Podcasts by Government Accountability Office (GAO) Podcast: Watchdog Report
Featuring interviews with GAO officials on significant issues and new reports, the Watchdog Report is recorded, hosted, and produced by GAO staff.
Further podcasts by Government Accountability Office
Podcast on the topic Regierung
All episodes
Meet GAO’s New Chief Scientist from 2023-12-04T09:29:09
GAO publishes reports and provides technical assistance to Congress to help members understand the emerging technology and science issues and potential policy options. We recently named a new chief...
Listen
Federal Response to Cyber-based Attacks from 2023-12-04T08:37:06
Cyber-based attacks on federal systems have become more damaging and disruptive. Federal agencies are required to secure their IT systems from these attacks. GAO's Jennifer Franks joins us to ...
Listen
High-Risk Radioactive Material Disposal from 2023-11-30T08:02:12
Radioactive materials are commonly used for medical, industrial and research purposes. But after use, what's being done to ensure radioactive materials are disposed of safely. In a new report,...
Listen
Public Health Preparedness--Building and Maintaining Infrastructure Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic from 2023-11-07T08:40:26
At the beginning of the pandemic, we heard a lot about shortages of hospital beds, ventilators, testing supplies, as well as doctors and nurses. GAO has reported heavily on the impacts of not being...
Listen
Early Childhood Development--Challenges Providing and Accessing Services from 2023-10-05T09:29:29
Parents know that the first few years of a child's life include so many critical milestones. During those first few years, it's critical to identify any developmental delays a child might...
Listen
What More Should the U.S. Do to Prevent Transnational Repression? from 2023-10-03T09:02:28
Some foreign governments have harassed, abducted, threatened, or even assassinated U.S.-based individuals in an effort to silence their criticism. Prominent examples of transnational repression lik...
Listen
As NASA Plans Its Return to the Moon, Greater Visibility Into Spending Could Help Address Cost Concern from 2023-09-07T08:29:23
When NASA launched Artemis I last November, it used the world's most powerful rocket. The same rocket design, or Space Launch System, will be used in the Artemis II and III missions, with the ...
Listen
State and Local Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Vehicles from 2023-08-03T13:33:46
Greenhouse gas emissions are a major contributor to climate change. The largest source of emissions in the U.S. is transportation occurring on our nation’s roadways, which are owned and run by stat...
Listen
Shift from Corporations to Partnerships Causes Challenges for IRS Audits from 2023-07-27T14:03
Businesses are increasingly shifting their legal structures from corporations-- that are subject to corporate income taxes--topartnerships. This shift has made it more difficult for the IRS to iden...
Listen
Unemployment Insurance Delays Caused by Old Computer IT from 2023-07-24T13:25:57
Unemployment Insurance programs saw unprecedented increases in demand during the pandemic. But despite this increase, many Americans were extremely frustrated when they tried to apply facing delays...
Listen
Underused Federal Office Spaces from 2023-07-13T12:00:09
The federal government has 500 million square feet of office space, which costs billions of dollars each year to lease, operate and maintain. But many of these buildings are under-occupied. This is...
Listen
Our Priority Recommendations for the Department of Homeland Security from 2023-07-05T11:17:59
Every year, GAO sends letters to federal agencies highlighting our recommendations from past reports that we think should be prioritized because they would have an immediate high impact on the most...
Listen
Department of Defense Efforts to Acquire Artificial Intelligence from 2023-06-29T10:56:48
Artificial intelligence could transform national defense and security. The Department of Defense has designated it a top priority in its modernization efforts. What are DOD's plans to gain AI ...
Listen
U.S. Coast Guard's Offshore Patrol Cutters Efforts Are Delayed And More Expensive Than Planned from 2023-06-20T09:15:41
The U.S. Coast Guard plans to acquire 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters to help continue its mission--patrolling for homeland security, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations. But construction ...
Listen
Nuclear Weapons Cybersecurity from 2023-06-12T07:47:23
Nuclear weapons, along with other military weapon systems, are increasingly relying on software and other information technology to operate. But this increased reliance may make nuclear weapons and...
Listen
Social Security Reform from 2023-05-18T10:25
Social Security makes up a substantial percentage of the retirement income for many older Americans. But significant financial challenges threaten the government's ability to continue paying b...
Listen
Fraud in Small Business COVID-19 Relief Programs from 2023-05-18T09:06:13
Funding to support small businesses and their employees, who were impacted by the pandemic, totaled over $1 trillion. While this assisted more than 10 million businesses, some of it went to those w...
Listen
Aviation Workforce--Concerns about Future Pilot and Mechanic Shortages from 2023-05-17T10:24:44
Widespread cancellations and delays seemed commonplace during the last holiday travel season. But while airlines are taking actions to address the causes of these disruptions, larger obstacles may ...
Listen
What Do Noncompete Agreements Mean for Lower-Wage Workers and the Economy? from 2023-05-16T11:58:11
Noncompete agreements have historically been applied to highly skilled workers and executives with access to company secrets and other proprietary information. But recently these contracts used mor...
Listen
Department of Defense Financial Management Challenges from 2023-05-15T11:12:19
The Department of Defense's budget makes up about half of all federal discretionary spending. But the DOD's financial statements have long been the source of scrutiny. For example, DOD is...
Listen
Child Trafficking and Child Protection Compacts from 2023-04-17T09:18:34
To combat child trafficking, the U.S. partners with other countries through Child Protection Compacts. We'll find out more from GAO's Chelsa Kenney, who looked at what is known about how ...
Listen
U.S. Funding of Entities Located In China from 2023-04-12T09:28:18
U.S. agencies sometimes provide funding to foreign businesses and other entities when it helps support U.S. trade and other goals. This financial support includes entities located in China. GAO...
Listen
Fusion Energy from 2023-03-30T08:06:20
Fusion energy has long promised to be a potentially transformative source of energy that avoids some of the risks and environmental impacts that other energy sources produce. But the advancement of...
Listen
Food Prices Increases from 2023-03-28T10:02:23
Food prices generally increase by about 2 percent each year. But from 2021 to 2022, food prices rose by 11 percent, the largest annual increase in over 40 years. What caused this major increase, an...
Listen
Regenerative Medicine Workforce from 2023-03-23T08:20:33
Regenerative medicine is an emerging field of health care that has the potential to cure previously untreatable diseases, repair or replace human cells, tissue or organs, and save lives. While the ...
Listen
The U.S. Led Fight Against Global Cybercrime from 2023-03-01T09:55:52
The United States and its global partners are experiencing a massive wave of cybercrimes. Here in the U.S., federal law enforcement have received record numbers of complaints in recent years, which...
Listen
Climate Change--Building Greater Resilience in Agriculture from 2023-02-16T09:10:59
American farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers are increasingly facing the impacts of climate change. Federal insurance programs can help offset some of these financial impacts. But as...
Listen
IRS’s Reliance on Aging Technology Impacts Taxpayers, and Modernization Plans are Incomplete and Delayed from 2023-02-07T09:31:50
The IRS relies heavily on outdated computer software and hardware to perform its day-to-day operations. This includes things that would impact taxpayers, such as processing tax returns and refunds,...
Listen
Border Patrol Efforts to Reduce Migrant Deaths and Assist Those in Distress from 2022-04-20T09:29:04
Migrants crossing the Southwest border of the United States can encounter remote, rugged stretches of land and harsh, hot conditions. While U.S. Border Patrol responds to reports of migrants unlawf...
Listen
As Navy Moves Toward Uncrewed Maritime Vehicles, A Clearer Plan Is Need for Achieving Its Goals from 2022-04-07T07:40:24
The U.S. Navy faces more competition as other nations invest in new weapons and technologies designed to disrupt U.S. naval advantages. To help counter this competition and potential disruptions, t...
Listen
Telehealth Use Surged During the Pandemic Among Medicaid Beneficiaries from 2022-03-31T07:35:42
Telehealth boomed during the pandemic--including among Medicaid beneficiaries. However, there are some concerns about the quality of care that patients received, and even fraudulent billing by some...
Listen
Artificial Intelligence Could Transform Defense Strategies. How is DOD Planning for It? from 2022-03-30T10:25:35
Artificial intelligence (AI) is likely to transform national defense and war strategies. The Department of Defense has even stated that failure to adopt AI technology could restore the military...
Listen
Demand For Mental Health Care Has Grown, But Access May Lag Even For Those With Coverage from 2022-03-30T09:20:32
An estimated 21% of adults in the U.S. have mental health or serious mental health conditions. While many patients have health care insurance coverage or benefits that include mental health service...
Listen
DOD’s and U.S. Coast Guard’s Efforts to Prevent Sexual Assault In The Military from 2022-03-28T10:19:04
Sexual assault is a heinous crime that can have a lasting, harmful effect on victims. But when it occurs among the ranks of military service members, it can have the additional effect of underminin...
Listen
Opioid Misuse Impacts on Older Workers from 2022-03-25T10:01:37
Opioid misuse has resulted in the deaths of over 840,000 Americans since 1999, and the pandemic has exasperated this crisis. The pandemic has exacerbated this problem. In fact, more than 75,000 dea...
Listen
K-12 Learning Loss During the Pandemic, 1.1 Million Students Did Not Show Up For School from 2022-03-23T09:20:58
For millions of students, teachers and their families, the last couple of school years during COVID-19 were rife with challenges that disrupted education. But many teachers nationwide reported havi...
Listen
K-12 Learning Loss During the Pandemic, 1.1 million teachers had students who did not show up for school from 2022-03-23T09:20:58
For millions of students, teachers and their families, the last couple of school years during COVID-19 were rife with challenges that disrupted education. But many teachers nationwide reported havi...
Listen
How To Get Off Our High Risk List from 2022-03-02T14:30:46
Occasionally, we deem some programs and operations ‘high risk’ because they are especially vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement, or in need of transformation. We then make recommend...
Listen
Virtual Charter Schools Enrollment is Up, But Student Performance is Down from 2022-03-02T07:28:36
Even before COVID-19 drew national attention to remote learning, enrollment in virtual schools had actually been increasing faster than enrollment and other public schools, and nearly 70% of all st...
Listen
Federal Efforts to Improve Protection of Critical Infrastructure After the Colonial Pipeline Attack from 2022-03-01T10:15:01
The 2021 cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline disrupted fuel supplies in the Southeast United States and showed us just how vulnerable our nation's infrastructure is to these kinds of threats....
Listen
Preventing the Abuse of Youths Living in Residential Facilities from 2022-02-23T08:37:09
News media have reported several incidents of youth being mistreated, abused or neglected, and sometimes even killed by staff employed at residential facilities. We talk with GAO’s Kathy Larin abo...
Listen
National Security Snapshot, the Challenges of China from 2022-02-15T07:41:25
China has made tremendous gains in its military capabilities over the last 20 years and is striving to be a world class military. China's increasingly assertive demeanor on the world stage, as...
Listen
DOD Estimates for Facility Sustainment Fall Short of Funding Needs from 2022-01-31T09:37:43
The Department of Defense (DOD) manages more than 550,000 facilities worldwide. These include everything from military housing and childcare centers to runways, roads and pipelines. GAO recently lo...
Listen
An Update on Our Review of the Federal Response to COVID-19 from 2022-01-27T09:11:58
Today, we issue our latest and ninth comprehensive report with recommendations to improve the federal response to COVID-19 response. Hear more from four GAO experts about our latest findings, inclu...
Listen
Potentially Ineligible Providers in the Veterans Community Care Program from 2022-01-13T08:19:25
Veterans can receive health care services through community providers when they face challenges accessing care at VA facilities. The Veteran’s Health Administration is responsible for ensuring comm...
Listen
How Federal Financial Regulators Protect Your Personal Information from 2022-01-13T07:52:04
Federal financial regulators are increasingly using individuals’ data to detect and prevent crimes like funding terrorism, as well as to enhance online interactions with consumers. However, as its ...
Listen
How Virtual Currencies Are Used in Human and Drug Trafficking from 2022-01-10T09:36:53
Virtual currencies are being used to facilitate illicit activities, including human and drug trafficking. GAO was asked to look into this issue and federal efforts to prevent it. We talk GAO’s Gret...
Listen
Trafficking and Money Laundering from 2021-12-23T07:15:45
Criminal organizations and terrorist groups use money laundering to carry out their crimes, including human trafficking or trafficking of other goods like illegal drugs and wildlife. In 2021, Treas...
Listen
Military Hazing and DOD’s Efforts to Stop It from 2021-12-15T10:14:25
The U.S. military has a rich history and traditions of initiation ceremonies and rites of passage that at times have included inappropriate, cruel or even abusive behavior. According to the DOD, th...
Listen
COVID-19 and Behavioral Health from 2021-12-10T07:54:27
: Americans have reported feeling more isolated and stressed, and many have experienced economic hardship as a result of COVID-19. This has caused an increase in demand for behavioral health servic...
Listen
Nuclear Waste Cleanup from 2021-12-09T07:56:34
Nuclear energy research and weapons development dating as far back as World War II has left behind millions of gallons of hazardous and radioactive waste. The Department of Energy has the difficult...
Listen
Law Enforcement Excessive Use of Force from 2021-12-07T14:00:18
George Floyd's death in May 2020, as well as other highly publicized deaths, have raised questions and concerns about law enforcement's use of force, including excessive force. The Depart...
Listen
Bullying, Hate Crimes and Violence in K-12 Public Schools from 2021-11-23T15:06:45
Millions of students experience hostile behaviors like bullying, hate speech and violence each year while in school. The Departments of Education and Justice have issued reminders to K-12 schools a...
Listen
As Remote Learning Increased, So Did the Cyber Threats Facing K-12 Schools from 2021-11-12T09:44:06
During the pandemic, many schools moved from in-person to remote learning. Students and teachers use laptops and personal computers to connect for lessons while at home. And while technology allowe...
Listen
Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women from 2021-11-01T07:52:09
American Indian and Alaska native women are more likely to experience intimate partner violence and other violence, such as human trafficking and murder when compared with White women. But understa...
Listen
Reducing the Use of Radioactive Materials from 2021-10-21T10:38:06
Radioactive materials are commonly used in medical and industrial devices, and for research purposes. But if they fell into the wrong hands, even in small amounts, these radioactive materials could...
Listen
The Ongoing Recovery of the Aviation Industry from 2021-10-21T07:46:26
International flight restrictions, local stay at home orders, and a fear of catching COVID-19 had a profound effect on airports, airlines and industries that rely on commercial travel. How is the a...
Listen
DOD’s Oversight and Use of Private Security Contractors from 2021-10-21T07:36:11
After the September 11th attacks and during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that followed, the Department of Defense significantly increased its use of private security contractors. Given this gr...
Listen
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Bonuses Happen Despite Restrictions from 2021-09-30T08:39:35
Academics and bankruptcy attorneys have raised concerns that some companies may be working around federal restrictions preventing them from awarding bonuses after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. ...
Listen
How Prepared Was the Federal Government to Use Telework During the Pandemic? from 2021-09-30T07:25:49
Many of us are still working from home in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. For the federal government, telework has been used by employees to continue their work during times of dis...
Listen
Public Comments in Federal Rulemaking from 2021-09-23T09:16:04
Federal agencies propose thousands of regulation changes every year, and generally collect public comments on these changes. However, some proposals have received extremely large numbers of comment...
Listen
Chronic Health Conditions: Federal Strategy Needed to Coordinate Diet-Related Efforts from 2021-09-16T10:13:53
Chronic health conditions' such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity-are often caused by diet related factors, andthey're having a significant impact on our lives, the economy...
Listen
GAO-21-377PR, Currie DHS Priority Recs Podcast, August 2021 from 2021-08-23T08:11:57
For the Department of Homeland Security, our priority recommendations include those that would improve security at the border, in transportation, at chemical and nuclear facilities, and in the cybe...
Listen
Our Priority Recommendations for the Department of Defense from 2021-08-09T13:15:28
Every year, GAO sends letters to federal agencies highlighting our recommendations from past reports that we think agency should prioritize because they would have an immediate high impact on the m...
Listen
Potential Fraud in SBA's Paycheck Protection Program and Efforts to Prevent It from 2021-07-29T18:09:24
In response to the pandemic, the Small Business Administration quickly implemented the Paycheck Protection Program to assist small businesses adversely affected by COVID-19. However, there are con...
Listen
COVID-19 in Federal Prisons from 2021-07-29T08:45:40
Prison populations were particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19 because of their confined communal spaces. Inmates also tend to have higher rates of underlying health conditions, such as...
Listen
How Can the Federal Government Contract More Like Private Companies? from 2021-07-27T11:38:08
Federal agencies spend more than $500 billion each year on contracts--buying everything from cutting edge military aircraft to office supplies. We talk with two federal contracting experts—GAO’s T...
Listen
Did Housing Protections Under the CARES Act Work? from 2021-07-12T09:28:04
COVID-19 caused significant turmoil in the U.S. economy, leaving many citizens without stable incomes. The CARES Act, which Congress passed in March of 2020, sought to provide homeowners with some...
Listen
The Challenges with Enforcing the Clean Water Act and Monitoring Pollution from 2021-07-12T08:21:49
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees and enforces compliance with the Clean Water Act. Under EPA's oversight, entities like industrial facilities and municipal wastewater treatm...
Listen
Priority Recommendations for the Environmental Protection Agency from 2021-07-06T10:07:34
Every year, GAO sends letters to federal agencies, highlighting some of our recommendations that we think should be prioritized because they would have an immediate, high impact and the most press...
Listen
Federal Law Enforcement’s Use of Facial Recognition Technology from 2021-06-29T09:24
The use of facial recognition technology is expanding, including among law enforcement. While its use may help law enforcement solve crimes more quickly, there are concerns about the extent to wh...
Listen
2021 Quick Look At DOD Weapon Systems Acquisitions from 2021-06-07T13:32:06
Each year, GAO provides a quick look assessing the Department of Defense’s major weapons programs. This year's assessment comes at a time of significant internal changes to DOD's weapons...
Listen
After 2017 Collisions, What is the Navy Doing to Reduce Sailor Fatigue and Workloads? from 2021-05-27T07:51:47
After two separate collisions involving U.S. Navy ships in 2017, which resulted in the deaths of sailors, the Navy found that overworked, fatigue sailors and training deficiencies contributed to t...
Listen
NASA Plans For 2024 Moon Landing Progress, But Still Face Challenges from 2021-05-26T08:33:24
NASA's plans to return American astronauts to the Moon have been accelerated by 4 years, moving from 2028 to 2024. Since then, NASA's efforts have faced management challenges as well as...
Listen
Our Priority Recommendations for the State Department from 2021-05-26T07:55:08
For the Department of State, our priority recommendations include those that would improve the vetting process for security assistance, an approved embassy construction planning, and cyber securit...
Listen
The Evolving Cyber Insurance Market from 2021-05-20T08:18:49
Malicious cyberattacks have resulted in billions of dollars in damages each year for US businesses. As more cyber threats emerged, there has been increasing demand for insurance policy against cy...
Listen
Widespread COVID-19 Outbreaks In Nursing Homes from 2021-05-19T10:38:49
Widespread outbreaks of COVID-19 in nursing homes and the resulting deaths of elderly residents have been widely reported in the news. Why were nursing home so much more susceptible to outbreaks, ...
Listen
Pedestrian and cyclists deaths are up. How is the government responding? from 2021-05-06T17:19:14
About 20 pedestrians and cyclists die each day as a result of collisions with motor vehicles. That's more than 7,000 people each year, and it's a number that's increased by nearly 5...
Listen
DOD's Efforts to Combat Domestic Abuse from 2021-05-06T07:18:52
The Department of Defense says that domestic abuse is incompatible with the military's values and reduces military mission readiness. The DOD is required to record and report domestic abuse i...
Listen
Demand for Behavioral Health Services Increases During the Pandemic from 2021-04-30T08:58:17
New stressors associated with the pandemic could increase the number of people seeking services for mental health and substance use issues. But this potential increase also highlights longstanding...
Listen
U.S. Postal Service Confronts Challenges During and After the Pandemic from 2021-04-29T09:09:30
COVID-19 changed how people use the U.S. Postal Service. While the postal service was in higher demand during the pandemic, it also saw financial losses and fewer on time deliveries. As the pandem...
Listen
Our Work on Racial Disparities and Diversity Issues--Special Edition for GAO's 100th Anniversary from 2021-04-27T20:25:40
This year, GAO celebrates its 100th anniversary. To commemorate our centennial, we are recording a series of podcasts about our history as an agency, and our contributions to public policy and pro...
Listen
Is the U.S. Paying More for Prescription Drugs? from 2021-04-27T13:24:56
There's a perception that U.S. consumers pay more for prescription drugs than consumers in other countries. But do we? And what might explain the price differences for the same drugs? We'...
Listen
COVID-19 Vaccine Availability and Initial Implementation Challenges from 2021-04-14T08:36:23
Are you still waiting to get your vaccine? The federal government has taken actions to increase the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, and says vaccines will be available to all adults in the U.S....
Listen
Changes in Military Readiness from 2021-04-07T07:37:56
While the U.S. has enjoyed a dominant military advantage for decades, the Department of Defense says this superiority is being challenged by potential adversaries--most notably China and Russia--a...
Listen
VA’s Suicide Prevention Teams Face Increasing Workloads As Demand for Services Grow from 2021-04-05T08:57:13
While veterans comprise only 8 percent of the adult population in the U.S., they accounted for almost 14 percent of adult suicides in 2018. In response to these risks, the Department of Veterans A...
Listen
The Theft of Native American Cultural Resources and Federal Efforts to Protect Them from 2021-04-05T07:53:21
Native American cultural resources are things such as weapons and carvings, building or even human remains. They are irreplaceable and often extremely fragile. However, these items have long been ...
Listen
Urgent Actions Needed to Address Federal Cybersecurity Challenges from 2021-03-24T11:11:03
Threats to our nation's cybersecurity infrastructure were once again highlighted after reports in December of a mass-breach of U.S. government agencies, businesses and contractors. GAO has in...
Listen
The State of Our Nation’s Fiscal Health and the Effects of COVID-19, March 2021 from 2021-03-23T10:59:52
Trillions of dollars have been used in the federal response to COVID-19. This money includes unemployment assistance and small business loans for those impacted by the pandemic, as well as funding...
Listen
The Cybersecurity Risks Facing Retirement Savings Plans from 2021-03-15T11:59
More than 100 million workers participate in employer-sponsored retirement savings plans--such as 401Ks. Together, their contributions represent nearly $6.3 trillion in assets. However, these asse...
Listen
OSHA's Efforts to Ensure Employers Report Job Related Injuries and Illness from 2021-03-04T12:24:04
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) collects data from employers about injuries and illness in order to provide oversight of industries, as well as to improve safety policies ...
Listen
Protecting Military Weapon Systems from Cyberattacks from 2021-03-04T10:49:53
The Department of Defense is increasingly fielding high-tech weapon systems to maintain U.S. battlefield superiority. However, these sophisticated, expensive weapon systems are at risk of cyberatt...
Listen
The 2021 High Risk Update from 2021-03-02T09:54:24
Every two years with the arrival of a new Congress, GAO issues updates to our High Risk List--highlighting some areas of government that are particularly at risk of waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagem...
Listen
The Challenges Facing IRS Before and During COVID-19, And What It Means for Taxes in 2021 from 2021-03-01T12:05:29
The IRS processes more than 150 million individual and business tax returns each year. While the IRS has modernized its process to allow for electronic filings, several key functions remain paper-...
Listen
Pregnant Women in Department of Justice Custody from 2021-03-01T11:01:54
Policymakers and advocacy groups have raised concerns about the treatment of pregnant women in custody, including the use of restraints, and so-called solitary confinement. There are also concerns...
Listen
Vaccine Safety from 2021-02-25T14:25:43
The U.S. has put a lot of its hope for combating the effects of the coronavirus pandemic behind two vaccines developed in record time--one year instead of the more typical 5-10 years. But how safe...
Listen
What Manufacturing Challenges Could Delay Vaccine Distribution? from 2021-02-11T10:02:40
In May, the federal government announced plans for Operation Warp Speed--a partnership between the government and private pharmaceutical companies to quickly develop and distribute vaccines. And w...
Listen
Citations for Infection Control Deficiencies Were Common at VA Community Living Centers Prior to COVID-19 from 2021-02-05T11:16:28
The Department of Veteran Affairs owns and operates 134 nursing home style facilities called Community Living Centers where disabled and aging veterans can receive short and long term care service...
Listen
Why Are Rural Hospitals Closing And What Is The Impact? from 2021-02-02T19:05:05
Rural hospitals are closing at an alarming rate, which had had a significant impact on residents' ability to access health care services. Closures may have broader implications for communitie...
Listen
Immediate Action Needed to Protect Veterans from Unqualified Health Care Providers from 2021-02-01T12:02:51
While the Department of Veterans Affairs operates one of the largest healthcare systems in the country, it also allows veterans to receive care through community providers when they face challenge...
Listen
Federal Social Safety Net Programs and the Millions that Rely on Them from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
In February--just before the COVID-19 crisis hit the U.S.--the Department of Labor reported that employment was at the highest levels in 50 years. However, in that same month, millions of workers ...
Listen
Operation Warp Speed and the Federal Effort to Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccine and Therapeutic Development from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Vaccines can take up to 10 years to develop, and sometimes longer. But with the number of COVID-19 cases rapidly increasing and the catastrophic loss of life, the federal government has taken step...
Listen
How Does USDA Ensure the Integrity of Programs for U.S. Farmers? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture distributes billions of dollars in payments to farmers. These payments provide income that supports producers of key crops such as corn, cotton, and s...
Listen
Why Do Some Communities Still Lack Broadband? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Broadband is the most commonly used form of internet access in the U.S. and provides high-speed connections through things like cables, fiber-optics, and satellites. Yet, millions of Americans sti...
Listen
Supports for Family Caregivers in the U.S. vs. Abroad from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Family caregivers--such as adult children and spouses--play a critical role in supporting the elderly population, which is growing at a rapid rate in the United States. However, these caregivers m...
Listen
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Effort to Combat Counterfeit Goods from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Counterfeit goods not only infringe on intellectual property rights, but can also harm the U.S. economy and threaten consumers' health by exposing them to potentially unsafe materials. U.S. Custom...
Listen
Measuring Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and Its Costs from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Many workers experience sexual harassment in their workplace. However, the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment in the United States--as well as the costs to the employee and their employer--...
Listen
The Harm of Data Breaches in Public K-12 Schools from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Schools collect and store a range of information about students, including data on their grades and test scores, addresses and phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and even medical information....
Listen
COVID-19 and the Challenges for K-12 Schools in Disaster Areas from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
COVID-19 has proven highly disruptive to students and schools this year. But many communities face added disruptions caused by natural disasters--such as hurricanes and wildfires--which can cut el...
Listen
Protecting Air Travel from Cyberthreats from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Airplanes are equipped with systems that provide information about the weather, flight location, communications, and more. While these systems are critical to flight safety, they also present oppo...
Listen
Testing for Lead in Child Care Facilities' Water from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Exposing children to lead--in contaminated water, for example--can lead to long-term health problems like anemia, kidney and brain damage, as well as learning disabilities and decreased growth. Ac...
Listen
Oversight of Automated Technology in Transportation from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Transportationâwhether it's planes, trains, boats or carsâis becoming more automated. While automated technology holds promiseâsuch as improving your ability to parallel parkârecent accide...
Listen
Actions Needed to Help Disaster Survivors Access FEMA Assistance Program from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Heavy hurricanes seasons in 2017 and 2018, along with devastating wildfires in California, affected more than 47 million people in the United States--about 15 percent of the national population. I...
Listen
Access and Quality Problems with Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
As the number of older Americans increases, so does the need for long term health services and supports. Medicaid is the nation's primary payer for long-term care. And because of how expensive it ...
Listen
Protecting Water and Wastewater Facilities that House Hazardous Chemicals from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Facilities that produce, use, or store hazardous chemicals can be dangerous to the communities where they are found, and could become targets of terrorists looking to inflict mass casualties and d...
Listen
Urgent Action Needed to Address the Threats to Federal Information Technology Supply Chains from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The federal government relies heavily on information and communication technology products and services to carry out day-to-day operations. This dependency has increased the complexity, diversity,...
Listen
Veterans' Care--Challenges in Accessing Community Care and Counseling Services from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The VA has taken steps to improve access to quality, timely health care. But veterans still report challenges in accessing this care. We talk with GAO's Debra Draper and Sharon Silas, two experts ...
Listen
NASA Human Space Exploration: Significant Investments in Figure Capabilities Required to Strengthen Management Oversight from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
NASA has plans to return American astronauts to the Moon by the end of 2024, However, the success of these plans depend on two upcoming test flights. GAO reviewed NASA's progress towards that firs...
Listen
Warhead Plans Could Be U.S.'s Most Expensive Nuclear Replacement Effort from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Introduced in 1979, the W78 nuclear warhead is the oldest weapon in the U.S. nuclear stockpile that has not undergone a major update or replacement. Replacing this warhead could end up being the m...
Listen
How Children's Savings Accounts Are Helping More Families Pay for College from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Rising college costs have outpaced federal grant aid, leading to concerns that a greater burden of costs are being borne by students and their families. This can also contribute to concerns about ...
Listen
Implementing a National Cybersecurity Strategy from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Increasingly-sophisticated cyberthreats have underscored the need to strengthen the federal government's role in protecting critical infrastructure. These threats pose serious challenges to our ec...
Listen
COVID-19's Impacts on the Aviation Industry and the Federal Effort to Help from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Because of COVID-19, U.S. passenger air carriers are in dire economic straits in need assistance to prevent layoffs and other impacts to their employees, as well as significant impacts to traveler...
Listen
The Federal Response to COVID-19 Could Be Strengthened by Timely Actions from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
In response to COVID-19, Congress and federal agencies have taken unprecedented steps to direct funding and federal assistance to individuals, businesses, and communities. However, despite these e...
Listen
The Critical Role of DOD's Electromagnetic Spectrum and the Strategy to Protect It from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of frequencies critical for communications, navigation, and more. This information could be simple things we use every day, like GPS devises. However, the...
Listen
USDA Assistance for Farmers Affected by Trade Disruptions and Tariffs from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its plans to assist farmers directly affected by trade disruptions and tariffs. These disruptions affected a variety of agricultural product...
Listen
Air Quality and the Technology Used to Monitor It from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
This year's wildfires on the West Coast--as well as those during previous years--have raised concerns about air quality, especially as these disasters grow in scale and number. Despite this, natio...
Listen
VA Police Use of Force at Medical Centers from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The Veterans Health Administration manages medical centers that provide millions of veterans with necessary care like mental health services, critical care, and physical therapy. VA police are sta...
Listen
The Declining Number of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings in CDC's Early Detection Program from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Early screening and detection for cancer can improve patients' outcomes and, ultimately, save lives. The CDC's Early Detection Program provides screenings to those enrolled in Medicaid. However, t...
Listen
The Use of Sanitization Inspections in Aircraft Galleys and Lavatories from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
These days, many people are worried about air travel, and whether it is safe in the time of COVID-19. But even before the pandemic, GAO was looking at the cleanliness of airplanes and sanitation p...
Listen
Urgent Actions Needed to Improve Federal Response to COVID-19 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
COVID-19 cases began to increase again in mid-September, further highlighting the federal government's role in responding to the pandemic's continuing and devastating impacts on public health and ...
Listen
How does Industry-Led Independent Research and Development Fit into DOD Planning? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Leveraging independent research and development projects conducted by the defense industry in high-tech areas, like cybersecurity and biotechnology, can help the U.S. military maintain battlefield...
Listen
Consumer Protection--When Banks Share Your Information with Other Vendors from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
If you've ever applied for a loan, you know that banks and credit unions collect a lot of personal financial information, like on your income and credit history. And it's not uncommon for customer...
Listen
The Benefits of Recycling Consumer Electronics from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Before you throw out your old smartphone, you might want to consider the benefits of recycling it. Consumer electronics like your old smartphone, contain critical materials such as gold, platinum,...
Listen
How the Consumer Product Safety Commission Protects Consumers from Hazards And How It Can Improve from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is a small agency of about 500 full-time employees tasked with protecting U.S. shoppers from product hazards that could cause injury or even death. We talk w...
Listen
Changes to FAA's Aviation Safety Enforcement Policies from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Air travel in the U.S. is one of the safest in the world. The Federal Aviation Administration--or FAA--helps ensure that safety by enforcing standards for air carriers, pilots, airports, and other...
Listen
Distance Learning Under COVID-19 Provides More Challenges for Students with Disabilities, English Language Learners from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Most of the nation's schools are closed to in-person learning as part of an effort to protect children from contracting COVID-19. However, in the scramble to keep kids safe, schools encountered lo...
Listen
Expanded Use of Facial Recognition Technology has Increased Privacy and Accuracy Concerns from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The use of facial recognition technology to identify an individual has increased in recent years--leading to growing concerns about how it impacts privacy, and how accurate it is. We discuss with ...
Listen
Using the Defense Production Act to Respond to COVID-19 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
COVID-19 continues to put severe strains on the U.S. health-care system--causing shortages in medical supplies meant to protect frontline workers and help save lives. In March, the President invok...
Listen
When Grandparents Become Caregivers for Children from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
When grandparents become the primary caregivers for children, they can face financial and other challenges. GAO's Kathy Larin discusses in todayâs Watchdog Report.
Listen
Defense Aircraft Mission Capable Rates Generally Did Not Meet Goals from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The Department of Defense spends tens of billions of dollars annually to sustain existing weapon systems in an effort to ensure these systems are ready for potential conflicts and other missions. ...
Listen
Federal Response to COVID-19 Challenged by Ongoing Supply Shortages, Vaccine Distribution Delays from 2021-01-28T09:55:40
U.S. COVID-related infections and deaths set alarming records in January, which further drew attention to delays in coronavirus-vaccine efforts and a need for better planning to address this evolv...
Listen
Federal Efforts to Curb the Financial Exploitation of Older Americans from 2021-01-21T09:57:50
The financial exploitation of seniors is a growing problem in the U.S. and is expected to continue to grow as the population of older Americans also increases. The Department of Health and Human S...
Listen
Protecting Critical Technologies Used in Military Weapons From Adversarial Threats from 2021-01-13T07:28:45
The Department of Defense spends billions of dollars every year developing high-tech weapons to maintain our battlefield superiority. Sometimes, we sell these weapons to our allies overseas in an ...
Listen