Government waste, fraud, and abuse are a scourge on American taxpayers and a multi-billion dollar insult to the federal budget, but preventing improper payments, particularly in Medicare, is now running into roadblocks despite being a rare example of success. Medicare providers, particularly hospitals, which have for years received billions in improper overpayments, now fully appreciate […]
Navigating Healthcare Privacy
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $67 million in grants to more than 100 organizations to assist individuals needing help navigating the confusing process of signing up for Obamacare. On August 14, 2013, the attorney generals of 13 states sent a letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius, raising apprehension about what they […]
Tax and Spend Won’t Fix the Results of the Financial Crisis
Today, the President gave a speech on the five-year anniversary of the financial meltdown and claimed his policies of government “investments” and intrusion into the private sector, higher taxes, and more regulations have helped the economy turn the corner. He called for more government spending as he claimed, yet again, turning the economy around is his top […]
Will the Senate Close the Door to Obamacare Fraud?
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2775, legislation that requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to have a program in place that verifies the household income and coverage requirements of individuals and families applying for taxpayer-funded subsidies and credits to help them purchase health insurance under Obamacare. By law, the credits […]
Another New Math?
It seems that Treasury Secretary Jack Lew may have created another form of “new math.” According to CNSNews.com, the U.S. Treasury has not reported an increase in the debt for the entire month of August. It has remained at the same level every day since May. As CNSNews points out, “that makes 112 days that, […]
A Common Problem in U.S. Education
The Common Core State Standards Initiative, originally sponsored by the National Governor’s Association, and supported by President Obama, will change the way students are tested and how teachers will teach by the year 2014. If there’s any confusion on what that means, just read the Common Core’s mission statement: “The standards are designed to be […]
New Voice Opposes MEADS
As members of Congress reconvene following their long summer break, one of their most immediate tasks will be to pass legislation to fund the federal government beyond the current fiscal year, which ends at the end of the month. One issue that is likely to crop up (yet) again is funding for the Medium Extended […]
Back to Black – II
A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog about Senator Coburn’s (R-OK) efforts in fighting a bloated federal government, rife with waste, fraud, and abuse. You may recall his office has produced several reports on where spending could be cut in the federal government. In my blog, I pulled out some examples from one of […]
CAGW’s Prime Cuts Hones in On Programmatic Waste
Every year, Citizens Against Government Waste produces Prime Cuts, a comprehensive list of spending cuts that could be used by Congress to reduce spending and keep the budget under the Budget Control Act spending caps. Here are just a few of the programs CAGW includes in its Prime Cuts report. Eliminate the Rural Utilities Service 1-Year […]
Seeing Double: Yes, Even More Duplication!
As part of a continuing series, CAGW is providing you with examples of duplication and overlap within the federal government that has been researched by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). In the 2011 GAO annual report, “Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in Government Programs, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue,” the agency offers 81 suggestions […]