New agency leaders can better confront the problem of federal improper payments by focusing on prevention and leveraging more strategic, data-driven approaches. This paper is one of MITRE's contributions to the Partnership for Public Service collection.
Federal Improper Payments: A Trillion-Dollar Drain on Government Programs
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Unless government decision-makers move urgently to address the problem of improper payments, agency budgets will continue to hemorrhage—restricting spending options, adding to the federal debt, enriching criminals, and undermining public confidence. New agency leaders can better confront the problem by intentionally focusing on prevention and by leveraging more strategic, data-driven approaches. This paper addresses these issues.
Note: Transition of power after a Presidential election is complicated; preparing the federal government for a seamless shift to a new administration is crucial to continuing important work on behalf of the American people. MITRE will inform this transition by sharing our insights and experiences with those involved in transition planning and with leaders in the next administration. Our recommendations derive from the ongoing, practical guidance we provide our federal agency sponsors as they face critical national challenges.
This paper is part of a collection provided to our government sponsors; it supports MITRE’s focus on assisting new administration and career civil service leaders through the transition and beyond to achieve results that matter. To view all the papers in the collection, use the "Federal Transition" link in Topics, above.