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Department of Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Accounting of Intradepartmental Transactions, Report to the Honorable Jackie Speier, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Since 1995, GAO [Government Accountability Office] has designated DOD financial management as high risk because of pervasive weaknesses in its financial management systems, controls, and reporting. DOD's longstanding intradepartmental eliminations material weakness reflects DOD's inability to adequately record and reconcile its intradepartmental transactions, and has affected DOD's ability to prepare auditable financial statements. GAO was asked to evaluate DOD's process for performing intradepartmental eliminations. This report examines the extent to which DOD has (1) identified and taken steps to address issues related to intradepartmental eliminations and (2) established and implemented policies and procedures related to intradepartmental eliminations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-01
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DHS Annual Assessment: Most Acquisition Programs Are Meeting Goals but Data Provided to Congress Lacks Context Needed for Effective Oversight, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DHS plans to spend more than $7 billion on its portfolio of major acquisition programs--with life-cycle costs over $300 million-- in fiscal year 2021 to help execute its many critical missions. The Explanatory Statement accompanying the DHS Appropriations Act, 2015, included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review DHS's major acquisitions on an ongoing basis. This report, GAO's sixth review, assesses the extent to which (1) DHS's major acquisition programs are meeting baseline goals, (2) DHS's guidance for developing acquisition documentation is consistent with DHS acquisition policy, and (3) DHS is reporting relevant information to Congress on its portfolio of major acquisition programs. GAO assessed 24 acquisition programs, including DHS's largest programs that were in the process of obtaining new capabilities as of April 2018, and programs GAO or DHS identified as at risk of poor outcomes. GAO assessed cost and schedule progress against baselines; assessed DHS's congressional reporting requirements; and interviewed DHS officials and congressional appropriations committee staff."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-01
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Chemical Security: Overlapping Programs Could Better Collaborate to Share Information and Identify Potential Security Gaps, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Facilities with hazardous chemicals could be targeted by terrorists to inflict mass casualties or damage. Federal regulations applicable to chemical safety and security have evolved over time as authorizing statutes and regulations established programs for different purposes, such as safety versus security, and with different enforcement authorities. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has reported that such programs may be able to achieve greater efficiency where overlap exists by reducing duplication and better managing fragmentation."
United States. General Accounting Office
2021-01
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Close Air Support: Actions Needed to Enhance Friendly Force Tracking Capabilities and Fully Evaluate Training, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The use of ordnance delivered by aircraft to support U.S. military forces that are in close proximity to enemy forces on the ground requires detailed planning, seamless communications, and effective training. Mistakes in communications or procedures used to identify and maintain an awareness of the positions of friendly forces on the battlefield during CAS [close air support] can result in the loss of U.S. military personnel. Senate Report 116-48 and House Report 116-120, accompanying bills for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, included provisions for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to evaluate issues related to friendly-force identification capabilities in CAS missions. Among other things, this report evaluates the extent to which DOD has (1) implemented initiatives to enhance friendly-force identification capabilities during CAS, and (2) evaluated training for forces that participate in CAS. GAO analyzed documentation and interviewed officials regarding DOD efforts to develop and implement friendly force tracking capabilities for CAS; reviewed CAS training programs; and analyzed training data, including the number of hours that DOD used non-military contract aircraft for CAS training from 2017 through 2019."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-01
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Immigration Enforcement: ICE Can Further Enhance Its Planning and Oversight of State and Local Agreements, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The 287(g) program authorizes ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies to assist with enforcing immigration laws. The program expanded from 35 agreements in January 2017 to 150 as of September 2020. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review ICE's management and oversight of the program. This report examines (1) the extent to which ICE has developed performance goals and measures to assess the 287(g) program; (2) how ICE determines eligibility for 287(g) program participation and considers program resources; and (3) how ICE conducts oversight of 287(g) program participant compliance and addresses noncompliance."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-01
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Pregnant Women in DOJ Custody: U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Prisons Should Better Align Policies with National Guidelines, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Policymakers and advocacy groups have raised questions about the treatment of incarcerated pregnant women, including the use of restrictive housing--removal from the general prisoner population with the inability to leave the cell for the majority of the day--and restraints. Within DOJ [Department of Justice], USMS [United States Marshals Service] is responsible for prisoners awaiting trial or sentencing. BOP [Federal Bureau of Prisons] is responsible for sentenced prisoners. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review issues related to pregnant women in USMS and BOP custody."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-01
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Immigration Detention: Actions Needed to Improve Planning, Documentation, and Oversight of Detention Facility Contracts, Report to the Chairman Committee on Homeland Security House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The Department of Homeland Security's ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] detained approximately 48,500 foreign nationals a day, on average, for 72 hours or more in fiscal year 2019. ICE was appropriated about $3.14 billion in fiscal year 2020 to operate the immigration detention system. ICE has three ways of acquiring detention space--IGSAs [intergovernmental service agreements] with state or local government entities; agreements with Department of Justice U.S. Marshals Service to join an existing contract or agreement (known as a 'rider'); or contracts. This report examines (1) what data show about the characteristics of contracts and agreements; (2) the extent to which ICE developed and implemented processes and a strategic approach to acquire space; and (3) the extent to which ICE has overseen and enforced contracts and agreements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-01
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Workplace Safety and Health: Actions Needed to Improve Reporting of Summary Injury and Illness Data, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "In 2018, about 3.5 million workers suffered job-related injuries, and illnesses and 5,250 died on the job, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Employers are required to record work-related injuries and illnesses, promptly report severe injury and illness incidents to OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration], and certain employers are required to report summary injury and illness data electronically on an annual basis. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review how OSHA addresses recordkeeping violations, and implements its rule for reporting summary data. This report examines: (1) how and why recordkeeping violations changed from fiscal years 2005 through 2019 and (2) the extent to which employers report summary injury and illness data and OSHA has taken steps to ensure compliance with this requirement. [...] GAO recommends OSHA evaluate procedures for ensuring reporting of summary data and develop a plan to remediate deficiencies. OSHA generally concurred with our recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-01
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Man-Made Chemicals and Potential Health Risks: EPA Has Completed Some Regulatory-Related Actions for PFAS, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Beginning in the 1940s, scientists developed a class of heat- and stain-resistant chemicals--PFAS [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances]--that are used in a wide range of products, including nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and some firefighting foams. PFAS can persist in the environment for decades or longer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that most people in the U.S. have been exposed to two of the most widely studied PFAS, likely from consuming contaminated water or food. According to EPA, there is evidence that continued exposure above certain levels to some PFAS may lead to adverse health effects. In February 2019, EPA issued its 'PFAS Action Plan', which outlined 23 planned actions to better understand PFAS and reduce their risks to the public. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to examine the status of regulatory-related actions in EPA's plan. For six regulatory-related actions GAO selected in EPA's 'PFAS Action Plan', this report examines (1) the number of actions that are complete and the steps EPA took to complete them and (2) the number of actions that are ongoing and EPA's progress toward completing them."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-01
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Science & Tech Spotlight: Tracing the Source of Chemical Weapons
From the Document: "According to the Global Public Policy Institute, there have been more than 330 chemical weapons attacks since 2012. Such attacks are prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention. A set of methods called forensic chemical attribution has the potential to trace the chemical agent used in such attacks to a source. For example, investigators could use these methods to identify the geographic sources of raw materials used to make the agent, or to identify the manufacturing process. Such information can aid leaders in deciding on whether or how to respond to a chemical weapons attack. Forensic chemical attribution is a three-step process, though the third step is being developed. First, a sample is taken from a victim or the site of an attack. Second, the sample's chemical components are analyzed and identified either at a mobile lab or at one of 18 authorized biomedical labs worldwide. [...] In the third step--still under development--investigators use the data from the forensic chemical identification and analysis methods from step two to develop a 'chemical fingerprint.' The fingerprint can be matched to a database of information on existing methods or known source to identify chemical agents. However, a comprehensive database containing complete, reliable data for known agents does not exist."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-21
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Health Care Funding: Federal Obligations to and Funds Received by Certain Organizations Involved in Health-Related Services, 2016 through 2018
From the Document: "In order to achieve their programmatic goals, federal agencies provide funding to various organizations that, in turn, use those funds to implement programs and activities aligned with those goals. For example, federal agencies may award funding through grants or cooperative agreements. In addition, federal insurance programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), may pay for certain services provided by organizations to beneficiaries of those programs.' Since 1995, we have reported periodically on federal funding provided to various organizations, including those that offer health-related services, such as voluntary family planning, and activities related to the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDs. The organizations have included various domestic organizations--such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA)--as well as international organizations, including International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Marie Stopes International (MSI). You asked us to provide updated information on federal funding for certain organizations that provide health-related services. This report describes the extent of federal funding for FQHCs, PPFA, four domestic regional organizations, IPPF, and MSI from 2016 through 2018."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-21
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Drinking Water: EPA Could Use Available Data to Better Identify Neighborhoods at Risk of Lead Exposure, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Lead in drinking water comes primarily from corrosion of service lines connecting the water main to a house or building, pipes inside a building, or plumbing fixtures. As GAO reported in September 2018, the total number of lead service lines in drinking water systems is unknown, and less than 20 of the 100 largest water systems have such data publicly available. GAO was asked to examine the actions EPA and water systems are taking to educate the public on the risks of lead in drinking water. This report examines, among other things: (1) the extent to which neighborhood data on cities served by lead service lines can be used to focus lead reduction efforts; and (2) actions EPA has taken to address WIIN [Water Infrastructure Improvements
for the Nation] Act requirements, and EPA's risk communication documents. GAO conducted a statistical analysis combining geospatial lead service line and ACS [U.S. Census Bureau's American Community
Survey] data to identify characteristics of selected communities; reviewed legal requirements and EPA documents; and interviewed EPA officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-18
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Automated Technologies: DOT Should Take Steps to Ensure Its Workforce Has Skills Needed to Oversee Safety, Report to the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Automated technologies in planes, trains, and passenger vehicles are in use today and likely to become increasingly widespread. While these technologies hold promise, accidents involving them demonstrate potential safety challenges. DOT [U.S. Department of Transportation] is responsible for overseeing the safety of all modes of transportation. This report addresses: (1) stakeholders' perspectives on the skills required to oversee automated technologies; (2) the extent to which DOT has identified and assessed the skills it needs to oversee these technologies; and (3) the extent to which DOT has developed strategies to address any gaps in skills. GAO reviewed relevant literature and DOT workforce planning documents, and interviewed DOT human capital officials, selected modal administrations, and stakeholders, including transportation associations and technology developers. GAO selected modal administrations based in part on the prevalence of automated technologies."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-18
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Recycling: Building on Existing Federal Efforts Could Help Address Cross-Cutting Challenges, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "In 1976, Congress sought to reduce solid waste and encourage recycling as part of RCRA [Resource Conservation and Recovery Act], which gave primary responsibility for recycling to states and municipalities but requires EPA and Commerce to take specific actions. The United States generated almost 1,800 pounds of waste per capita in 2018. Recycling rates for common recyclables, such as paper, plastics, glass, and some metals, remain low. Furthermore, recent international import restrictions have reduced demand for U.S. exports of recyclables. GAO [United States Government Accountability Office] was asked to review federal efforts that advance recycling in the United States. This report examines (1) cross-cutting challenges affecting recycling in the United States, (2) actions that selected federal agencies have taken that advance recycling, and (3) actions EPA has taken to plan and coordinate national efforts to advance recycling. GAO reviewed laws and agency documents; and interviewed federal officials and nonfederal stakeholders, such as states, municipalities, and industry representatives, selected for their expertise and efforts to advance recycling."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-18
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Emergency Responder Safety: States and DOT Are Implementing Actions to Reduce Roadside Crashes, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Police, fire, medical, towing, and other responders risk being killed or injured by passing vehicles when responding to a roadside emergency. To protect these vulnerable workers and improve highway safety, all states and the District of Columbia have enacted Move Over laws. GAO was asked to review issues related to Move Over laws and emergency responder roadside safety. This report: (1) examines data NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] collects on crashes involving violations of Move Over laws, (2) describes selected states' actions and challenges related to Move Over laws, and (3) describes DOT [U.S. Department of Transportation] efforts to improve emergency responder roadside safety. GAO analyzed NHTSA's 2018 crash data, which were the latest data available; reviewed federal and state laws and regulations, and DOT initiatives to improve emergency responder roadside safety; reviewed state reports to DOT; and interviewed NHTSA and FHWA [Federal Highway Administration] officials, traffic safely and law enforcement officials in seven selected states, and stakeholders from traffic safety organizations and occupational groups, such as the Emergency Responder Safety Institute and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. GAO selected states based on a variety of factors, including traffic fatality rates per vehicle mile traveled and recommendations from stakeholders."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-17
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Intelligence Community: Additional Actions Needed to Strengthen Workforce Diversity Planning and Oversight, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "The '2019 National Intelligence Strategy' states that the IC [Intelligence Community] will recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, inclusive, and expert workforce to enable mission success. ODNI [Office of the Director of National Intelligence] reports that the IC is taking steps to increase the representation of diverse groups, such as issuing new strategies to enhance workforce planning. However, barriers to establishing a diverse workforce exist across the IC, according to an ODNI 2017 analysis. GAO was asked to review the IC's progress in enhancing workforce diversity. This report (1) summarizes ODNI annual demographic reports on the proportion of women, racial or ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities; and assesses the extent to which (2) IC elements report taking steps to address leading practices for managing workforce diversity and to identify potential barriers to maintaining a diverse workforce; and (3) ODNI is addressing leading practices for coordinating IC workforce diversity initiatives. GAO reviewed IC-wide and IC element specific policies and guidance; interviewed ODNI, and other IC officials; and administered a questionnaire to all 17 IC elements to obtain information on diversity strategies and challenges."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-17
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Federal Research: Agencies Need to Enhance Policies to Address Foreign Influence, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "The federal government reportedly expended about $42 billion on science and engineering research at universities in fiscal year 2018. Safeguarding the U.S. research enterprise from threats of foreign influence is of critical importance. Recent reports by GAO and others have noted challenges faced by the research community to combat undue foreign influence, while maintaining an open research environment that fosters collaboration, transparency, and the free exchange of ideas. GAO was asked to review federal agency and university COI [conflict of interest] policies and disclosure requirements. In this report, GAO examines (1) COI policies and disclosure requirements at selected agencies and universities that address potential foreign threats, (2) mechanisms to monitor and enforce policies and requirements, and (3) the views of selected stakeholders on how to better address foreign threats to federally funded research. GAO reviewed laws, regulations, federal guidance, and agency and university COI policies and requirements. GAO also interviewed agency officials, university officials, and researchers."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-17
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Federal Rulemaking: Selected EPA and HHS Regulatory Analyses Met Several Best Practices, but CMS Should Take Steps to Strengthen Its Analyses, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "EO [Executive Order] 13771 generally requires executive agencies to identify two rules for repeal for each new rule issued. Since EO 13771 went into effect in 2017, executive agencies have taken regulatory actions expected to generate over $50 billion in savings to society. Quality regulatory analysis provides agency decision makers and the public with a thorough assessment of the benefits and costs of different regulatory options. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review regulatory analyses for rules finalized under EO 13771. For selected agencies, this report examines (1) how the calculated economic effects of selected rules differed, if at all, from those of rules they modified; and (2) the extent to which agencies met best practices in analyzing the economic effects of selected rules for which monetized costs exceed monetized benefits. GAO reviewed analyses for 11 rules-- and the rules they modified-- finalized by EPA and HHS [Department of Health and Human Services], the two agencies that finalized the most economically significant EO 13771 rules through fiscal year 2019. GAO compared analyses to selected best practices in GAO's Assessment Methodology for Economic Analysis. GAO recommends that CMS [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] take steps to ensure its future regulatory analyses are consistent with best practices for analyzing alternatives, assessing important effects, and providing transparency. EPA said it appreciated GAO's findings. HHS generally agreed with the report, and CMS agreed with the recommendation directed to it."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-17
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Coast Guard: Actions Needed to Improve National Vessel Documentation Center Operations, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "In fiscal year 2019, the NVDC [National Vessel Documentation Center] documented about 230,000 vessels for commercial and recreational purposes in U.S. waters. The Coast Guard requires owners of certain-sized commercial vessels to obtain vessel documentation--a form of vessel registration--through the NVDC. Vessel documentation is optional for owners of recreational vessels of 5 or more net tons (generally longer than 26 feet), and many do so to secure a mortgage for financing. In 2017, GAO reported that the NVDC faced backlogs in processing recreational vessel documentation. The Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 includes a provision for GAO to review NVDC's operations. This report examines, among other objectives, the extent that the Coast Guard (1) met its NVDC workload demands and (2) measured NVDC's effectiveness in processing vessel documentation. GAO analyzed Coast Guard vessel documentation processing data for fiscal years 2015 through 2019 and information on its system used to process vessel documentation. GAO also interviewed cognizant Coast Guard officials. GAO is making seven recommendations to the Coast Guard, including that it develop and implement policies and procedures for conducting operational analyses for its vessel documentation system, and establish formal organizational performance targets for NVDC's vessel documentation activities. The Coast Guard concurred with GAO's recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-16
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Data Governance: Agencies Made Progress in Establishing Governance, but Need to Address Key Milestones, Congressional Addressees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Federal decision makers need data of sufficient quality to assess whether federal programs achieve intended results. Effective data governance is a key component to ensure data quality. Congress included provisions in statute for GAO to report on the quality of spending data and use of evidence. This report examines: (1) selected agencies' efforts to meet the data governance milestones in the 2020 Action Plan; (2) the extent to which agency data quality plans for spending data were consistent with OMB [Office of Management and
Budget] guidance; (3) the extent to which the CDO [Chief Data Officers] Council follows leading collaboration practices; and (4) key questions to help CDOs effectively implement data governance. To address these objectives, GAO selected four agencies to represent a range of data governance experiences: (1) USDA, (2) Commerce, (3) HUD [Housing and Urban Development], and (4) NSF [National Science Foundation]. GAO reviewed documents and interviewed officials regarding agencies' implementation of data governance. GAO also interviewed state and local CDOs and officials from academia and industry."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-16
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Lead Paint in Housing: HUD Has Not Identified High-Risk Project-Based Rental Assistance Properties, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Exposure to lead paint hazards can cause serious harm to children under 6 years old. HUD [Department of Housing and Urban
Development] is required by law to reduce the risk of lead paint hazards in HUD-assisted rental housing-- including project-based rental assistance (subsidies to make privately owned multifamily properties affordable to low-income households). The 2019 Consolidated Appropriations Act Joint Explanatory Statement includes a provision for GAO to review, among other things, HUD's oversight of lead paint and related hazards in affordable rental housing. This report (1) describes how HUD programs and guidance address lead paint hazards in HUD-assisted and other low-income rental housing, and (2) examines HUD's oversight procedures for assessing risk for lead paint hazards in project-based rental assistance housing. GAO reviewed HUD and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead paint regulations and documents on lead programs and methods for addressing lead paint hazards. GAO reviewed HUD oversight policies and procedures and analyzed HUD data on building and tenant age. GAO interviewed staff at HUD, EPA, and organizations that advocate for safe affordable housing."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-16
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Financial Stability: Agencies Have Not Found Leveraged Lending to Significantly Threaten Stability but Remain Cautious Amid Pandemic, Report to Agency Officials
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "The market for institutional leveraged loans grew from an estimated $0.5 trillion in 2010 to $1.2 trillion in 2019, fueled largely by investor demand for CLO [collateralized loan obligation] securities. Some observers and regulators have drawn comparisons to the pre-2008 subprime mortgage market, noting that loan origination and securitization may similarly spread risks to the financial system. These fears are being tested by the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, which has significantly affected leveraged businesses. This report examines assessments by regulators, FSOC [Financial Stability Oversight Council], and others--both before and after the COVID-19 shock to the economy--of the potential risks to financial stability stemming from leveraged lending activities, and the extent to which FSOC monitors and responds to risks from broad-based activities like leveraged lending, among other objectives. GAO examined agency and private data on market size and investor exposures; reviewed agency, industry, and international reports; and interviewed federal financial regulators and industry participants."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-16
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Substance Use Disorder: Reliable Data Needed for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Treatment for SUD [substance use disorder]--the recurrent use of substances, such as illicit drugs, causing significant impairment--can help individuals reduce or stop substance use and improve their quality of life. SUDs, and in particular drug misuse, have been a persistent and long-standing public health issue in the United States. Senate Report 115-289 contains a provision for GAO to review SUD treatment capacity. This report, among other things, describes what is known about SUD treatment facilities, services, and overall capacity; and examines the information SAMHSA [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration] uses to assess the effect of three grant programs on access to SUD treatment. GAO analyzed national SAMHSA data on SUD treatment facilities and providers, and reviewed studies that assessed treatment capacity. GAO also reviewed documentation for three of SAMHSA's largest grant programs available to states, and compared the agency's grant data quality to federal internal control standards. Finally, GAO interviewed SAMHSA officials and stakeholders, including provider groups. GAO is recommending that SAMHSA identify and implement changes to the SABG [Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant] program's data collection efforts to improve two elements of reliability--the consistency and relevance--of data collected on individuals served. SAMHSA concurred with this recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-14
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Drug Pricing Program: HHS Uses Multiple Mechanisms to Help Ensure Compliance with 340B Requirements, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Covered entities can realize substantial savings through 340B Program [340 B Drug Pricing Program] price discounts, enabling them to stretch federal resources to reach more eligible patients and provide more comprehensive services. GAO was asked to provide information on HRSA's [Health Resources and Services Administration's] efforts to oversee covered entities' compliance with 340B Program requirements. This report describes (1) the audit findings that HRSA issued to address covered entity noncompliance with 340B Program requirements; and (2) other efforts HRSA uses to help ensure that covered entities comply with 340B Program requirements. GAO reviewed documentation, including relevant federal laws and regulations and HRSA's policies, procedures, and guidance, related to 340B Program oversight. GAO also reviewed HRSA data on the number and type of audit findings made from audits finalized during fiscal years 2012 through 2019 as of September 2020--the latest data available at the time of the audit. GAO also interviewed officials from HRSA, agency contractors, and 340B Program stakeholders. GAO provided a draft of this report to HHS for review. The agency provided written and technical comments on the draft, both of which were incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-14
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2020 Census: Census Bureau Needs to Ensure Transparency Over Data Quality, Statement of J. Christopher Mihm, Managing Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony Before the Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Document: "Today, we are issuing the first in a series of planned reports that will assess the operations of the 2020 Census and identify lessons learned as planning begins for 2030. My statement today is based on that report entitled, '2020 Census: Census Bureau Needs to Assess Data Quality Concerns Stemming from Recent Design Changes'. The report describes the key changes that the Bureau made in response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] outbreak and how those changes affect the quality of the census. For that work, we reviewed Bureau decision memos and planning documents. We also reviewed Bureau announcements related to the COVID-19 response and any characterizations of the resulting operational changes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Mihm, J. Christopher
2020-12-03
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Navy and Marine Corps: Services Continue Efforts to Rebuild Readiness, but Recovery Will Take Years and Sustained Management Attention, Statement for the Record by Diana Maurer, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Statement for the Record to the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "The 2018 National Defense Strategy emphasizes that restoring and retaining readiness is critical to success in the emerging security environment. The Navy and Marine Corps are working to rebuild the readiness of their forces while also growing and modernizing their aging fleets of ships and aircraft. Readiness recovery will take years as the Navy and Marine Corps address their multiple challenges and continue to meet operational demands. This statement provides information on readiness challenges facing (1) the Navy ship and submarine fleet and (2) Navy and Marine Corps aviation. GAO [Government Accountability Office] also discusses its prior recommendations on Navy and Marine Corps readiness and the progress that has been made in addressing them. This statement is based on previous work published from 2016 to November 2020--on Navy and Marine Corps readiness challenges, including ship maintenance, sailor training, and aircraft sustainment. GAO also analyzed data updated as of November 2020, as appropriate, and drew from its ongoing work focused on Navy and Marine Corps readiness."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12-02
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Climate Resilience: DOD Coordinates with Communities, but Needs to Assess the Performance of Related Grant Programs
From the Highlights: "DOD manages a domestic real-estate portfolio with an estimated replacement value of nearly $930 billion. DOD has acknowledged climate change and extreme weather as threats to its installations, operations, and readiness; and has noted the importance of coordinating with state and local governments to improve climate change preparedness and resilience. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review DOD's efforts to coordinate with communities surrounding its installations to limit the exposure to climate change and extreme weather. This report assesses the extent to which DOD (1) reports using the physical infrastructure and support services of communities surrounding domestic installations, and the vulnerabilities to such infrastructure and services from climate change and extreme weather, and (2) coordinates with such communities to limit installation exposure to the effects of climate change and extreme weather, and is able to determine the effectiveness of related community coordination grants."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12
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Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations: DOD Needs to Address Governance and Oversight Issues to Help Ensure Superiority, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "According to DOD, the EMS [electromagnetic spectrum] is essential for facilitating control in operational environments and impacts operations in the air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. The pervasiveness of the EMS across warfighting domains means that maintaining or achieving EMS superiority against an adversary is critical to battlefield success. House Report 116-120 that accompanied a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 included a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] assess DOD's EMS strategy. This report (1) describes reported threats from peer adversaries; (2) outlines challenges to DOD's superiority in the EMS; and (3) evaluates the extent to which DOD has implemented EMS-related strategies and is positioned to achieve future goals."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12
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Indian Health Service: Actions Needed to Improve Oversight of Provider Misconduct and Substandard Performance, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "IHS [Indian Health Service] provides care to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) through a system of federally and tribally operated facilities. Recent cases of alleged and confirmed misconduct and substandard performance by IHS employees have raised questions about protecting the AI/AN population from abuse and harm. For example, in February 2020, a former IHS pediatrician was sentenced to five consecutive lifetime terms for multiple sex offenses against children. Several studies have been initiated or completed in response, and IHS has reported efforts to enhance safe and quality care for its patients. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review IHS oversight of misconduct and substandard performance. This report (1) describes IHS policies related to provider misconduct and substandard performance and (2) assesses IHS oversight of provider misconduct and substandard performance."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12
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Financial Assistance: Lessons Learned from CARES Act Loan Program for Aviation and Other Eligible Businesses, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has resulted in catastrophic loss of life and substantial damage to the global economy, including the aviation sector. U.S. passenger air carriers have lost almost $20 billion and over 47,000 jobs in 2020, with losses forecast to continue into 2021. In March 2020, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act, which provides over $2 trillion in emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including businesses in the aviation sector. The CARES Act contained a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review the loans provided under the Act. This report examines, among other things, eligible businesses' participation in the loan program and lessons learned from the program for Congress and Treasury [Department of the Treasury]."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-12
