“With the support of our oversight partners, this Blueprint chapter demonstrates to policymakers how analytics and insights from the pandemic can help them better protect the integrity of federal programs, safeguard taxpayer dollars from fraud, and ensure federal spending reaches those it is intended to assist.”
—PRAC Chair Michael E. Horowitz
What we've learned in pandemic oversight:
Through comprehensive oversight of pandemic relief programs, we know it’s critical to strengthen government programs with internal controls that balance swiftly providing money and services to recipients with preventing and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse prior to releasing funds.
Our Blueprint for Enhanced Program Integrity is a resource guide from the oversight community and federal agencies that outlines key elements to strong government programs, such as implementing a data-centric approach.
Chapter one of the Blueprint outlined lessons learned from the pandemic that can help program administrators develop and implement programs with strong internal controls.
Chapter two of the Blueprint for Enhanced Program Integrity:
Chapter two highlights suggestions for legislators and regulators to consider when drafting legislation and policy for both emergency and regularly appropriated funding.
These include: ✔️ Establish a central data analytics center to remove barriers to data access and collection
✔️ Enhance administrative remedies and expand authorities for Offices of Inspectors General to enable a more agile, effective response to oversight demands
✔️ Amend legislation to require internal controls and define outcomes of funding to fight fraud and reduce improper payments
The way forward:
It’s critical that policymakers draft legislation and policy that help prevent and detect fraud and improper payments in federal programs to ensure money gets in the hands of those in need.
These guidelines for strengthening programs are based on lessons learned by the oversight community and can be applied by policymakers to both emergency and non-emergency funding.
Check out chapter two of the Blueprint to learn how policymakers can help build stronger government programs.
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