Tag Archives: transparency

A Lot of Government Information Is Freely Available

Posted on January 3, 2019 by WatchBlog

From health and education statistics to budget and spending information, the federal government produces a lot of information, or data. Agencies are making more and more of this data open for everyone to use. Our recent report identified 5 key … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on January 3, 2019 by WatchBlog | Tagged Department of the Treasury, open data, open government data, SI, transparency, Triana McNeil

The DATA Act Reporting Deadline Is Here—Will Agencies Show You the Money?

Posted on May 8, 2017 by WatchBlog

Ever wonder how federal agencies spend the trillions of dollars they’re allotted each year? Well Congress did too, and it passed the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act), which required agencies to submit standardized, accurate financial information … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on May 8, 2017 by WatchBlog | Tagged Chris Mihm, DATA Act, Data Standards Committee, digital accountability and transparency act, Office of Management and Budget, OIG, OMB, Paula Rascona, SI, transparency, Treasury

All About Medicaid

Posted on July 14, 2016 by WatchBlog

We’ve talked a lot about Medicare on this blog but Medicaid, a federal-state health care program, is also on our radar. In fact, it’s one of our High Risk issues. Today’s WatchBlog looks at the size and complexity of Medicaid, … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on July 14, 2016 by WatchBlog | Tagged beneficiaries, Children's Health Insurance Program, CHIP, cost, enrollment, expense, HC, Medicaid, oversight, size, states, transparency

Our 10 Most Popular Podcasts of 2014

Posted on December 19, 2014 by gao_watchblog

Want to know what nanomanufacturing is? The connection between fracking and new oil pipelines? How much those F-35 Joint Strike Fighters will ultimately cost? Listen to our 10 most downloaded podcasts of 2014 to help understand some of the major … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on December 19, 2014 by gao_watchblog | Tagged airline industry, airline pilot, aviation, bitcoin, bitcoins, border patrol, customer service, DOD, duplication, end of year, F-35, F35, federal, federal agencies, federal agency, forest service, fracking, fragmentation, health care costs, hydraulic fracturing, joint strike fighter, JSF, Mt Gox, new year, oil pipeline, overlap, pilot shortage, pipeline safety, podcast, stolen identities, tax dollars, tax fraud, tax refunds, taxes, taxpayer, top 10, transparency, virtual currency, weapons systems | 1 Comment

Podcast on Health Care Price Transparency

Posted on November 19, 2014 by gao_watchblog

As consumers pay for a growing proportion of their health care, they have an increased need for information on cost and quality before receiving care, to help them plan and make informed decisions. Transparency tools from the Centers for Medicare … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on November 19, 2014 by gao_watchblog | Tagged Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS, consumer information, consumer protection, HC, health and human services, health care, HHS, transparency, transparency tools

Considering College Costs Beyond Tuition

Posted on September 5, 2014 by gao_watchblog

If you’re heading to college this fall, you may be focused on the major costs—tuition and fees, possibly room and board. We have examined some of the other costs of college, such as textbooks and college debit cards, that can … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on September 5, 2014 by gao_watchblog | Tagged college, college de, cost, debit card, debt, EWIS, fees, FMCI, higher ed, higher education, information, ISBN, textbooks, transparency, university | 1 Comment

Tracking Progress on Financial Stability and Reform

Posted on July 21, 2014 by gao_watchblog

In response to the worst financial crisis in more than 75 years, U.S. policymakers undertook wide-ranging reforms. For example, the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) aims, among other things:

Image | Posted on July 21, 2014 by gao_watchblog | Tagged bailout, bank, Consumer Financial Protection, consumer protection, credit rating agencies, Dodd-Frank, finance, financial institutions, financial services, Financial Stability Oversight Council, high risk, regulation, SEC, securities, too big to fail, transparency, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Using DATA to Shine the Light on Federal Spending

Posted on June 11, 2014 by gao_watchblog

Understanding how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars is a daunting task. In fiscal year 2013 alone, the federal government spent $3.5 trillion. In May, Congress unanimously passed and the President signed the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA), which … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on June 11, 2014 by gao_watchblog | Tagged accountability, big data, community of practice, Comptroller General, data, DATA Act, data analytics, data sharing, digital accountability and transparency act, FAIS, government, inspector general, IT, Recovery, Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, SI, transparency, USASpending, USASpending.gov

Impediments to an Audit Opinion on the Government’s Financial Statements

Posted on March 5, 2014 by GAOWatchBlog

The Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, annually consolidates individual agency financial statements to provide a comprehensive overview of the federal government’s finances. GAO is required to audit the consolidated … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on March 5, 2014 by GAOWatchBlog | Tagged audit, auditor, chief financial officers, consolidated financial statements, defense, Defense Department, financial reports, financial statements, Office of Management and Budget, OMB, reform, reports, statements, transparency, Treasury, Treasury Department | 2 Comments