A recently enacted law requires OMB to produce quarterly reports on improper payments. Image: Maria Dryfhout/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffData gathered and made available by OMB on improper payments has helped foster cooperation among agencies to address that long-running issue but more could be done, GAO has said.
“For programs OMB designated as high priority, scorecards contain key information that is important for both OMB and inspectors general in overseeing efforts to address improper payments,” it said. That information, on paymentAccuracy.gov, includes descriptions of programs, historical overpayment rates, and more.
The latest version includes a summary of overpayment causes and barriers to prevention, actions that agencies took in the prior quarter and those they plan to take, it added.
However, it said that OMB gathers feedback from agencies on the usefulness of the information only on an “ad hoc” basis, and “because both OMB and IGs rely on the information that each provides the other, their collaboration is imperative.”
“Enhancing interagency collaboration between OMB and IGs would help agencies improve their ability to detect and prevent improper payments. By periodically reviewing relevant IGs’ reports of compliance with PIIA criteria and documenting and communicating consideration of reported issues, OMB could better ensure that IGs have necessary information to oversee agencies’ efforts to reduce improper payments. Also, this could help ensure that Congress and the public have more transparent information about the progress agencies have made,” it said.
The report was the latest in a series from GAO on improper payments under a law requiring it to produce quarterly reports on improper payments. GAO said it provided a draft to OMB, which had no comment.
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