[OC] US government programs at high risk of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, according to the GAO

Posted by USAFacts

5 comments

  2. This chart is an expanded version of a [chart on our site.](https://usafacts.org/articles/which-government-programs-are-considered-wasteful-or-inefficient/) That one doesn’t include the programs that have been removed from the GAO’s list, but I wanted to create a bigger, data-ier version for Reddit.

    To save you a click, here’s a summary of what’s on the site (chart context):

    The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) identifies federal programs are considered highly vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. The latest report highlights 37 of these “high-risk” areas—26 of which have been on the list for over a decade. Five programs have remained on the list since it was started in 1990.

    In 2023, three new areas were added:

    * The federal prison system
    * The Department of Health and Human Services’ management of public health emergencies
    * The unemployment insurance system

    29 programs have been removed since 1990. 2023 year saw the removal of the 2020 Census (which stayed on the list longer than both the 2000 and 2010 censuses) and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation insurance programs.

    The GAO evaluates risk based on public health or safety, service delivery, national security or defense, economic growth, or citizens’ rights. Programs that risk losing at least $1 billion may also be included.

    The GAO called out five specific areas in particular need of attention:

    * National cybersecurity
    * Drug abuse response
    * Food safety oversight
    * Environmental cleanup
    * Climate change fiscal risks

    The GAO estimates that addressing inefficiencies saved $100 billion between 2021 and 2023.

    All data comes directly from [the GAO](https://files.gao.gov/reports/GAO-23-106203/index.html?_gl=1*1kaxak*_ga*MTAzMjA1Njc3LjE3MzIzMTI0OTA.*_ga_V393SNS3SR*MTczMjY1NDI0NS4zLjEuMTczMjY1NDQzNi4wLjAuMA).

  3. I wouldn’t call this data beautiful… something at high risk does not equate something that is fradulent or abused.

    Like no shit the census could be at risk. That’s why the government is the one doing it. We want a high success rate too, and that’s the least risky way of getting there.

  4. Is the enforcement of tax laws due to the lack of funding? I know the IRS is perpetually underfunded, it would make sense that would make it less efficient. Or is it talking about some other reason?

  5. A weighting by the budget of the programs in question would be helpful. DoD regularly has problems with what they think of as rounding errors that are bigger than other agencies’ entire budgets.

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