing veteran subpopulation, with the number of female veterans using VHA [Veterans Health Administration] health care services increasing 29 percent from 2014 to 2019. Female veterans accounted for an estimated 10 percent of the total veteran population in fiscal year 2019. They are eligible to receive a full range of VHA health care services, including obtaining prosthetics. House Report 115-188 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review VHA's prosthetic services for female veterans. This report examines 1) trends in prosthetics provided by VHA to female veterans; 2) characteristics of the female veteran population with limb loss and how VHA provides prosthetic services to these veterans through its Amputation System of Care; and 3) VHA's research efforts and the challenges that exist in studying prosthetics for female veterans with limb loss."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Comparative Effectiveness Research: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and HHS Continue Activities and Plan New Efforts, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) authorized establishment of PCORI [Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute] to conduct CER [comparative clinical effectiveness research] and improve its quality and relevance. PPACA also established new requirements for HHS [Department of Health and Human Services] to, among other things, disseminate findings from federally funded CER and coordinate federal programs to build data capacity for this research. To fund CER activities, PPACA established the Trust Fund, which provided a total of about $3.6 billion to PCORI and HHS for CER activities during fiscal years 2010 through 2019. The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, added new CER requirements and extended funding at similar levels through fiscal year 2029. PPACA and the Appropriations Act 2020 included provisions that GAO [Government Accountability Office] review PCORI and HHS's CER activities. This report describes (1) the CER activities PCORI and HHS carried out to meet legislative requirements, (2) how PCORI and HHS allocated funding to those CER activities, and (3) PCORI and HHS efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of their CER dissemination and implementation activities, such as changes in medical practice."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Indian Health Service: Actions Needed to Improve Oversight of Federal Facilities' Decision-Making About the Use of Funds, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "IHS [Indian Health Service], an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, provides care to AI/AN [American Indians and Alaska Natives] populations through a system of federally operated and tribally operated health care facilities. AI/AN have experienced long standing problems accessing needed health care services. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has previously reported that IHS has not been able to pay for all eligible health care services; however, the resources available to federally operated facilities have recently grown. This report assesses IHS oversight of federal health care facilities' decision-making about the use of funds. GAO reviewed IHS policies and documents; and interviewed IHS officials from headquarters, nine area offices, and three federally operated facilities (two hospitals and one health clinic)."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Drug Misuse: Agencies Have Not Fully Identified How Grants That Can Support Drug Prevention Education Programs Contribute to National Goals, Report to the Congress
From the Highlights: "Most people who develop a substance use disorder begin using substances as adolescents. To reach adolescents, drug prevention programs are frequently provided in schools. [Department of] Education, HHS [Department of Health and Human Services], and ONDCP [Office of National Drug Control Policy] manage most federal programs that support school-based drug prevention activities. This report (1) describes how Education, HHS, and ONDCP support drug prevention activities in schools, and monitor those efforts and (2) examines the extent to which these agencies identify how their prevention activities support the National Drug Control Strategy."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Defense Production Act: Opportunities Exist to Increase Transparency and Identify Future Actions to Mitigate Medical Supply Chain Issues, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] has put the U.S. health care system under severe strain, including affecting the federal government's ability to buy and maintain critical medical supplies to treat patients and protect health care workers. In March 2020 agencies began using DPA [Defense Production Act] authorities to rapidly obtain and expand domestic production of medical supplies for COVID-19. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act provided the Department of Defense (DOD) $1 billion for DPA purchases related to COVID-19. HHS [Department of Health and Human Services] also reported using some of the $8.4 billion it obligated to buy supplies and replenish the Strategic National Stockpile to increase domestic production of medical supplies, which GAO [Government Accountability Office] refers to as similar actions. The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO to monitor funds provided for the COVID-19 pandemic. This report examines (1) federal agencies' use of these actions to address COVID-19, and (2) the federal approach for using DPA and similar actions for medical supplies, among other issues."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
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Distance Learning: Challenges Providing Services to K-12 English Learners and Students with Disabilities During COVID-19, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, almost all school districts rapidly shifted to distance learning in spring of the 2019-2020 school year. This shift laid bare both the logistical and instructional challenges of distance learning, particularly for English learners and students with disabilities, both of whom have faced persistent achievement gaps. This work was conducted as part of GAO's [Government Accountability Office] COVID-19 monitoring and oversight responsibilities under the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act. It examines what is known about the challenges of and lessons learned from providing distance learning to English learners and students with disabilities during school building closures in spring 2020."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-11
