By agency, the greatest share of recommendations not implemented or only partially implemented involve DoD. Image: Al Orfali/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffGAO has said that federal agencies have achieved an estimated $725 billion in financial benefits by adopting its recommendations to reduce fragmentation, duplication and overlap in their programs since 2011, although the latest annual assessment cites 43 new areas, many of them related to shortcomings in IT and anti-fraud activities.
It said agencies have fully addressed 71 percent of more than 2,000 recommendations in that time and have partially addressed another 8 percent, with a projected savings of $57 billion over the last year and the potential for $100 billion or more from carrying out open recommendations.
By agency, the greatest share of recommendations not implemented or only partially implemented involve DoD, followed by HHS and IRS.
Among the areas of greatest potential for either savings or new revenue, it said, are equalizing payment rates under Medicare between settings for evaluation and management office visits and other service; better coordinating weapons systems among the military services; fully implementing statutory requirements for agencies to perform annual IT portfolio reviews and high-risk IT investment reviews; and stepping up efforts to recover improper payments in pandemic relief programs.
Among the new areas cited as fragmented, duplicative or overlapping are efforts to assess public health emergency responses, maternal health programs, mental health services for service members transitioning to civilian life, management of the Strategic National Stockpile, DHS counternarcotics investigations, and DHS research and development projects.
Also: DoD counternarcotics programs, public health IT systems, food bank programs, homelessness assistance programs, services for older adults, programs for personnel transitioning out of the military, and training, employment and education programs.
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See also,
A Pre-RIF Checklist for Every Federal Employee, From a Federal Employment Attorney
Work Longer or Take the FERS Supplement Now: Which is Better?
Doubling Your TSP (C Fund vs G Fund)
How to Estimate a FERS Special Retirement Supplement (calculator!)
