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Federal Research: DOD's Use of Study and Analysis Centers, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "For decades, the government has contracted and entered into agreements to sponsor academic, nonprofit, or private organizations to operate FFRDCs [Federally Funded Research and Development Centers]. [...] A Senate Armed Services Committee report included a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] review DOD's use of FFRDCs. This report describes, among other objectives: (1) DOD obligations (in dollars) to DOD's FFRDCs from fiscal years 2013 through 2018; (2) factors that led DOD to use S&A [Study and Analysis] Centers for research; and (3) how DOD used this research."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Immigration Enforcement: Immigration-Related Prosecutions Increased from 2017 to 2018 in Response to U.S. Attorney General's Direction, Report to the Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "In 2017 and 2018, the Attorney General directed federal prosecutors to prioritize prosecutions of immigration-related offenses, including improper entry into the United States, illegal reentry after a prior removal from the country, and alien smuggling, among other offenses. Most individuals prosecuted for such offenses are arrested by DHS's U.S. Border Patrol and referred to DOJ's [Department of Justice] USAOs [U.S. Attorney's Offices] for prosecution in federal court. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the actions DOJ, DHS, and the federal judiciary took in response to the 2017 and 2018 memoranda. GAO reviewed (1) how DOJ prioritized prosecutions of immigration-related offenses in response to the Attorney General's memoranda, (2) what DHS and DOJ data from fiscal years 2014 through 2018 indicate about such prosecutions, and (3) resources that DOJ, DHS, and the federal judiciary used to support increased immigration-related prosecutions."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Bank Secrecy Act: Examiners Need More Information on How to Assess Banks' Compliance Controls for Money Transmitter Accounts, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The World Bank and others have reported that some money transmitters have been losing access to banking services. Money transmitters play an important role in the financial system, in part because they provide financial services to people less likely to use traditional banking services. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the causes and potential effects of derisking by banks. This report examines, among other issues, (1) the extent to which banks are terminating or limiting services for money transmitters, (2) challenges in assessing banks' BSA/AML [Bank Secrecy Act]/[anti-money laundering] compliance related to money transmitters, and (3) regulators' actions to address derisking concerns."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Immigration Enforcement: Arrests, Detentions, and Removals, and Issues Related to Selected Populations, Report to the Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "In January 2017, the President issued Executive Order 13768 that instructs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enforce U.S. immigration law against all removable individuals. In February 2017, the Secretary of DHS issued a memorandum (2017 DHS memo) establishing policy and providing guidance related to the Executive Order. Within DHS, ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] is responsible for providing safe confinement for detained aliens, including certain vulnerable populations. [...] This report examines (1) ICE data on arrests, detentions, and removals from calendar years 2015 through 2018; (2) the policies in effect for selected populations and any changes ICE made to align these policies with the 2017 DHS memo; and (3) the extent to which ICE collects data on selected populations and what those data show. GAO analyzed ICE data on arrests, detentions, and removals from calendars years 2015 through 2018; reviewed policies and documents on eight populations GAO selected based on ICE policies and input from organizations that represent various vulnerable populations; and interviewed agency officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Aviation Security: TSA Should Ensure Screening Technologies Continue to Meet Detection Requirements After Deployment, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "The TSA Modernization Act includes a provision for GAO to review TSA's deployment of screening technologies, and GAO was asked to review the detection standards of these screening technologies. This report addresses, among other things, (1) how TSA operationalizes detection standards, (2) the extent to which TSA considered risk when making deployment decisions, and (3) the extent to which TSA ensures technologies continue to meet detection requirements after deployment. GAO reviewed DHS and TSA procedures and documents, including detection standards; visited DHS and TSA testing facilities; observed the use of screening technologies at seven airports, selected for varying geographic locations and other factors; and interviewed DHS and TSA headquarters and field officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Federal Debt Management: Treasury Should Strengthen Policies for Market Outreach and Analysis to Maintain Broad-Based Demand for Securities, Report to the Congress
From the Highlights: "The Congressional Budget Office projects that federal deficits will reach $1 trillion in 2020 and average $1.2 trillion per year through 2029, further adding to the more than $16 trillion in current debt held by the public. As a result, Treasury will need to issue a substantial amount of debt to finance government operations and refinance maturing debt. To support its goal to borrow at the lowest cost over time, Treasury must maintain strong demand from a diverse group of investors for Treasury securities. GAO [Government Accountability Office] prepared this report as part of continuing efforts to assist Congress in identifying and addressing debt management challenges. This report (1) identifies factors that affect demand for Treasury securities and (2) examines how Treasury monitors and analyzes information about the Treasury market to inform its debt issuance strategy."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Commercial Aviation: Effects of Changes to the Essential Air Service Program, and Stakeholders Views on Benefits, Challenges, and Potential Reforms, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Congress established EAS [Essential Air Service] as part of the 1978 deregulation of the U.S. airline industry. Through the EAS program, DOT [Department of Transportation] provides subsidies to airlines to make service available to communities that airlines would otherwise not serve. Since 2010, several statutory changes have limited eligibility for EAS subsidies by, among other things, changing eligibility requirements. In spite of these changes, program costs have continued to rise, prompting questions about whether additional modifications should be made. A provision in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018 directed GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine several aspects of the EAS program. This report discusses, among other objectives, (1) how federal laws enacted since 2010 have affected air service to communities funded through the program; and (2) challenges that communities and air carriers face with EAS, and options for reform."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Airline Consumer Protections: Information on Airlines' Denied Boarding Practices, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Some airlines overbook their scheduled flights (intentionally sell more seats than are available) to compensate for passenger no-shows. It is not illegal for airlines to overbook their flights. However, it can result in an 'oversale' where airlines cannot accommodate all passengers on a particular flight. In response, airlines may have to deny boarding to some passengers. DOT [Department of Transportation] is responsible for ensuring airlines adhere to their denied boarding practices as part of its consumer protection enforcement responsibilities. The FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] Reauthorization Act of 2018 included a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] examine airlines' oversales practices. This report focuses on denied boardings--the result of an oversale--and describes (1) trends in denied boardings and (2) airlines' actions related to denied boardings and mitigating the effects on passengers."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Federal Real Property: Measuring Actual Office Space Costs Would Provide More Accurate Information, Report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The government's RTF [Reduce the Footprint] policy has intensified federal efforts to reduce office space and save money since 2015. GSA [General Services Administration] and OMB [Office of Management and Budget] report key cost performance measures but questions exist about how well these measures reflect agencies' efforts. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review how federal real property costs have changed since 2015. This report examines (1) the extent to which performance measures reflect changes in civilian CFO [Chief Financial Officers] Act agencies' office space costs and (2) how selected agencies considered cost in their office space decisions."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment: Additional Assessment Could Enhance Consistency Among Counselors, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "VA's [Department of Veterans Affairs] VR&E [Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment] program helps veterans with service-connected disabilities obtain and maintain suitable employment. VR&E participants work with vocational counselors to develop career goals and employment plans. [...] This report examines (1) the factors that vocational counselors considered when developing VR&E participants' plans and how consistently they applied those factors, and (2) the extent to which VA trains and monitors vocational counselors to ensure a consistent, high-quality approach to helping veterans develop plans."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Missile Defense: Further Collaboration with the Intelligence Community Would Help MDA Keep Pace with Emerging Threats, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "MDA [Missile Defense Agency] is developing missile defense capabilities to defend the United States, deployed forces, and regional allies from missile attacks. However, missile threats continue to emerge, as adversaries continue to improve and expand their missile capabilities. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 included a provision that GAO annually assess and report on the extent to which MDA has achieved its acquisition goals and objectives, and include any other findings and recommendations. This report is a public version of a classified report GAO issued in May 2019, which addresses (1) the challenges MDA and the defense intelligence community face in meeting the agency's threat assessment needs and (2) the extent to which MDA engages the defense intelligence community on missile defense acquisitions. GAO reviewed MDA's threat-related acquisition processes and interviewed relevant officials from the defense intelligence community, MDA, test community, and warfighters. Information deemed classified by DOD has been omitted."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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VA Health Care: Opportunities Exist for VA to Better Identify and Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "According to VA [Veterans Affairs], in 2016, racial and ethnic minority veterans represented about 22 percent of the total veteran population of 18.6 million. VA projects racial and ethnic minority veterans will make up 36 percent of its total veteran population by 2040. VA has identified racial and ethnic disparities in its health care outcomes, mirroring trends seen across the United States. [...] GAO's report examines, among other issues, (1) the extent to which VA has taken steps to advance health equity for racial and ethnic minority veterans, and (2) VA's efforts to use race and ethnicity data to identify and address disparities in health care outcomes involving minority veterans. GAO reviewed relevant documents, such as strategic and operational plans and peer-reviewed research studies; assessed VA's health equity action plan against criteria identified in GAO's body of work on effectively managing performance; and interviewed VA officials familiar with VA's health equity efforts, as well as race and ethnicity data."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Federal Property: GSA Guidance Needed to Help Agencies Identify Unneeded Property in Warehouses, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Federal civilian agencies hold and manage billions of dollars in property that is not considered to be real property, such as vehicles, furniture, computers, and scientific instruments. Some of these items are stored in nearly 18,000 warehouses covering more than 90-million square feet. Agencies are required by law to regularly identify and dispose of unneeded items. However, GAO reported in 2018 that agencies often did not do so. [...] This report examines: (1) what is known about property in selected agencies' warehouses and how much agencies spend to store it, and (2) the extent to which selected agencies assess the ongoing need for property stored in warehouses. GAO reviewed federal statutes, regulations, and GSA's [General Services Administration] guidance; analyzed policies from three agencies--FAA [Federal Aviation Administration], Office of Science, and BOP [Bureau of Prisons]--which were selected based on total warehouse square footage, among other factors; conducted site visits to agencies' warehouses; and interviewed stakeholders such as agency officials and industry groups."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Technology Assessment: Artificial Intelligence in Health Care, Benefits and Challenges of Machine Learning in Drug Development, With Field Background Content from the National Academy of Medicine, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Foreword: "Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) is a set of technologies that includes automated systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, and decision-making. AI/ML has promising applications in health care, including drug development. For example, it may have the potential to help identify new treatments, reduce failure rates in clinical trials, and generally result in a more efficient and effective drug development process. However, applying AI/ML technologies within the health care system also raises ethical, legal, economic, and social questions. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), individually and in collaboration, have taken up the charge to explore AI/ML in health care, assess its implications, and identify key options available for optimizing its use."
United States. Government Accountability Office; National Academy of Medicine
2019-12
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Technology Modernization Fund: OMB and GSA Need to Improve Fee Collection and Clarify Cost Estimating Guidance for Awarded Projects, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "In December 2017, the MGT [Modernizing Government Technology] Act was enacted, which established the TMF [Technology Modernization Fund]. OMB [Office of Management and Budget], the Technology Modernization Board, and GSA [General Services Administration] oversee the TMF. The board is responsible for approval of agency project proposals focused on replacing aging IT [information technology] systems. Agencies receive incremental award funding and are required to repay the funds transferred and an administrative fee within five years. Agencies may use the project's generated cost savings to repay the award. GSA can use TMF appropriations to cover its operating expenses, and is required to collect administrative fees from awarded projects to offset these expenses. GSA's fee rate was established with the intent to fully recover its costs. As of August 2019, Congress had appropriated $125 million to the TMF. The act included a provision for GAO to report biannually on the TMF. For its first TMF report, among other things, GAO analyzed the TMF's operating costs and assessed the reliability of selected projects' cost savings estimates."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Federal Buildings: GSA Can Improve Its Communication About and Assessment of Major Construction Projects, Report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "As the federal government's landlord, GSA [General Services Administration] spends hundreds of millions of dollars to construct or modernize federal buildings. By delivering these major construction projects, GSA supports tenant agencies' missions and facilitates the delivery of government services. GAO was asked to review GSA's major construction projects. This report: (1) identifies costs of these projects in the last 5 years and factors that contribute to those costs; (2) examines how GSA monitors and publicly communicates cost and schedule information; and (3) assesses GSA's efforts to confirm that projects meet GSA's requirements and that tenants are satisfied with completed projects. GAO analyzed GSA's performance data from fiscal years 2014 to 2018 for 36 projects with a minimum cost each of $20 million (i.e., a major construction project); selected five case-study projects representing diversity in project type, geographic area, building type, and range in cost and scope; reviewed applicable GSA policies, procedures, guidance, and reports; and interviewed GSA officials and project stakeholders."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Cloud Computing Security: Agencies Increased Their Use of the Federal Authorization Program, but Improved Oversight and Implementation Are Needed, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Federal agencies use internet-based (cloud) services to fulfill their missions. GSA [General Services Administration] manages FedRAMP [Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program], which provides a standardized approach to ensure that cloud services meet federal security requirements. OMB [Office of Management and Budget] requires agencies to use FedRAMP to authorize the use of cloud services. GAO was asked to review FedRAMP. The objectives were to determine the extent to which 1) federal agencies used FedRAMP to authorize cloud services, 2) selected agencies addressed key elements of the program's authorization process, and 3) program participants identified FedRAMP benefits and challenges. GAO analyzed survey responses from 24 federal agencies and 47 cloud service providers. GAO also reviewed policies, plans, procedures, and authorization packages for cloud services at four selected federal agencies and interviewed officials from federal agencies, the FedRAMP program office, and OMB."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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2020 Census: Changes Planned to Improve Data Quality, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The decennial census produces data vital to the nation. The data are used for congressional apportionment and redistricting; to allocate billions each year in federal funds; and to provide a social, demographic, and economic profile of the nation to guide policy decisions at all levels of government. Given census data's importance, it is incumbent upon the Bureau [U.S. Census Bureau] to ensure their quality. [...] GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to describe the Bureau's plans for the 2020 Census to resolve multiple, missing, incomplete, and conflicting responses. This report describes how, for 2020, the Bureau plans to (1) determine where to count people, including those in complex living situations, and how this differs from 2010; and (2) resolve multiple, missing, incomplete, and conflicting responses after data collection, and how this differs from 2010."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Fake Caller ID Schemes: Information on Federal Agencies' Efforts to Enforce Laws, Educate the Public, and Support Technical Initiatives, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Unwanted phone calls, which may also involve spoofing, consistently rank among the top consumer complaints to FCC [Federal Communications Commission] and FTC [Federal Trade Commission]. [...] Recently enacted federal legislation included a statutory provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review federal efforts to combat the fraudulent use of caller ID spoofing. This report examines (1) what is known about caller ID spoofing schemes, including any recent trends; (2) federal agency enforcement and consumer education efforts; and (3) the status of industry efforts to develop technologies to combat spoofing, and FCC's role in these efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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340B Drug Discount Program: Increased Oversight Needed to Ensure Nongovernmental Hospitals Meet Eligibility Requirements, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The number of nongovernmental hospitals participating in the 340B Program has grown over time. HRSA [Health Resources and Services Administration] requires participating hospitals to register and annually recertify their eligibility. HRSA also reviews hospitals' eligibility through audits of a small sample each year. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to provide information on 340B-participating hospitals' contracts with state and local governments. This report (1) describes any obligations in selected nongovernmental hospitals' contracts to serve low-income individuals, and (2) examines HRSA's processes to assess nongovernmental hospitals' eligibility."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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VA Disability Compensation: Actions Needed to Enhance Information About Veterans' Health Outcomes, Report to the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] receives billions of dollars per year to provide health care and disability compensation to promote the wellness of veterans with service-connected conditions. VA studies veterans' health through research and assesses changes in service-connected conditions through its reevaluation process. GAO was asked to review VA's efforts to study and gauge the health outcomes of veterans with service-connected conditions. This report examines the extent to which (1) veterans used VA health care services to treat service-connected conditions, and what is known about their health outcomes; (2) VA uses information on reevaluations to help manage the program; and (3) VA's procedures position it to determine when to conduct a reevaluation. GAO reviewed fiscal year 2018 VA health care data; selected studies; VA data on completed reevaluations from fiscal years 2013-2018; and relevant federal laws, regulations, and program guidance. GAO also interviewed staff at four VA regional offices (selected for variation in claims workload and location) and VA officials at the agency's central office."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Counternarcotics: Treasury Reports Some Results from Designating Drug Kingpins, but Should Improve Information on Agencies' Expenditures, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Drug deaths in the United States have been rising for years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2017 there were over 70,000 U.S. drug overdose deaths. This national emergency results in part from the activities of international narcotics traffickers and their organizations. The Kingpin Act, enacted in 1999, allows Treasury to designate and sanction individuals and entities that contribute to illicit narcotics trafficking. [...] This report examines (1) how U.S. agencies designate individuals and entities under the Kingpin Act; (2) the extent to which U.S. agencies monitor, enforce, and report on sanctions under the Kingpin Act; and (3) what agencies have done to assess the effectiveness of the Kingpin Act. GAO reviewed documents from and interviewed officials at Treasury, the Department of State, and other partner agencies. GAO also performed fieldwork in Colombia and Mexico."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Juvenile Justice Grants: DOJ Should Take Additional Actions to Strengthen Performance and Fraud Risk Management, Report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
From the Highlights: "OJJDP [Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention] administers grant programs to improve positive outcomes for juveniles in the justice system. In fiscal year 2018, OJJDP made 295 awards across 16 programs totaling over $290 million. The Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review OJJDP performance and internal controls intended to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of grant funds. This report examines the extent to which (1) OJJDP has goals and measures to assess the performance of its programs, and (2) DOJ has considered fraud risks for OJJDP grant programs."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Federal Property: Improved Monitoring, Oversight, and Data Would Help Understand Effects of Providing Property to Non-Federal Recipients, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The federal government owns and manages over a trillion of dollars of property that is not real property, such as vehicles, computers, and office furniture. Federal agencies generally get rid of excess property through GSA's [General Services Administration] disposal process, which then allows entities such as other federal agencies, to obtain that property if they want. Some agencies have independent authorities that allow them to provide property to non-federal recipients, such as universities, before or during the GSA disposal process. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review how federal agencies provide property to nonfederal recipients. This report examines (1) how selected agencies manage unneeded and excess property provided to non-federal recipients and (2) what is known about benefits, effects, and data on property provided to these recipients."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Millennial Generation: Information on the Economic Status of Millennial Households Compared to Previous Generations, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on the Budget, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "According to recent studies, the Millennial generation, who comprise the largest portion of the American workforce, report feeling overwhelmed by their financial situation and concerned about their future financial security. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review trends in economic mobility and Millennials' economic situation compared to previous generations. This report examines (1) what is known about intergenerational income mobility, and (2) how the financial circumstances of Millennials compare to previous generations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Drug Control: The Office of National Drug Control Policy Should Develop Key Planning Elements to Meet Statutory Requirements, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Almost 70,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2018, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. The 2018 SUPPORT Act [Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act] reauthorized ONDCP [Office of National Drug Control Policy] and imposed new requirements. GAO [Government Accountability Office] noted in its March 2019 High Risk report that the federal effort to prevent drug misuse is an emerging issue requiring close attention. Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 1708a(b), GAO has periodically assessed ONDCP's programs and operations. This report assesses the extent to which ONDCP (1) met selected statutory requirements related to the National Drug Control Strategy in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and (2) has planned or implemented actions to meet selected new requirements in the SUPPORT Act."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Health Care Workforce: Views on Expanding Medicare Graduate Medical Education Funding to Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "An adequate, well-trained health care provider workforce is essential to ensure Americans have access to quality health care services. However, studies have shown the United States faces a shortage of physicians, making it increasingly difficult for people to access needed health care. Experts have identified ways to address this shortage, such as through strategies that increase the number of other types of non-physician providers, including NPs [nurse practitioners] and PAs [physician assistants]. For example, members of Congress and others have questioned whether expanding the scope of the Medicare GME [graduate medical education] program to include NPs and PAs could help mitigate the effects of a physician shortage. A Senate Committee on Appropriations report included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine the potential of making GME payments under the Medicare program for NPs and PAs. This report describes: (1) stakeholder views on the potential benefits and challenges of expanding the Medicare GME program to include NP and PA graduate training; and (2) available information on the estimated costs of NP and PA graduate training."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Office of Congressional Workplace Rights: Using Key Management Practices Would Help to Fully Implement Statutory Requirements, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "OCWR [Office of Congressional Workplace Rights] is an independent, non-partisan office that administers and enforces various provisions related to fair employment and occupational safety and health within the legislative branch. Responding to concerns about sexual harassment in the workplace, Congress passed the Reform Act in 2018, which expanded worker protections and overhauled the process for resolving workplace claims, including claims relating to discrimination and harassment. [...] The Reform Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review OCWR's management practices. This report examines (1) the status of OCWR's efforts to address new requirements in the Reform Act; (2) how OCWR is incorporating key management practices to implement the new requirements; and (3) the extent to which OCWR implemented recommendations from a related 2004 GAO report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Mental Health and Substance Use: State and Federal Oversight of Compliance with Parity Requirements Varies, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "MHPAEA [The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008] requires large group health plans that offer MH/SU [mental health and substance use disorder] benefits to ensure parity between MH/SU and medical/surgical benefits. To meet the essential health benefits requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, certain issuers offering small group and individual plans must comply with MHPAEA's MH/SU parity requirements. The 21st Century Cures Act included a provision for GAO to review federal and state oversight of MH/SU parity requirements and the extent to which health plans comply with these requirements. This report, among other objectives, (1) examines how DOL [Department of Labor], HHS [Health and Human Services], and states oversee health plan compliance with MH/SU parity requirements; and (2) describes what is known about the extent to which health plans are complying with MH/SU parity requirements. For this report, GAO reviewed DOL and HHS policies, guidance, and reports; conducted a survey and received responses from all 50 states and the District of Columbia about oversight practices; interviewed officials from DOL, HHS, and selected states; interviewed national and state stakeholders; and reviewed available research studies regarding health plan compliance with MH/SU parity."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Improving Program Management: Key Actions Taken, but Further Efforts Needed to Strengthen Standards, Expand Reviews, and Address High-Risk Areas, Report to Congressional Committees
From GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "PMIAA [Program Management Improvement Accountabilitiy [sic] Act of 2016] requires OMB [Office of Management and Budget] to adopt program management standards and guidelines government-wide; OPM [Office of Personnel Management] is to establish new--or revise existing--occupational standards for program and project management. PMIAA includes a provision for GAO, no later than 3 years after the enactment of the act, to issue a report examining the implementation and effectiveness of certain provisions of the act on federal program and project management. This report (1) describes steps taken by OMB, OPM, and agencies to implement PMIAA; (2) assesses OMB's efforts to address issues on GAO's High-Risk List using PMIAA; and (3) examines the extent to which OMB provided methods for agencies to measure and assess the results of PMIAA. GAO reviewed documents from and conducted interviews with OMB and OPM. GAO surveyed all 24 CFO [Chief Financial Officers] Act agencies, and selected five agencies to illustrate implementation efforts. GAO also interviewed subject matter specialists from academia and the private sector regarding their views on how program and project management practices applied to PMIAA."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
