"The fact is that too many government programs remain vulnerable to outright fraud," said Senator Collins. "Wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars is never acceptable, but it is particularly unacceptable when we face pressing needs in health care, education, and homeland security."
This year's report found 25 high-risk areas in the federal government — however only four of the areas or programs are new to the survey. The remaining areas have been included on the list in the past; some areas have been listed since the GAO began its "High-Risk Series Report" in 1990.
"It is troubling that the high risk list is growing – from 14 programs in 1990, to 22 programs in 2001, to 25 programs this year. As chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, Congress' principal oversight committee, I will work to turn these high risk programs around. Solutions to high-risk problems offer the potential to save tax payers billions of dollars, to greatly improve service to the American people, to improve the accountability of federal managers, and ensure the ability of government to deliver on its promises."
The Medicare program has been listed as a high-risk program since 1990. While GAO found that progress has been made to lessen the potential for Medicare fraud, vulnerabilities remain. Collins announced that she would hold hearings to tackle the problems within the Medicare program fist. In addition, she expressed concern that the new Department of Homeland Security was also listed in this year's report.
"It will be vital to keep close watch on the implementation of this program because of its vast size and its critical mission of safeguarding our national security," Collins said.
The other programs listed in the 2003 report include: • Department of Homeland Security
• Modernizing Federal Disability Programs
• Federal Real Property
• Strategic Human Capital Management
• U.S. Postal Service: Transformation Efforts and Long-Term Outlook
• Protecting Information Systems
• FAA Air Traffic Control Modernization
• IRS Business Systems Modernization
• DOD Systems Modernization
• DOD Financial Management
• Forest Service Financial Management
• FAA Financial Management
• IRS Financial Management
• Medicare Program
• Earned Income Credit Noncompliance
• Collection of Unpaid Taxes
• DOD Support Infrastructure Management
• DOD Inventory Management
• HUD Single-Family Mortgage Insurance and Rental Housing Assistance Programs
• Student Financial Aid Programs
• DOD Weapon Systems Acquisition
• DOD Contract Management
• Department of Energy Contract Management
• NASA Contract Management
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