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Tribal Broadband: FCC Should Take Efforts to Promote Tribal Access to Spectrum, Statement of Andrew Von Ah, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Broadband service on tribal lands continues to lag behind the rest of the country, especially on rural tribal lands. Broadband service can be delivered through wireless technologies using radio frequency spectrum. According to FCC [Federal Communications Commission], increasing tribal access to spectrum would help expand broadband service on tribal lands. This statement is based on GAO's [Government Accountability Office] November 2018 report (GAO-19-75) related to spectrum use for broadband services by tribal entities and selected updates. Specifically, it discusses (1) tribal entities' ability to obtain and access spectrum to provide broadband services and the reported barriers that may exist, and (2) the extent to which FCC promotes and supports tribal efforts to obtain and access spectrum."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Von Ah, Andrew
2019-09-18
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Veterans Affairs: Sustained Leadership Attention Needed to Address Long-Standing Workforce Problems, Statement of Robert Goldenkoff, Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony Before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] operates one of the largest health care delivery systems in the nation and provides billions of dollars in benefits and services to veterans and their families. However, VA faces serious and long-standing problems with management challenges and veterans' access to health care and disability benefits. These issues contributed to GAO's [Government Accountability Office] decision to list several areas involving VA on GAO's High-Risk List, including managing acquisitions, managing risk and improving veterans' health care, and improving and modernizing VA's disability programs. This testimony discusses (1) human capital challenges facing VA and its components, (2) GAO recommendations addressing some of those challenges, and (3) how those challenges are related to a broader set of government-wide human capital problems."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Goldenkoff, Robert
2019-09-18
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F-35 Sustainment: Enhanced Attention to and Oversight of F-35 Affordability Are Needed, Statement of Diana Maurer, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony Before the Subcommittees on Readiness and Tactical Air and Land Forces, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The F-35 aircraft with its advanced capabilities represents a growing portion of DOD's tactical aviation fleet--with the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy currently flying about 400 of the aircraft. It is also DOD's most ambitious and costly weapon system in history, with estimated life-of-program costs exceeding $1.7 trillion. DOD plans to procure nearly 2,500 F-35s at an estimated total acquisition cost of just under $400 billion. The remaining $1.3 trillion in life cycle costs is associated with operating and sustaining the aircraft. This statement, among other things, assesses the extent to which (1) the F-35 has met warfighter-required mission capable rates; and (2) DOD has reduced the F-35's estimated life cycle sustainment costs and made progress in meeting its affordability constraints."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Maurer, Diana
2021-04-22
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Information Technology and Cybersecurity: Significant Attention is Needed to Address High-Risk Areas, Statement of Kevin Walsh, Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The effective management and protection of IT [information technology] has been a longstanding challenge in the federal government. Each year, the federal government spends more than $100 billion on IT and cyber-related investments; however, many of these investments have failed or performed poorly and often have suffered from ineffective management. Accordingly, GAO [Government Accountability Office] added improving the management of IT acquisitions and operations as a high-risk area in February 2015. Information security has been on the high-risk area since 1997. In its March 2021 high-risk update, GAO reported that significant actions were required to address IT acquisitions and operations. Further, GAO noted the urgent need for agencies to take 10 specific actions on four major cybersecurity challenges. GAO was asked to testify on federal agencies' efforts to address the management of IT and cybersecurity."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Walsh, Kevin
2021-04-16
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COVID-19 Loans: SBA Has Begun to Take Steps to Improve Oversight and Fraud Risk Management, Statement of William B. Shear, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Testimony Before the Committee on Small Business, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "SBA [Small Business Administration] has made or guaranteed about 18.7 million loans and grants through PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] and the EIDL [Economic
Injury Disaster Loans] program, providing about $968 billion to help small businesses adversely affected by COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. PPP provides potentially forgivable loans to small businesses, and EIDL provides low-interest loans of up to $2 million for operating and other expenses, as well as advances (grants). This testimony discusses the lack of controls in PPP and the EIDL program and SBA's efforts to improve its oversight of these programs"
United States. Government Accountability Office
Shear, William B.
2021-04-20
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Federal Research: NIH Should Take Further Action to Address Foreign Influence, Statement of Candice N. Wright, Acting Director, Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics, Testimony Before the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "The federal government reported expending about $44.5 billion on university science and engineering research in fiscal year 2019. The Department of Health and Human Services funds over half of all such federal expenditures, and NIH [National Institutes of Health] accounts for almost all of this funding. Safeguarding the U.S. research enterprise from threats of foreign influence is of critical importance. Recent reports by GAO [Government Accountability Office] and others have noted challenges faced by the research community to combat undue foreign influence, while maintaining an open research environment. This testimony discusses (1) NIH's conflict of interest policy and disclosure requirements that address potential foreign influence, (2) NIH's mechanisms to monitor and enforce its policy and requirements, and (3) the steps NIH has taken to address concerns about foreign influence in federally funded research identified by stakeholders."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Wright, Candice N.
2021-04-22
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DHS Office of Inspector General: Preliminary Observations on Long-Standing Management and Operational Challenges, Statement of Chris Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Testimony: "Thank you for the opportunity to discuss preliminary observations from our work on the management and operations of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG). DHS OIG has a critical role in strengthening accountability throughout DHS and a responsibility to provide independent and objective oversight of the department and its 15 operational and support components, approximately 240,000 staff, and tens of billions of dollars in budgetary resources. However, in the past 6 years, DHS OIG has faced a number of challenges that have affected its ability to carry out its oversight mission effectively."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Currie, Chris
2021-04-21
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Information Technology: Agencies Need to Develop and Implement Modernization Plans for Critical Legacy Systems, Statement of Kevin Walsh, Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Each year, the federal government spends more than $100 billion on IT [information technology] and cyber-related investments. Of this amount, agencies have typically spent about 80 percent on the operations and maintenance of existing IT investments, including legacy systems. However, federal legacy systems are becoming increasingly obsolete. In May 2016, GAO [Government Accountability Office] reported instances where agencies were using systems that had components that were at least 50 years old or the vendors were no longer providing support for hardware or software. Similarly, in June 2019 GAO reported that several of the federal government's most critical legacy systems used outdated languages, had unsupported hardware and software, and were operating with known security vulnerabilities. GAO was asked to testify on its June 2019 report on federal agencies' legacy systems. Specifically, GAO summarized (1) the critical federal legacy systems that we identified as most in need of modernization and (2) its evaluation of agencies' plans for modernizing them. GAO also provided updated information regarding agencies' implementation of its related recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Walsh, Kevin
2021-04-27
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DOD Acquisition Reform: Increased Focus on Knowledge Needed to Achieve Intended Performance and Innovation Outcomes, Statement of Shelby S. Oakley, Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "DOD spends billions of dollars annually to acquire new major weapon systems, such as aircraft, ships, and satellites, and deliver them to the warfighter. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has reviewed individual weapon programs for many years and conducted its annual assessment of selected major DOD weapon programs for 19 years. GAO added DOD's weapon system acquisition process to its High-Risk List in 1990. This statement discusses: (1) the performance of selected DOD weapon programs and the role of a sound business case in that performance, (2) DOD's progress implementing recent acquisition reforms, (3) the status of DOD's actions to support innovation, and (4) DOD's efforts to improve data for acquisition oversight."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Oakley, Shelby S.
2021-04-28
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Defense Management: Opportunities Exist to Improve DOD's Reform Efforts, Statement of Elizabeth A. Field, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony Before the Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "DOD spends billions of dollars each year to maintain key business operations and defense-wide agencies and programs intended to support the warfighter, including systems and processes related to the management of contracts, finances, the supply chain, support infrastructure, and weapon systems acquisition. The department's approach to transforming these business operations is linked to its ability to perform its overall mission, directly affecting the readiness and capabilities of U.S. military forces. This testimony summarizes GAO's [Government Accountability Office] past work related to DOD's efforts to improve the management of its business operations. Specifically, this testimony discusses DOD's efforts to (1) improve data and baselines to monitor and inform reform efforts; (2) establish clear roles, responsibilities, and authorities for leading reform efforts, and dedicate resources to these efforts; and (3) reliably demonstrate progress in its reform efforts. This statement is based on GAO's body of work issued from 2017 through 2020 on DOD management and business reform issues."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Field, Elizabeth A.
2021-04-27
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Superfund EPA: Should Take Additional Actions to Manage Risks from Climate Change Effects, Statement of J. Alfredo Gómez, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Superfund is the principal federal program for addressing sites contaminated with hazardous substances. EPA administers the program and lists some of the most seriously contaminated sites--most of which are nonfederal--on the NPL [National Priorities List]. At those sites, EPA has recorded over 500 contaminants, including arsenic and lead. Climate change may make some natural disasters more frequent or more intense, which may damage NPL sites and potentially release contaminants, according to the Fourth National Climate Assessment. This testimony summarizes GAO [Government Accountability Office]'s October 2019 report (GAO-20-73 [hyperlink]) on the impact of climate change on nonfederal NPL sites. Specifically, it discusses (1) what available federal data suggest about the number of nonfederal NPL sites that are located in areas that may be impacted by selected climate change effects; (2) the extent to which EPA has managed risks to human health and the environment from the potential impacts of climate change effects at nonfederal NPL sites; and (3) challenges EPA faces in managing these risks."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Gómez, J. Alfredo
2021-05-13
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VA Disability Exams: Actions Needed to Improve Program Management, Statement of Elizabeth Curda, Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security, Testimony Before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the opening statement of Elizabeth Curda: "Thank you for the opportunity to discuss our recent review of the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) planning and oversight efforts regarding its disability medical exam workloads. [...] My statement today summarizes our findings related to (1) VBA [Veterans Benefits Administration]'s planning for allocating disability exam workloads among VBA contractors and VHA [Veterans Health Administration] medical centers, and (2) how VBA assesses the quality of exam reports for certain complex claims."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Curda, Elizabeth
2021-05-12
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Physical Infrastructure: Preliminary Observations on Options for Improving Climate Resilience of Transportation Infrastructure, Statement of Elizabeth Repko, Acting Director, Physical Infrastructure, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Since 2013, GAO [Government Accountability Office] has included 'Limiting the Federal Government's Fiscal Exposure by Better Managing Climate Change Risks' in its High Risk List. In addition, according to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, a changing climate threatens the performance of the U.S. transportation system across all modes, including roads. Congress authorized approximately $43 billion of fiscal year 2021 formula funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation's FHWA [Federal Highway Administration]'s federal-aid highway program, which primarily funds highway planning and construction. This testimony discusses (1) GAO's framework for identifying opportunities to enhance the climate resilience of transportation infrastructure; and (2) preliminary observations on actions taken and options to further enhance the climate resilience of federally funded roads."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Repko, Elizabeth
2021-05-13
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Indian Education: Schools Need More Assistance to Provide Distance Learning, Statement of Melissa Emrey-Arras, Director Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Testimony Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "BIE's [Bureau of Indian Education] mission is to provide quality education to approximately 41,000 students at 183 schools it funds on or near Indian reservations in 23 states. About two-thirds of these schools are operated by tribes and the remaining third are operated by BIE. In March 2020, all BIE schools closed their buildings in response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed distance learning at BIE schools as part of its oversight responsibilities under the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act. This testimony examines the extent to which (1) BIE has provided schools with guidance to develop and implement distance learning programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) students have had the technology they need to participate in such programs."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Emrey-Arras, Melissa
2021-04-28
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Information Environment: DOD Operations Need Enhanced Leadership and Integration of Capabilities, Statement of Joseph W. Kirschbaum, PhD, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "U.S. potential adversaries--including near-peer competitors Russia and China--are using information to achieve objectives below the threshold of armed conflict. DOD can use information operations [IO] to counter these activities. This testimony summarizes GAO's [Government Accountability Office] past work related to DOD's IO capabilities. Specifically, it discusses: (1) DOD's information operation terms and concept, and (2) DOD's actions to implement the 2016 DOD IO strategy and address oversight and integration challenges. This statement is based on GAO's August and October 2019 reports (GAO-19-510C and GAO-20- 51SU) and updates conducted in April 2021. [...] In prior work on which this testimony is based, GAO recommended that DOD take five actions to improve leadership and integration for information operations--including that the department should conduct a posture review to assess integration challenges. DOD disagreed with the recommendations. However, Section 1631 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 included several provisions related to our recommendations, such as one that required the Secretary of Defense to conduct a posture review."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Kirschbaum, Joseph W.
2021-04-03
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Higher Education: IRS and Education Could Better Address Risks Associated with For-Profit College Conversions, Statement of Melissa Emrey-Arras, Director Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Testimony Before the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "A for-profit college may convert to nonprofit status for a variety of reasons, such as wanting to align its status and mission. However, in some cases, former owners or other insiders could improperly benefit from the conversion, which is impermissible under the Internal Revenue Code and Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. This statement--based on GAO's [Government Accountability Office] December 2020 report (GAO-21-89)-- discusses what is known about insider involvement in conversions and the extent to which IRS [Internal Revenue Service] and Education identify and respond to the risk of improper benefit. We also requested updates from IRS and Education officials on any agency actions taken to implement the December 2020 report recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Emrey-Arras, Melissa
2021-04-20
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Small Business Administration: Steps Needed to Address COVID-19 Loans' Susceptibility to Fraud, Statement of William B. Shear, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Testimony Before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "SBA [Small Business Administration] has made or guaranteed more than 17 million loans and grants through PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] and the EIDL [Economic Injury Disaster Loans] program, providing about $910 billion to help small businesses adversely affected by COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. PPP provides potentially forgivable loans to small businesses, and EIDL provides low-interest loans of up to $2 million for operating and other expenses as well as advances (grants). However, the speed with which SBA implemented the programs left them susceptible to fraud. Given these concerns, GAO [Government Accountability Office] added these emergency loan programs to its High-Risk List in March 2021. This testimony discusses fraud risks associated with PPP and the EIDL program. It is based largely on GAO's June 2020 - January 2021 reports on the federal response, including by SBA, to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 (GAO-20-625 [hyperlink], GAO-20-701 [hyperlink], GAO-21-191 [hyperlink], GAO-21- 265 [hyperlink]). For those reports, GAO reviewed SBA documentation and OIG [Office of the Inspector General] reports; analyzed SBA data; and interviewed officials from SBA and the Department of the Treasury."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Shear, William B.
2021-03-25
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Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations: DOD Needs to Take Action to Help Ensure Superiority, Statement of Joseph W. Kirschbaum, PhD, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The spectrum is essential for facilitating control in operational environments and affects operations in the air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace domains. Spectrum use is pervasive across warfighting domains and thus maintaining or achieving spectrum superiority against an adversary is critical to battlefield success. This statement summarizes: (1) the importance of the spectrum; (2) challenges to DOD's superiority in the spectrum; and (3) the extent to which DOD has implemented spectrum-related strategies and is positioned to achieve future goals. This statement is based on GAO's [Government Accountability Office] December 2020 report (GAO-21-64 [hyperlink]) and updates conducted in March 2021. For the report, GAO analyzed 43 studies identified through a literature review, reviewed DOD documentation, and interviewed DOD officials and subject matter experts. For the updates, GAO reviewed materials that DOD provided in March 2021."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Kirschbaum, Joseph W.
2021-03-19
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COVID-19 Pandemic: Preliminary Observations on Efforts Toward and Factors Affecting the Aviation Industry's Recovery, Statement of Heather M Krause, Director, Physical Infrastructure, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "International flight restrictions, local stay-at-home orders, and a general fear of contracting and spreading COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] through air travel had a sudden and profound effect on the aviation industry. According to Department of Transportation statistics, passenger traffic was down 60 percent system-wide in 2020 compared to 2019. This reduction in demand has affected airlines, airports, and the entire aviation supply chain. This testimony is based on ongoing work and provides preliminary observations on the: (1) actions that businesses across the aviation industry have taken to respond to reduced passenger demand, (2) factors that may affect industry recovery, and (3) considerations for federal support to the aviation industry."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Krause, Heather
2021-03-02
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Disaster Assistance: FEMA Has Taken Steps Toward Better Supporting Individuals Who Are Older or Have Disabilities, Statement of Elizabeth H. Curda, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Hightlights: "Three sequential hurricanes--Harvey, Irma, and Maria--affected more than 28 million people in 2017, according to FEMA. Hurricane survivors aged 65 and older and those with disabilities faced particular challenges evacuating to safe shelter, accessing medicine, and obtaining recovery assistance. In June 2018, FEMA began implementing a new approach to assist individuals with disabilities. This statement describes (1) reported challenges faced by these individuals in accessing disaster assistance from FEMA and its nonfederal partners following the 2017 hurricanes; and (2) the extent to which FEMA has implemented changes in how it supports these individuals. This statement is based on a May 2019 GAO report and selected updates. For the report, GAO analyzed FEMA documents and data from FEMA call centers and also visited 2017 hurricane locations to interview state, territorial, and local officials. GAO also interviewed FEMA officials from headquarters and deployed to each disaster location. To update FEMA's progress toward addressing its recommendations, GAO interviewed FEMA officials and analyzed agency documents."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Curda, Elizabeth
2019-07-23
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2020 Census: Bureau Needs to Ensure Transparency Over Data Quality, Finalize Plans for Data Protection, and Examine Lessons Learned, Statement of J. Christopher Mihm, Managing Director, Strategic Issues and Nick Marinos, Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Testimony Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "The Bureau is responsible for conducting a complete and accurate decennial census of the U.S. population. The decennial census is mandated by the Constitution and provides vital data for the nation. For the 2020 Census, the Bureau was required by law to count the population and deliver the counts to the President by December 31, 2020, in order to determine the number of congressional seats apportioned to each state. The Bureau was also required to deliver population counts for redistricting purposes to the states by March 31, 2021. In response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, the Bureau had to make a series of changes to the design and time frames of the census. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to testify about (1) the status of the 2020 Census, (2) ongoing challenges the Bureau faces in completing the count, and (3) lessons learned to inform planning for the next census. To do so, GAO summarized its prior work assessing the operations of the 2020 Census and identifying lessons learned as planning begins for the 2030 decennial census. GAO also included information from its ongoing work examining the Bureau's progress in developing schedules and plans to protect respondent data. GAO has previously made recommendations aimed at addressing census data quality concerns and using lessons learned from the 2020 Census to inform planning for 2030. The Department of Commerce has agreed with GAO's findings and recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-03-23
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Prescription Opioids: Medicare Should Expand Oversight Efforts to Reduce the Risk of Harm, Statement of Elizabeth H. Curda, Director, Health Care, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Oversight, Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives
"Misuse of prescription opioids can lead to overdose and death. In 2016, over 14 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries received opioid prescriptions, and spending for opioids was almost $4.1 billion. GAO [Government Accountability Office] and others have reported on inappropriate activities and risks associated with these prescriptions. This statement is based on GAO's October 2017 report (GAO-18-15) and discusses (1) CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] oversight of beneficiaries who receive opioid prescriptions under Part D, and (2) CMS oversight of providers who prescribe opioids to Medicare Part D beneficiaries. For the October 2017 report, GAO reviewed CMS opioid utilization and prescriber data, CMS guidance for plan sponsors, and CMS's strategy to prevent opioid misuse. GAO also interviewed CMS officials, the six largest Part D plan sponsors, and 12 national associations selected to represent insurance plans, pharmacy benefit managers, physicians, patients, and regulatory and law enforcement authorities."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Curda, Elizabeth
2018-01-17
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VA Disability Exams: Better Planning Needed as Use of Contracted Examiners Continues to Grow, Statement of Elizabeth Curda, Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "VBA [Veterans Benefits Administration] reported that the number of disability medical exams completed by contractors rose from about 180,000 to nearly 1.1 million from fiscal years 2012 through 2020. According to VBA officials, VA [Veterans Affairs] awarded new contracts in 2018 worth up to $6.8 billion over 10 years' duration to private sector disability medical exam providers. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review VBA's planning and oversight related to contracted disability exams. This testimony examines (1) VBA's plans for allocating exam workloads in the future, and (2) how VBA assesses the quality of contractors' exams for selected complex claims. GAO reviewed VBA exams data and documents and interviewed officials from VBA, VHA [Veterans Health
Administration], and exam contractors, as well as staff in three VHA medical centers and VBA regional offices, selected for a range of exam workloads and experience with complex exams. GAO assessed VBA efforts against sound planning practices and internal control standards. GAO is recommending that VBA (1) develop plans for its allocation of disability medical exam workloads that incorporate sound planning practices, and (2) assess the quality of exam reports completed by contractors for selected complex claims."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Curda, Elizabeth
2021-03-23
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Sexual Assault in the Military: Continued Congressional Oversight and Additional DOD Focus on Prevention Could Aid DOD's Efforts, Statement of Brenda S. Farrell, Director Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Personnel, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Since 2004, Congress has continually taken steps to address sexual assault in the military. For example, Congress has required the development of policy and the tracking and reporting of data regarding sexual assaults. However, reports of sexual assault continue to rise, according to DOD, and in a January 2021 memo, the Secretary of Defense noted that despite years of work in the area, the department must do more. Drawing from ongoing and prior work, this statement (1) describes the statutory requirements concerning sexual assault prevention and response in the military that were contained in the NDAAs [National Defense Authorization Acts] from fiscal years 2004 to 2019, and (2) discusses whether there are areas where DOD can provide focus to further address sexual assault. GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed the NDAAs to identify requirements related to sexual assault as well as their status and category. GAO also reviewed prior reports, obtained information on recommendation implementation, and interviewed DOD officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Farrell, Brenda S.
2021-03-24
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VA Acquisition Management: Comprehensive Supply Chain Management Strategy Key to Address Existing Challenges, Statement of Shelby S. Oakley, Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "In fiscal year 2020, VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] received about $19.6 billion in supplemental appropriations for COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]-related needs and through February 2021 has spent about $1.1 billion on medical supplies and equipment. GAO [Government Accountability Office] testified in June 2020 and September 2020 that VA faced supply chain challenges, particularly in the early stages of the pandemic. Due in part to long-standing supply chain management issues that predated the pandemic, GAO added VA acquisition management to its High-Risk List in 2019. GAO's March 2021 High-Risk Update reported that VA has made limited progress in addressing its acquisition management challenges. This statement discusses VA's progress toward modernizing its supply chain. This statement is largely based on information from six reports issued from 2017-2020 and observations from an ongoing review of VA's COVID-19 procurements. To perform this work, GAO reviewed VA documentation and interviewed VA officials and medical center staff."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Oakley, Shelby S.
2021-03-24
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COVID-19 in Nursing Homes: HHS Has Taken Steps in Response to Pandemic, but Several GAO Recommendations Have Not Been Implemented, Statement of John E. Dicken, Director, Health Care, Testimony Before the Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on the 1.4 million elderly or disabled residents in the nation's more than 15,000 Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes, who are often in frail health and living in close proximity to one another. HHS [Department of Health and Human Services], primarily through CMS [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] and CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], has led the pandemic response in nursing homes. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to conduct monitoring and oversight of the federal government's efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. GAO has examined the government's response to COVID-19 in nursing homes through its CARES Act reporting (GAO-21-265 [hyperlink], GAO-21-191 [hyperlink], GAO-20-701 [hyperlink], and GAO-20-625 [hyperlink]). This testimony will summarize the findings from these reports. Specifically, it describes COVID-19 trends in nursing homes and their experiences responding to the pandemic, and HHS's response to the pandemic in nursing homes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Dicken, John E.
2021-03-17
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Small Business Administration: Actions Needed to Improve COVID-19 Loans' Internal Controls and Reduce Their Susceptibility to Fraud, Statement of William B. Shear, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Testimony Before the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "SBA [Small Business Administration] has made or guaranteed more than 17 million loans and grants through PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] and the EIDL [Economic Injury Disaster Loans] program, providing about $910 billion to help small businesses adversely affected by COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. PPP provides potentially forgivable loans to small businesses, and EIDL provides low-interest loans of up to $2 million for operating and other expenses as well as advances (grants). However, the speed with which SBA implemented the programs left them susceptible to fraud. Given these concerns, GAO [Government Accountability Office] added these emergency loan programs to its High-Risk List in March 2021. This testimony discusses fraud risks associated with PPP and the EIDL program. It is based largely on GAO's June 2020 - January 2021 reports on the federal response, including by SBA, to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 (GAO-20-625 [hyperlink], GAO-20-701 [hyperlink], GAO-21-191 [hyperlink], GAO-21- 265 [hyperlink]). For those reports, GAO reviewed SBA documentation and OIG [Office of the Inspector General] reports; analyzed SBA data; and interviewed officials from SBA and the Department of the Treasury."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Shear, William B.
2021-03-24
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Science and Technology: Strengthening and Sustaining the Federal Science and Technology Workforce, Statement of Candice N. Wright, Acting Director, Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The federal workforce is critical to agencies' ability to address the complex social, economic, and security challenges facing the United States. However, across government, mission critical skill gaps are undermining the ability of federal agencies to carry out their missions. Federal agencies face the difficult task of staying apace of advances in science and technology while competing for talent with the private sector, universities, and nonprofit research centers. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has had long-standing concerns about federal agencies' strategic human capital management, an issue highlighted in GAO's High Risk Series since 2001. This testimony summarizes GAO's insights based on a wide range of GAO work covering various human capital management- and science and technology-related issues from March 2015 through February 2021. In particular, the statement focuses on (1) workforce planning to help ensure agencies are better positioned to implement their missions; (2) opportunities and challenges to recruiting a diverse, high-qualified science and technology workforce; and (3) factors that can affect the work environment."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Wright, Candice L.
2021-03-17
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Puerto Rico: Efforts to Improve Competition for Medicaid Procurement, Statement of Carolyn L. Yocom, Director Health Care, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Health, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
From the Document: "Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the Medicaid program in Puerto Rico. Among the U.S. territories, Puerto Rico administers the largest Medicaid program, covering over 1 million beneficiaries at a total cost of $2.5 billion in 2018. Like other states and territories, Puerto Rico implements major functions of its Medicaid program by procuring a variety of administrative and other services from contractors. In calendar year 2018, states and territories paid contractors at least half of the $619 billion in total Medicaid expenditures. In that same year, Puerto Rico paid contractors at least 96 percent ($2.4 billion) of its $2.5 billion in total Medicaid expenditures, primarily to managed care organizations (MCO) for coverage of Medicaid services."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Yocom, Carolyn L.
2021-03-17
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Electricity Grid Resilience: Climate Change is Expected to Have Far-Reaching Effects and DOE and FERC Should Take Actions, Statement of Frank Rusco, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate
From the Document: "According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, changes in the earth's climate are under way and expected to increase, posing risks to the electricity grid that may affect the nation's economic and national security. Annual costs of weather-related power outages total billions of dollars and may increase with climate change, although resilience investments could help address potential effects, according to the research program. Private companies own most of the electricity grid, but the federal government plays a significant role in promoting grid resilience--the ability to adapt to changing conditions; withstand potentially disruptive events; and, if disrupted, to rapidly recover. DOE [Department of Energy], the lead agency for grid resilience efforts, conducts research and provides information and technical assistance to industry. FERC [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] reviews mandatory grid reliability standards. This testimony summarizes GAO's [Government Accountability Office] report on grid resilience to climate change. Specifically, the testimony discusses (1) potential climate change effects on the electricity grid; and (2) actions DOE and FERC have taken since 2014 to enhance electricity grid resilience to climate change effects, and additional actions these agencies could take. GAO reviewed reports and interviewed agency officials and 55 relevant stakeholders."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Rusco, Frank
2021-03-10
