Shock Report: Feds Lost $115 Billion In ‘Overpayments’ Last Year
- Posted on February 7, 2012 at 4:53pm by
Becket Adams
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A stunning new report reveals that the federal government made $115 billion in improper “overpayments” last year, according to Paul Bedard of The Washington Examiner.
What’s worse is the fact that lawmakers think that is just a small fraction of what the federal government loses every year.
Perhaps less shocking than the amount overpaid is where the “improper payments” are being made: about half to Medicare and Medicaid programs, with other portions to departments like Defense and unemployment insurance.
“Remarkably, though, it could have been worse,” writes Bedard. “Through a program they call the Campaign to Cut Waste, the Obama administration slashed $20 billion in additional overpayments that were scheduled to be paid out.”
A House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee has opened a probe into federal misspending.
According to Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA), chair of the subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency and Financial Management, it all comes down to “bad management.”
Rep. Platts says that the $115 billion cited by the administration “is only an estimate; the total amount of improper payments is unknown.”
Are there any suggestions on how to fix this?
“In a memo provided to Washington Secrets, the committee suggested that one answer is legislation proposed by Sen. Tom Carper…that establishes a ‘Do Not Pay’ list that would require agencies to check databases, including death lists, before issuing federal checks,” Bedard reports.
Well, at least it’s a start.
“Billions of taxpayer dollars are misspent every year through improper payments. The administration and agency leaders have made significant efforts to reduce improper payments and their work is both important and commendable,” Rep. Platts said.
“However, we need more solutions to better protect taxpayer money.”
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Comments (36)
CulperGang
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 11:56amthey st nothing. it is misapropriated to private accounts. rmember this 4/15. national sales tax would put the power of $ in the hands of those that earned it.
Report Post »FreeUsAll
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 10:53amcomments
Report Post »FreeUsAll
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 10:51amI have a solution as to how this can be fixed, albeit a simple one: slash the federal government Ron Paul style.
Report Post »Hollywood
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 3:31pmWHat the heck. Just WHAT is going on here. That is almost 240 Solyndra’s. Can’t they be more efficient than this. FOR SHAME! Get Biden on this RIGHT NOW!
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 4:21pmRP 2012!
Report Post »Accept no substitutes.
Manfromva
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 7:03amJust another reason for a national sales tax
Report Post »Arc
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:21amI think I’ll e-mail my congressman and ask him what he plans to do about this unknown expenditure.
Report Post »David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:56amComment, I did not need it, you are welcome.
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 12:00amIsn‘t hat one of OBOZO’s campaign slogans — “It could be a lot worse!!!!!!!”?
Report Post »Bruce01
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 9:19pmJust imagin if we all paid our fair share! They would have additional billions to misappropriate to the special interests. As I look ahead to my estimate tax payment coming up in April plus my additional payment for 2011 it makes blood shoot from my eyes! Just think of the charities this could help. This clown has to Go!
Report Post »SaveAmerica12
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 7:52pmSo, who is going to lose their job over this?
Report Post »The Jewish Avenger
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 8:55pmKnowing the left…
Report Post »We are…
suz
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 7:40pmyeah, it always could have been worse. that’s where these guys are — always wanting you to think if it wasn’t for them our lives would suck.
fact is, if it wasn’t for them, our lives would be SO MUCH BETTER!
Report Post »FANGS
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 7:35pmObama is in charge of the scam. He taught Acorn everything they need to know about how to steal federal taxpayer money. Get rid of all Democrats and the #’s will balance.
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 7:30pm“We are going to clean up the swamp” Pelosi
Report Post »“We’ll cut medicare fraud to pay for health insurance” Obama
“We will have the most transparent government” Obama
TexBork
Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:55pmYep, all that from the socialist party that tells us we aren‘t allowed to know what’s in a bill until they’ve passed it against us. Although they also tell us that all their control over our lives is for our own good, supposedly.
Report Post »ShyLow
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 7:29pmThey can‘t waste what they don’t get…The ten percent plan keeps most money local and abolishes the I.R.S. A ten percent sells tax collected by each county…county keeps 90 percent,gives the state 10 percent,the State then keeps 90% of what it gets then gives the federal the remaining 10%…the current system is going to crash.If anyone has a better solution,I would like to hear it
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 7:27pmcomments
Report Post »gretsch62
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 6:47pmThe Naked Emperor just “Flip Flopping Away”!
Report Post »girlnurse
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 6:12pmGo ahead Chris Rock and Michael Moore and whoever else wants to “give more” to the government….you go right ahead
Report Post »sndrman
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 6:01pmit’s not my(gov’t saying) money…there is always alots more where that money comes from(so called 1%)….why cut down on waste and live on less when you can get useful idiots the owies kids to cause problems and stand for something wait a minute what do the owies kids stand for?When the TEA asked HEY O’Kenyan PLEASE STOP SPENDING MONEY AND LIVE WITHIN THE BUDGET what did the prez say?16 trillion is not enough spent……
Report Post »weneedrubio
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 6:01pmThere are two reasons that I do not want my taxes raised and this is one, waste leads to cynicism which leads to corruption. The other is money thrown away growing entitlement programs which grows the entitlement mentality which multiplys the destructive effects of unethical, immoral behavior.
Report Post »We need to cut the government by 75%, period.
TexBork
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 5:43pmIt‘s Bush’s fault.
Report Post »mccracken
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 6:05pmIt’s your fault.
Report Post »KITCAT
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 5:40pmOh my Government Waste Surprise Surprise
Report Post »loveliberty83
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 5:37pmnotice they alwats blame medicare & medicaid what about all their friends some stupid research etc
Report Post »Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 5:28pmlooks like MF Global.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 5:21pmThieves, nothing more nothing less than just thieves in Washington! God help us!
Report Post »geonj
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 5:15pmlet’s start by cutting the number of federal employees. every administration leaves a number of employees behind when they leave office. either put a moritorium on new hires or make the older employees leave with outgoing administrations.i would question the 115 billion dollar amount. some of these departments don’t get that much money.
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 5:32pmPaying taxes makes me feel like the victim of a crime …
The federal government is truly the enemy of the American people
Report Post »Buck Shane
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 5:06pmThey take your money at gunpoint, and waste it.
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