GAO Month in Review December 2007

About the Month in Review

The Month in Review is a comprehensive list of all reports, testimony, correspondence, and other publications issued by GAO during the previous month, grouped according to subject categories.

Top 10 list http://www.gao.gov/press/topten.html

Budget and Spending

Budget Issues: Accrual Budgeting Useful in Certain Areas but Does Not Provide Sufficient Information for Reporting on Our Nation's Longer-Term Fiscal Challenge: GAO-08-206, December 20, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 52 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Partnering for Progress--Working Together to Stregthen Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs): GAO-08-381CG, December 19, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 24 pages) Accessible Text

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Business, Industry, and Consumers

Bankruptcy: Implementation of Reform Act's Debt Reaffirmation Agreement Provisions: GAO-08-94, December 7, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 70 pages) Accessible Text

Digital Television Transition: Increased Federal Planning and Risk Management Could Further Facilitate the DTV Transition: GAO-08-43, November 19, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 54 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Telecommunications: Preliminary Information on Media Ownership: GAO-08-330R, December 14, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 11 pages) Accessible Text

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Economic Development

Natural Disasters: Public Policy Options for Changing the Federal Role in Natural Catastrophe Insurance: GAO-08-7, November 26, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 90 pages) Accessible Text

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Education

DOD Schools: Additional Reporting Could Improve Accountability for Academic Achievement of Students with Dyslexia: GAO-08-70, December 6, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 31 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Higher Education: Tuition Continues to Rise, but Patterns Vary by Institution Type, Enrollment, and Educational Expenditures: GAO-08-245, November 28, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 32 pages) Accessible Text

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Environmental Protection

Coastal Wetlands: Lessons Learned from Past Efforts in Louisiana Could Help Guide Future Restoration and Protection: GAO-08-130, December 14, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 62 pages) Accessible Text

Toxic Chemical Releases: EPA Actions Could Reduce Environmental Information Available to Many Communities: GAO-08-128, November 30, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 90 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Toxic Chemical Releases: Survey of State Toxics Release Inventory Coordinators (GAO-08-129SP), an E-supplement to GAO-08-128: GAO-08-129SP, November 30, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (HTML)

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Financial Institutions

Securities and Exchange Commission: Opportunities Exist to Improve Oversight of Self-Regulatory Organizations: GAO-08-33, November 15, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 73 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

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Financial Management

Agreed-Upon Procedures: Senate Office of Public Records Revolving Fund, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007: GAO-08-201R, December 7, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 7 pages) Accessible Text

America's Fiscal Future: GAO-08-339CG, December 5, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 49 pages) Accessible Text

DOD Travel Improper Payments: Fiscal Year 2006 Reporting Was Incomplete and Planned Improvement Efforts Face Challenges: GAO-08-16, December 14, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 45 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Fiscal and Health Care Challenges: GAO-08-338CG, December 5, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 34 pages) Accessible Text

Improper Payments: Weaknesses in USAID's and NASA's Implementation of the Improper Payments Information Act and Recovery Auditing: GAO-08-77, November 9, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 57 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Responses to Posthearing Questions Related to Improving Single Audit Quality: GAO-08-318R, December 7, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 8 pages) Accessible Text

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Government Operations

A Call For Stewardship: Enhancing the Federal Government's Ability to Address Key Fiscal and Other 21st Century Challenges: GAO-08-93SP, December 17, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 40 pages) Accessible Text

A Call for Stewardship: GAO-08-371CG, December 17, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 10 pages) Accessible Text

Continuity of Operations: Selected Agencies Tested Various Capabilities during 2006 Governmentwide Exercise: GAO-08-185, November 19, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 67 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Organizational Transformation: Implementing Chief Operating Officer/Chief Management Officer Positions in Federal Agencies: GAO-08-322T, December 13, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 20 pages) Accessible Text

Organizational Transformation: Implementing Chief Operating Officer/Chief Management Officer Positions in Federal Agencies: GAO-08-34, November 1, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 58 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Postal Service and Mailing Industry Mail-Related Recycling: Accomplishments and Postal Opportunities--Interim Results: GAO-08-348R, December 20, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 37 pages) Accessible Text

Saving Our Future Requires Tough Choices Today: GAO-08-353CG, December 6, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 18 pages) Accessible Text

Saving Our Future Requires Tough Choices Today: GAO-08-337CG, December 3, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 18 pages) Accessible Text

Smithsonian Institution: Status of Efforts to Address a Range of Funding and Governance Challenges: GAO-08-250T, December 12, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 32 pages) Accessible Text

U.S. Postal Service Facilities: Improvements in Data Would Strengthen Maintenance and Alignment of Access to Retail Services: GAO-08-41, December 10, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 66 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

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Health

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Internal Control Deficiencies Resulted in Millions of Dollars of Questionable Contract Payments: GAO-08-54, November 15, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 74 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Indian Health Service: HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Services for American Indians and Alaska Natives: GAO-08-90, December 14, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 37 pages) Accessible Text

State Children's Health Insurance Program: Program Structure, Enrollment and Expenditure Experiences, and Outreach Approaches for States That Cover Adults: GAO-08-50, November 26, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 50 pages) Accessible Text

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Homeland Security

Plum Island Animal Disease Center: DHS Has Made Significant Progress Implementing Security Recommendations, but Several Recommendations Remain Open: GAO-08-306R, December 17, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 15 pages) Accessible Text

Transportation Security Administration's Processes for Designating and Releasing Sensitive Security Information: GAO-08-232R, November 30, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 24 pages) Accessible Text

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Income Security

Private Pensions: Low Defined Contribution Plan Savings May Pose Challenges to Retirement Security, Especially for Many Low-Income Workers: GAO-08-8, November 29, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 65 pages) Accessible Text

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Information Management

Information Technology: Census Bureau Needs to Improve Its Risk Management of Decennial Systems: GAO-08-259T, December 11, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 28 pages) Accessible Text

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International Affairs

Economic Sanctions: Agencies Face Competing Priorities in Enforcing the U.S. Embargo on Cuba: GAO-08-80, November 30, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 96 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

International Trade: An Analysis of Free Trade Agreements and Congressional and Private Sector Consultations under Trade Promotion Authority: GAO-08-59, November 7, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 97 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Rebuilding Iraq: International Donor Pledges for Reconstruction Efforts in Iraq: GAO-08-365R, December 18, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 7 pages) Accessible Text

Stabilization and Reconstruction: Actions Are Needed to Develop a Planning and Coordination Framework and Establish the Civilian Reserve Corps: GAO-08-39, November 6, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 60 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo: Systematic Assessment Is Needed to Determine Agencies' Progress toward U.S. Policy Objectives: GAO-08-188, December 14, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 45 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

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National Defense

Defense Acquisitions: Status of the Expeditionary Fire Support System: GAO-08-331R, December 21, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 13 pages) Accessible Text

Force Structure: Better Management Controls Are Needed to Oversee the Army's Modular Force and Expansion Initiatives and Improve Accountability for Results: GAO-08-145, December 14, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 47 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Military Base Realignments and Closures: Cost Estimates Have Increased and Are Likely to Continue to Evolve: GAO-08-159, December 11, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 69 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Military Base Realignments and Closures: Estimated Costs Have Increased and Estimated Savings Have Decreased: GAO-08-341T, December 12, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 28 pages) Accessible Text

Military Base Realignments and Closures: Impact of Terminating, Relocating, or Outsourcing the Services of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology: GAO-08-20, November 9, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 59 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Military Health Care: Cost Data Indicate That TRICARE Reserve Select Premiums Exceeded the Costs of Providing Program Benefits: GAO-08-104, December 21, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 39 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Operation Iraqi Freedom: DOD Assessment of Iraqi Security Forces' Units as Independent Not Clear Because ISF Support Capabilities Are Not Fully Developed: GAO-08-143R, November 30, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 33 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

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Tax Policy and Administration

Tax Administration: 2007 Filing Season Continues Trend of Improvement, but Opportunities to Reduce Costs and Increase Tax Compliance Should be Evaluated: GAO-08-38, November 15, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 50 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Tax Administration: Costs and Uses of Third-Party Information Returns: GAO-08-266, November 20, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 71 pages) Accessible Text

Tax Compliance: Federal Grant and Direct Assistance Recipients Who Abuse the Federal Tax System: GAO-08-31, November 16, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 35 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Tax Compliance: Some Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Disaster Assistance Recipients Have Unpaid Federal Taxes: GAO-08-101R, November 16, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 13 pages) Accessible Text

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Transportation

Air Traffic Control: FAA Reports Progress in System Acquisitions, but Changes in Performance Measurement Could Improve Usefulness of Information: GAO-08-42, December 18, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 38 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Aviation Runway and Ramp Safety: Sustained Efforts to Address Leadership, Technology, and Other Challenges Needed to Reduce Accidents and Incidents: GAO-08-29, November 20, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 92 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Maritime Transportation: Major Oil Spills Occur Infrequently, but Risks Remain: GAO-08-357T, December 18, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 33 pages) Accessible Text

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Veterans Affairs

Department of Veterans Affairs: Actions Needed to Strengthen VA's Foreclosed Property Management Contractor Oversight: GAO-08-60, November 15, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 63 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Rental Housing: Information on Low-Income Veterans' Housing Conditions and Participation in HUD's Programs: GAO-08-324T, December 5, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 27 pages) Accessible Text

VA Health Care: Many Medical Facilities Have Challenges in Recruiting and Retaining Nurse Anesthetists: GAO-08-56, December 13, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 64 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Veterans' Benefits: Improved Operational Controls and Management Data Would Enhance VBA's Disability Reevaluation Process: GAO-08-75, December 6, 2007; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 23 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

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Legal Products: Decisions and Opinions

Blane International Group, Inc.: B-310329, December 13, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 5 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Cornell Companies, Inc.: B-310548, December 3, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 5 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Department of Energy-Report of Antideficiency Act Violation: B-308715, November 13, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 4 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc.: B-310136, November 26, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 7 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

GAO Bid Protest Annual Report to the Congress for Fiscal Year 2007: GAO-08-247R, December 10, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 2 pages)

Global Solutions Network, Inc.: B-298682.2, December 10, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 3 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

ITT Industries Space Systems, LLC: B-309964; B-309964.2, November 9, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 15 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

KAR Contracting, LLC: B-310454; B-310537, December 19, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 7 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Nilson Van & Storage, Inc.: B-310485, December 10, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 5 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

No-Cost Contracts for Event Planning Services: B-308968, November 27, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 6 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Qualicon Corporation: B-309989.2, December 3, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 3 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

RKR Joint Venture, LLC--Costs: B-299856.2, December 7, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 4 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

SAGE Systems Technologies, LLC: B-310155, November 29, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 4 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Safety Storage, Inc.: B-299901.2, December 3, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 4 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Savantage Financial Services, Inc.: B-299798; B-299798.3, August 22, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 12 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

United States Capitol Police--Cost of Living Payments: B-310004, December 3, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 6 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

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Legal Products: Federal Agency Major Rules

Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation: Milk Income Loss Contract Program: GAO-08-363R, December 21, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages: GAO-08-358R, December 17, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Department of Education: Federal Perkins Loan Program, Federal Family Education Loan Program, and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program: GAO-08-293R, December 6, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Department of Energy: Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Furnaces and Boilers: GAO-08-356R, December 19, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicaid Program; Optional State Plan Case Management Services: GAO-08-378R, December 19, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program: Changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and CY 2008 Payment Rates, the Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System and CY 2008 Payment Rates, the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System and FY 2008 Payment Rates; and Payments for Graduate Medical Education for Affiliated Teaching Hospitals in Certain Emergency Situations: GAO-08-309R, December 12, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 6 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule, and Other Part B Payment Policies for CY 2008; Revisions to the Payment Policies of the Ambulance Services Under the Ambulance Fee Schedule for CY 2008; and the Amendment of the E-Prescribing Exemption for Computer Generated Facsimile Transmissions: GAO-08-308R, December 12, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Department of Labor; Employee Benefits Security Administration: Annual Reporting and Disclosure: GAO-08-310R, December 10, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Department of the Treasury, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; Federal Reserve System; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Department of the Treasury, Office of Thrift Supervision: Risk-Based Capital Standards: Advanced Capital Adequacy Framework--Basel II: GAO-08-362R, December 21, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Occupational Dose Records, Labeling Containers, and the Total Effective Dose Equivalent: GAO-08-332R, December 17, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Securities and Exchange Commission: Revisions to Rules 144 and 145: GAO-08-376R, December 28, 2007; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

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