Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
Featured Stories
VA IG: Review of the Availability of Community Care Breast Images and Impact to Surgical Care at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System in Aurora
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Veterans Affairs Inspector General issued the following report (No. 25-02420-118) on May 21, 2026 entitled "Review of the Availability of Community Care Breast Images and Impact to Surgical Care at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System in Aurora."
Here is the executive summary:
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The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated a healthcare inspection on May 8, 2025, to evaluate allegations related to the availability of breast images from community providers and potential impact on patient care at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (facility)
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WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Veterans Affairs Inspector General issued the following report (No. 25-02420-118) on May 21, 2026 entitled "Review of the Availability of Community Care Breast Images and Impact to Surgical Care at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System in Aurora."
Here is the executive summary:
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The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated a healthcare inspection on May 8, 2025, to evaluate allegations related to the availability of breast images from community providers and potential impact on patient care at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (facility)in Aurora, Colorado. A site visit was conducted from June 10 through 12, 2025, followed by virtual interviews from June 17 through September 11, 2025.
The OIG found deficiencies in the availability of breast images needed by facility providers for coordination of patient care, processes for tracking breast cancer screening and follow-up, and processes for credentialing and privileging a new mammographer.
Availability of Breast Images for Coordination of Patient Care
In February 2024, the facility's sole radiologist with specialization in mammography (mammographer) left the facility, resulting in the loss of American College of Radiology mammography accreditation and closure of the facility's in-house mammography program.2 The closure of the facility's in-house mammography program resulted in all patients requiring breast imaging being referred to community care.3
The OIG substantiated that delayed receipt of images from community care providers, and delayed uploading of images by facility staff once the images were received, did not ensure timely availability of breast images for facility providers to coordinate patient care. The OIG determined that several factors contributed to the delayed availability of breast images, including community providers not routinely sending breast images with reports, facility community care staff not following medical record request processes, facility backlogs of images to be uploaded, and limitations of VA technology systems.
Tracking of Breast Cancer Screening and Follow-Up
The OIG found that the facility lacked detailed guidance regarding required women's health tracking processes, and that facility primary care staff had not fully implemented processes to identify and notify patients due for breast cancer screening.
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive 1330.01(7), Health Care Services for Women Veterans, requires that all facilities have a process to track breast cancer screening and follow-up, including notification of patients who are due for screening, completion of screening, reporting of results, and follow-up care.
While patients' care is managed through their primary care team, facility policy 11B-1, Breast Cancer Screening, requires that women's health program staff maintain a system for tracking abnormal mammography results. However, the OIG determined that the facility's existing policy and standard operating procedures (SOPs) lacked sufficient guidance on women's health tracking responsibilities. Additionally, the facility did not establish a mammography coordinator position until 2025, despite allocating responsibilities to that role in policy in 2019.
The OIG learned the facility's primary care service established an SOP in February 2025, outlining a process for primary care registered nurse case managers to track and coordinate care for patients due for breast cancer screening. However, reported barriers to full implementation included inaccurate and incomplete reports used to identify patients, as well as understaffing.
Credentialing and Privileging of a New Mammographer
The OIG found that the facility credentialing and privileging staff and interim chief of radiology did not sufficiently verify the new mammographer's specialty training credentials, did not complete a review of supporting documentation during the new mammographer's credentialing and privileging process, and did not initiate the required focused professional practice evaluation timely, potentially delaying the processes required to reopen the facility's in-house mammography program and posing risk for patient harm.
As of January 2026, the facility had not reestablished mammography program accreditation in accordance with VHA Directive 1043, Restructuring of VHA Clinical Programs, or resumed provision of breast imaging services.
The OIG made two recommendations to the Under Secretary for Health related to ensuring community providers' understanding of expectations and processes for provision of breast images and reviewing limitations of current VA image sharing technologies and considering implementation of technologies to support timely availability of images with community providers.
The OIG made seven recommendations to the Facility Director related to community care medical record request processes, processes for timely receipt and uploading of community care images, facility guidance and resources for tracking breast cancer screening and follow-up, ensuring patients with abnormal breast imaging findings receive appropriate notification and timely follow-up, and ensuring compliance with required credentialing and privileging processes.
The OIG is aware of VA's transformation in VHA's management structure. The OIG will monitor implementation and focus its oversight efforts on the effectiveness and efficiencies of programs and services that improve the health and welfare of veterans and their families.
VA Comments and OIG Response
The Under Secretary for Health and the Veterans Integrated Service Network and Facility Directors concurred with recommendations 2-9 and concurred in principle with recommendation 1. Acceptable action plans were provided (see appendixes A, B, and C). Based on information provided, the OIG considers recommendation 4 closed. For the remaining open recommendations, the OIG will follow up on the planned and recently implemented actions to ensure that they have been effective and sustained.
The Under Secretary for Health reported plans to communicate expectations for community care providers sending breast images and actions taken to develop an enterprise strategy to standardize and modernize image sharing. The Facility Director outlined plans to address timely requests, receipt, and uploading of imaging; breast cancer screening and care coordination processes; and credentialing and privileging processes.
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The report is posted at: https://www.vaoig.gov/reports/hotline-healthcare-inspection/review-availability-community-care-breast-images-and-impact
VA IG: Mental Health Inspection of the VA Milwaukee Healthcare System in Wisconsin
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Veterans Affairs Inspector General issued the following report (No. 25-00731-115) on May 19, 2026 entitled "Mental Health Inspection of the VA Milwaukee Healthcare System in Wisconsin."
Here is the executive summary:
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The mission of the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) Mental Health Inspection Program is to evaluate VA's continuum of mental healthcare services. On July 7, 2025, the OIG announced an inspection to address the mental health care delivered in the acute mental health inpatient unit (inpatient unit) at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical
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WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Veterans Affairs Inspector General issued the following report (No. 25-00731-115) on May 19, 2026 entitled "Mental Health Inspection of the VA Milwaukee Healthcare System in Wisconsin."
Here is the executive summary:
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The mission of the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) Mental Health Inspection Program is to evaluate VA's continuum of mental healthcare services. On July 7, 2025, the OIG announced an inspection to address the mental health care delivered in the acute mental health inpatient unit (inpatient unit) at the Clement J. Zablocki VA MedicalCenter (facility). The facility is part of the VA Milwaukee Healthcare System in Wisconsin. The OIG conducted inspection activities from July 7 through 30, 2025, and completed the on-site portion of the inspection from July 22 through 24, 2025. At the conclusion of the on-site visit, the OIG team provided the Facility Executive Director with preliminary findings and observations from the inspection.
The OIG evaluated acute inpatient mental health care across five domains. The OIG assessed processes in each of the domains and identified successes and challenges that affected the provision of the quality of care provided on the inpatient unit. Seven recommendations were issued to facility leaders.
The OIG is aware of VA's transformation in the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) management structure. The OIG will monitor implementation and focus its oversight efforts on the effectiveness and efficiencies of programs and services that improve the health and welfare of veterans and their families.
For background information on each domain, see appendix A. For information on the OIG's data collection methods, see appendix B.
Domain OIG Summary
Leadership and Organizational Culture
The OIG looked at reporting channels, committee structures, staffing practices, and oversight and monitoring provided by leaders.
The OIG observed that the facility had a unique organizational structure, including two Co-Division Managers who functioned as the chiefs of mental health, two inpatient mental health co-program managers, and a consultative and non-supervisory Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health. The OIG found that the Mental Health Executive Council did not include veteran representation required under VHA Directive 1160.01, Uniform Mental Health Services in VHA Medical Points of Service.
Recovery-Oriented Principles
To assess the inpatient unit's integration of recovery-oriented principles, the OIG examined aspects of leadership, treatment planning, therapeutic and interdisciplinary programming, and the care environment.
Clinical Care Coordination
To assess the quality of clinical care coordination, the OIG reviewed access to services, facility procedures for involuntary treatment, interdisciplinary treatment planning, medication management, and discharge planning.
Staff did not document veterans' legal commitment statuses as detailed in VHA's policy "VA Approved Enterprise Standard (VAAES) Nursing Admission Screen, Assessment, and Standards of Care Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)."
Staff also did not document medication risks and benefits discussions, as required by VHA Directive 1004.01(3), Informed Consent for Clinical Treatments and Procedures. Additionally, most discharge instructions were not written in easy-to-understand language and did not include the reason for prescribed medications.
Suicide Prevention
To evaluate suicide prevention activities on the inpatient unit, the OIG reviewed compliance with required suicide risk screening and evaluation, safety planning, and training.
The OIG found that not all staff completed the VA S.A.V.E. (signs of suicide, asking about suicide, validating feelings, and encouraging help and expediting treatment) training required by VHA Directive 1071(1), Mandatory Suicide Risk and Intervention Training.
Safety
The OIG evaluated aspects of safety, compliance with ongoing assessment of suicide hazards, and completion of mandatory staff training.
While the facility recorded Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist inspection attendance, the suicide prevention coordinator did not attend consistently. During the on-site inspection, the OIG identified a ligature risk in the telephone booth that the chief engineer resolved the same day. Some inpatient unit staff did not complete the annual training required under VHA Directive 1167, Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist for Mental Health Units Treating Suicidal Patients.
VA Comments and OIG Response
The Veterans Integrated Service Network and Facility Directors concurred with recommendations 1-7 and the Facility Director provided action plans (see appendix E). Based on the information provided, the OIG considers recommendation 1 closed. For the remaining open recommendations, the OIG will follow up on the identified actions to ensure that they have been implemented and sustained.
The Facility Director reported that mental health staff began using the correct admission screening note and reviewing documentation of veterans' legal status. Facility leaders committed to ensuring documentation of informed consent discussions and discharge instructions are written with easy-to-understand language. Additionally, the Facility Director reported plans to ensure staff complete suicide prevention and safety training and attend mental health environment of care inspections, as required.
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The report is posted at: https://www.vaoig.gov/reports/mental-health-inspection-program/mental-health-inspection-va-milwaukee-healthcare-system
U.S. Blockade of Iran Reaches Milestone of Redirecting 100 Ships
TAMPA, Florida, May 23 -- The U.S. Central Command issued the following news release:
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U.S. Blockade of Iran Reaches Milestone of Redirecting 100 Ships
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TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces reached the milestone of redirecting 100 commercial vessels, May 23, while enforcing a maritime blockade against Iran.
American forces began implementing the blockade April 13 against commercial ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, in accordance with a presidential proclamation. Over the past six weeks, more than 15,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen have redirected 100
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TAMPA, Florida, May 23 -- The U.S. Central Command issued the following news release:
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U.S. Blockade of Iran Reaches Milestone of Redirecting 100 Ships
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TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces reached the milestone of redirecting 100 commercial vessels, May 23, while enforcing a maritime blockade against Iran.
American forces began implementing the blockade April 13 against commercial ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, in accordance with a presidential proclamation. Over the past six weeks, more than 15,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen have redirected 100vessels, disabled four, and allowed 26 humanitarian aid ships to pass.
"Our service members are doing extraordinary work," said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. "They have been highly effective by executing the mission with precision and professionalism, allowing zero trade into and out of Iranian ports which has squeezed Iran economically."
More than U.S. 200 aircraft and warships are supporting the mission, including the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group/31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and multiple guided-missile destroyers.
The blockade is being enforced against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
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Original text here: https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4499878/us-blockade-of-iran-reaches-milestone-of-redirecting-100-ships/
Justice IG: Investigative Summary: Findings of Misconduct by a Former Federal Bureau of Prisons Office Chief for Violating Policy Regarding Pilot Initiatives
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Justice Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 26-053) on May 14, 2026 entitled "Investigative Summary: Findings of Misconduct by a Former Federal Bureau of Prisons Office Chief for Violating Policy Regarding Pilot Initiatives":
Here is the summary:
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation after receiving information from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) relating to a contract for a pilot project that required the installation of equipment at a BOP facility. The OIG investigation
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Justice Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 26-053) on May 14, 2026 entitled "Investigative Summary: Findings of Misconduct by a Former Federal Bureau of Prisons Office Chief for Violating Policy Regarding Pilot Initiatives":
Here is the summary:
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation after receiving information from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) relating to a contract for a pilot project that required the installation of equipment at a BOP facility. The OIG investigationfound that the former BOP Office Chief who executed the contract violated the BOP's policy regarding Pilot Initiatives by not completing required paperwork and receiving required endorsements for the project.
The former BOP Office Chief retired from the BOP prior to being contacted by the OIG for an interview. When contacted by the OIG for a voluntary interview, the former BOP Office Chief declined to be interviewed. The OIG has the authority to compel testimony from current Department employees upon informing them that their statements will not be used to incriminate them in a criminal proceeding. The OIG does not have the authority to compel or subpoena testimony from former Department employees, including those who retire or resign during an OIG investigation.
The OIG has completed its investigation and has provided its report to the BOP.
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View full report at: https://oig.justice.gov/reports/investigative-summary-findings-misconduct-former-federal-bureau-prisons-office-chief
HHS IG: Most Nursing Homes Throughout the United States Do Not Have Adequate or Reliable Emergency Power Systems
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following report (No. A-02-23-01022) on April 28, 2026 entitled "Most Nursing Homes Throughout the United States Do Not Have Adequate or Reliable Emergency Power Systems" filed under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services:
Here are excerpts:
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Why OIG Did This Audit
During Hurricane Ida, seven nursing home residents in Louisiana died in unsafe and unsanitary conditions after nursing homes evacuated residents into an overcrowded warehouse after reports of massive power outages throughout the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following report (No. A-02-23-01022) on April 28, 2026 entitled "Most Nursing Homes Throughout the United States Do Not Have Adequate or Reliable Emergency Power Systems" filed under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services:
Here are excerpts:
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Why OIG Did This Audit
During Hurricane Ida, seven nursing home residents in Louisiana died in unsafe and unsanitary conditions after nursing homes evacuated residents into an overcrowded warehouse after reports of massive power outages throughout theState. During Winter Storm Uri, 118 nursing homes in Texas lost power and residents from many of the nursing homes had to be evacuated.
This audit assessed the reliability and adequacy of emergency power systems in nursing homes throughout the United States that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
What OIG Found
We identified emergency power system deficiencies at 72 of the 100 sampled nursing homes that we audited. These 72 nursing homes had a total of 119 deficiencies. These deficiencies occurred because of inadequate nursing home resources and frequent management and staff turnover.
On the basis of our sample results, we estimated that for the 15,115 nursing homes throughout the United States, 10,983 (73 percent) nursing homes have inadequate or unreliable emergency power systems. Specifically, we estimated that 7,967 (53 percent) nursing homes have inadequate generator maintenance, 5,869 (39 percent) nursing homes have generators with inadequate circuit coverage, and 1,447 (10 percent) nursing homes have generators 40 years of age or older.
As a result of the identified deficiencies, residents, staff, and visitors at these nursing homes are at an increased risk of injury or death during a power failure.
What OIG Recommends
We recommend that CMS share the results of this report with nursing homes and emphasize the importance of having adequate and reliable emergency power systems.
CMS concurred with our recommendation.
Recommendation Details (1)
26-A-02-064.01 to CMS - Open Unimplemented
Update expected on 10/27/2026
We recommend that CMS share the results of this report with nursing homes and emphasize the importance of having adequate and reliable emergency power systems.
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The report is posted at: https://oig.hhs.gov/reports/all/2026/most-nursing-homes-throughout-the-united-states-do-not-have-adequate-or-reliable-emergency-power-systems/
HHS IG: CMS Could Strengthen Medicare Program Safeguards To Prevent and Detect Potentially Improper Payments for Virtual Check-in and E-visit Services
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following report (No. A-05-23-00001) on April 23, 2026 entitled "CMS Could Strengthen Medicare Program Safeguards To Prevent and Detect Potentially Improper Payments for Virtual Check-in and E-visit Services" filed under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services:
Here are excerpts:
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Why OIG Did This Audit
CMS has sought to improve access to virtual care by introducing communication technology-based services, such as virtual check-in services and electronic visit services (e-visits). One of the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following report (No. A-05-23-00001) on April 23, 2026 entitled "CMS Could Strengthen Medicare Program Safeguards To Prevent and Detect Potentially Improper Payments for Virtual Check-in and E-visit Services" filed under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services:
Here are excerpts:
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Why OIG Did This Audit
CMS has sought to improve access to virtual care by introducing communication technology-based services, such as virtual check-in services and electronic visit services (e-visits). One of thebenefits of virtual care is the ability to provide services to Medicare enrollees when access to in-person care is limited.
We conducted this audit to determine whether there are vulnerabilities that might result in improper payments for virtual care services and opportunities to reduce the risk of improper payments.
What OIG Found
CMS paid providers for virtual check-in and e-visit services during our audit period that may not have complied with Medicare requirements. Specifically:
CMS made $1,964,125 in potential improper payments for 173,287 virtual check-in services that occurred within 7 days after or 24 hours (1 day) prior to an evaluation and management (E/M) service having the same diagnosis code for the same enrollee. Of these, 120,316 E/M services were also billed and paid with an unnecessary modifier.
CMS made $298,200 in potential improper payments for 10,237 e-visit services because the services were provided within 7 days of another e-visit having the same diagnosis code for the same enrollee.
Medicare made potentially unallowable payments to providers for virtual check-ins and e-visit services because CMS and Medicare Administrative Contractors did not have system edits in place to detect certain payments at risk for noncompliance; nor did CMS educate providers on the proper billing requirements for virtual check-in and e-visit services.
What OIG Recommends
We made three recommendations to CMS, including that it develop system edits for billing communication technology-based services that could have saved the Medicare program up to $2.3 million during our audit period, strengthen the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code descriptions for virtual check-ins in the Physician Fee Schedule, and further educate providers on the proper billing requirements for virtual and e-visit services. The full recommendations are in the report.
CMS concurred with our first and third recommendations and described corrective actions it planned to take, or has already taken, to address the recommendations. CMS did not concur with our second recommendation.
Recommendation Details (3)
26-A-05-062.01 to CMS - Open Unimplemented
Update expected on 10/22/2026
We recommend that CMS develop the following system edits for billing communication technology-based services that could have saved the Medicare program up to $2.3 million during our audit period: (1) edits to identify payments for further review for (a) virtual check-in services that occur within 7 days after or 24 hours prior to an E/M service and are billed with the same diagnosis code and (b) e-visits that occur and are billed separately with the same diagnosis code but should be billed only once within 7 days; and (2) edits to identify and reject claims where virtual check-in services and E/M services are billed on the same claim.
26-A-05-062.02 to CMS - Open Unimplemented
Update expected on 10/22/2026
We recommend that CMS strengthen the HCPCS code descriptions for virtual check-ins in the PFS to clarify the meaning of "related or same medical condition" and "soonest available appointment" to ensure accurate billing of virtual check-ins.
26-A-05-062.03 to CMS - Open Unimplemented
Update expected on 10/22/2026
We recommend that CMS further educate providers on the proper billing requirements for virtual check-in and e-visit services.
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The report is posted at: https://oig.hhs.gov/reports/all/2026/cms-could-strengthen-medicare-program-safeguards-to-prevent-and-detect-potentially-improper-payments-for-virtual-check-in-and-e-visit-services/
BLS: Summer Vacations - Prices for Gasoline and Air Travel Each Up More Than 20 Percent Over the Year
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following document on May 21, 2026, from Economics Daily:
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Summer vacations: prices for gasoline and air travel each up more than 20 percent over the year
With summer just around the corner, many people may be looking forward to a trip to the beach, the city, or another favorite locale. Let's look at how prices for some common vacation essentials have changed from April 2025 to April 2026.
Trips require traveling away from home, whether for a day, a week, or longer. For those traveling by
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WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following document on May 21, 2026, from Economics Daily:
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Summer vacations: prices for gasoline and air travel each up more than 20 percent over the year
With summer just around the corner, many people may be looking forward to a trip to the beach, the city, or another favorite locale. Let's look at how prices for some common vacation essentials have changed from April 2025 to April 2026.
Trips require traveling away from home, whether for a day, a week, or longer. For those traveling bycar, gasoline prices increased 28.4 percent over the year and prices for parking fees and tolls rose 2.9 percent. Flying instead? Airline fares climbed 20.7 percent.
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Chart: 12-month percentage change, Consumer Price Index, selected categories, April 2026, not seasonally adjusted
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Sampling the cuisine along the way and at the destination can be a vacation highlight. From April 2025 to April 2026, prices for full service meals and snacks rose 3.8 percent and prices for limited service meals and snacks rose 3.2 percent. Looking for a late-night snack from a vending machine or an ice cream cone on the beach? Prices for food from vending machines and mobile vendors increased 2.0 percent over the year.
Relaxation and fun are often the main part of the trip! Recreational books prices decreased 6.5 percent, while prices for attending movies, theaters, and concerts were up 5.5 percent. And tunes are a vacation must-have, right? Prices for recorded music and music subscriptions rose 5.8 percent over the year ended April 2026.
These data are from the Consumer Price Index (https://www.bls.gov/cpi/) program and are not seasonally adjusted. To learn more, see "Consumer Price Index -- April 2026 (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi_05122026.htm)." Also see these charts of consumer prices data (https://www.bls.gov/charts/consumer-price-index/consumer-price-index-by-category.htm#).
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SUGGESTED CITATION
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Summer vacations: prices for gasoline and air travel each up more than 20 percent over the year at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2026/summer-vacations-prices-for-gasoline-and-air-travel-each-up-more-than-20-percent-over-the-year.htm (visited May 23, 2026).
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View original text plus charts and tables here: https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2026/summer-vacations-prices-for-gasoline-and-air-travel-each-up-more-than-20-percent-over-the-year.htm
