Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
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VA IG: Review of Automated Decisions for Veterans' Service-Connected Death Claims
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Veterans Affairs Inspector General issued the following report (No. 25-00153-47) on April 30, 2026 entitled "Review of Automated Decisions for Veterans' Service-Connected Death Claims."
Here is the executive summary:
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The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this review to determine whether automated decisions of the Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) Pension and Fiduciary Service correctly granted survivors' entitlement to service-connected death benefits from September 2023 through August 2024. As of October 2025, VBA was still using
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WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Veterans Affairs Inspector General issued the following report (No. 25-00153-47) on April 30, 2026 entitled "Review of Automated Decisions for Veterans' Service-Connected Death Claims."
Here is the executive summary:
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The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this review to determine whether automated decisions of the Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) Pension and Fiduciary Service correctly granted survivors' entitlement to service-connected death benefits from September 2023 through August 2024. As of October 2025, VBA was still usingthis automation process, which for this report means the system that creates rating decisions, awards, and notification letters.
The review found almost all automated decisions and notification letters had legal or procedural problems, especially with required notifications. Separately, the OIG estimated at least 2 percent of decisions had legal deficiencies resulting in improper payments of at least $2.7 million from September 2023 through August 2024. Deficiencies reduce transparency, increase the risk of improper payments, and also risk VA not complying with the Secretary's legal duty to notify claimants. To assess for ongoing relevance of the identified risks, the team reviewed 20 additional automated rating decisions that were completed from September through October 2025 and confirmed that, as of November 2025, VBA continued to experience similar errors for automated service-connected death rating decisions and notification letters. If VBA does not correct the deficiencies identified in this report, it risks continued improper payments and legally flawed notifications resulting from defects in its automation process.
The OIG shared its preliminary findings with VBA in March 2025, and in response, VA updated its procedures manual that same month to remove the long-form guidance for all survivor benefits decisions, including those processed traditionally (that is, without automation). Since the March briefing, the OIG has provided further briefings to keep officials informed.
The OIG made three recommendations to improve processes and guidance and to ensure compliance with law. The principal deputy under secretary for benefits, performing the delegable duties of the under secretary for benefits, concurred in part with recommendation 1, concurred with recommendation 2, and concurred in principle with recommendation 3.
Regarding recommendation 1, VBA cited "significant concerns" about the OIG's methodology in determining that hypertension claims "are more prone to error." However, the OIG did not determine, nor include in its findings, that hypertension claims are more prone to error. As explained in appendix A, initial findings indicated a higher risk of inaccuracy in hypertension, and the sample of claims selected for review was stratified to include more hypertension claims to test this initial finding. The sample stratification did not otherwise affect the OIG's testing or analysis or the conclusions in the report. Additionally, the OIG team shared its methodology with VBA's chief of quality sampling and analysis from the Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity at the start of the review and with Pension and Fiduciary staff throughout the project. VBA did not raise concerns during the review, and Pension and Fiduciary quality staff agreed with the errors the OIG identified.
Although VBA concurred with recommendation 2, it noted it does not concur "on any implication by OIG that review checklists" should be identical for automated and manual claims. The OIG team does not suggest that the review checklists for automation should be identical to those used to review manual processes; rather, the recommendation is that the checklists should be revised so that automated death benefits decisions receive the same scrutiny as traditionally processed claims, thereby ensuring automated decisions comply with statutory and procedural guidance.
Last, regarding recommendation 3, VBA explained it had previously consulted with the Office of General Counsel about service-connected death claims and automation, which the OIG acknowledges. In response to the OIG's recommendation, they subsequently consulted with the Office of General Counsel and are evaluating next steps based on this additional consultation. VBA's full management comments are in appendix D.
Background
In May 2020, VBA began automating decisions for service-connected death claims to improve decision speed, accuracy, and consistency. In May 2025, the VA Secretary announced system improvements to expand the use of automation in processing Dependency and Indemnity Compensation claims to further reduce "red tape" for survivors seeking death benefits.2 The Pension and Fiduciary Service developed the automation rules and collaborated with VA's Office of Information and Technology to implement the automated system. It extracts data from scanned documents and applies predefined rules to generate decisions. Because the automation uses predefined rules, rules-based defects will continue to recur if any step or rule has deficiencies.
What the Review Found
Although the available evidence for most of the estimated 8,100 automated decisions in the OIG's review supported granting the benefit, at least 8,000--nearly all--of the rating decisions or notification letters contained at least one legal or procedural deficiency. These included incomplete evidence summaries and omitted favorable findings, which are legal requirements.
Additionally, the OIG found errors that resulted in at least $2.7 million in improper payments for at least 2 percent of the estimated 8,100 decisions that granted benefits in the review period.
These errors included not verifying the eligibility of a claimant and granting service-connected death benefits without medical evidence tying the cause of death to a service-connected disability. Other deficiencies were procedural errors like missing narrative elements and formatting code sheets incorrectly. Any errors reduce transparency in how decisions were made.
The OIG also found the quality review checklist VBA used as an oversight tool for automated claims was less rigorous than the steps traditionally processed claims undergo to assess evidence, rationale, and notification content. This disparity implies automated decisions are not subject to the same standard of review for legal and procedural compliance as traditionally processed claims.
Finally, the modernization plan VA submitted to Congress as required by the PACT Act of 2022 did not fully explain that VBA uses end-to-end automation to grant service-connected death claims without human intervention when all automation rules are met. This suggests Congress may not fully understand VBA's automation process, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Next Steps
The OIG will continue to monitor VBA's corrective actions and will close the recommendations once VBA provides sufficient evidence that it has strengthened its automation processes and addressed the risks identified in this report.
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The report is posted at: https://www.vaoig.gov/reports/review/review-automated-decisions-veterans-service-connected-death-claims
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
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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
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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
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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/
FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Issues Public Notice: Comment Deadline for Alaska Connect Fund Eligible-Areas Map V.1.2 Extension
WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 23-328):
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As part of the Alaska Connect Fund Order, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) in coordination with the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) must publish an Eligible-Areas Map showing which areas are eligible and ineligible for Alaska Connect Fund mobile support, and of those that are eligible, which are in duplicate-support areas, singlesupport areas, or other eligible areas./1 On May 1, 2026, WTB, in coordination with OEA,
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WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 23-328):
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As part of the Alaska Connect Fund Order, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) in coordination with the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) must publish an Eligible-Areas Map showing which areas are eligible and ineligible for Alaska Connect Fund mobile support, and of those that are eligible, which are in duplicate-support areas, singlesupport areas, or other eligible areas./1 On May 1, 2026, WTB, in coordination with OEA,sought comment on version 1.2 of the Eligible-Areas Map./2 All comments were due by May 22, 2026./3 By this Public Notice, we announce an extension of the comment deadline until June 1, 2026.
On May 21, 2026, GCI Communications Corp. (GCI) indicated it needed more time to evaluate its areas of the Eligible-Areas Map. It filed a motion for a two week extension of the deadline to file comments to the Eligible-Areas Map Version 1.2, stating that an extension "would allow for additional time to resolve outstanding questions with respect to eligibility designations."/4
While it is the general policy of the Commission that extensions of time shall not be routinely granted,/5 under the circumstances presented, we conclude that a limited extension of the comment deadline is warranted in light of recent questions from GCI that could impact GCI's comments to the Eligible-Areas Map. We believe, however, that an additional ten days should provide sufficient time for GCI and other parties to resolve any outstanding questions related to their comments on the Eligible-Areas Map. Providers may submit new information with their comments and are encouraged to submit corrections to the Eligible-Areas Map via the corrections template./6 Accordingly, pursuant to Section 4(i) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,/7 and Section 1.46 of the Commission's rules,8 we extend the deadline for filing comments until June 1, 2026.
For further information regarding the Alaska Connect Fund, contact ACF@fcc.gov.
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Footnotes:
1/ Connect America Fund; Alaska Connect Fund et al., WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 23-328, 16-271, 14-58, 09-197, WT Docket No. 10-208, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 39 FCC Rcd 12099 (2024) (Alaska Connect Fund Order); 47 CFR Sec. 54.318(c)(2).
2/ Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Eligible-Areas Map Version 1.2, WC Docket No. 23328, Public Notice, DA 26-426 (rel. May 1, 2026) (EA Map v1.2 Notice).
3/ EA Map v1.2 Notice.
4/ GCI Communications Corp. Motion for Extension of Time to File Comments on Eligible-Areas Map Version 1.2, WC Docket No. 23-328 (filed May 21, 2026).
5/ 47 CFR Sec. 1.46(a).
6/ See Alaska Connect Fund, EA Map Corrections Template, https://www.fcc.gov/wireline-competition/alaskaconnect-fund#mobile-eligible-areas-map.
7/ 47 U.S.C. Sec. 154(i).
8/ 47 CFR Sec. 1.46.
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-519A1.pdf
Commerce IG: 'Revised Project Objective - Evaluation of FirstNet Cybersecurity Oversight'
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Commerce Inspector General issued the following report (No. 2026-532) on April 27, 2026 entitled "Revised Project Objective - Evaluation of FirstNet Cybersecurity Oversight."
Here is the announcement memo:
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April 27, 2026
MEMORANDUM FOR: Arielle Roth, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Administrator and NTIA Administrator National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Michael A. Cannon, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer First Responder Network Authority
FROM: Arthur L. Scott Jr., Assistant Inspector
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WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Commerce Inspector General issued the following report (No. 2026-532) on April 27, 2026 entitled "Revised Project Objective - Evaluation of FirstNet Cybersecurity Oversight."
Here is the announcement memo:
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April 27, 2026
MEMORANDUM FOR: Arielle Roth, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Administrator and NTIA Administrator National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Michael A. Cannon, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer First Responder Network Authority
FROM: Arthur L. Scott Jr., Assistant InspectorGeneral for Audit and Evaluation
SUBJECT: Revised Project Objective - Evaluation of FirstNet Cybersecurity Oversight, Project No. 2026-532
This memorandum is to inform you of a significant change to the evaluation objective for this project. The original objective was to assess the effectiveness of the National Public Safety Broadband Network's (NPSBN's) security controls in detecting and responding to cyber incidents. During project planning, we determined the original objective could not be evaluated as intended due to contractual constraints.
Our revised objective is to assess whether FirstNet Authority provides effective oversight to ensure AT&T meets contractual cybersecurity requirements. The revised title of the project is stated in the subject line. We are replanning the project in accordance with the new objective and will further discuss the matter with relevant officials.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
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The report is posted at: https://www.oig.doc.gov/reports/?entry=68233
Commerce IG: 'Audit of the Bureau of Industry and Security's Enforcement of Russia and Belarus Export Controls'
WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Commerce Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-26-019-A) on May 4, 2026 entitled "Audit of the Bureau of Industry and Security's Enforcement of Russia and Belarus Export Controls."
Here is the abstract:
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What We Audited
Our objective was to assess the actions taken by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to detect violations of export controls for Russia and Belarus in fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
Why This Matters
BIS administers and enforces U.S. export regulations to control the export of goods and technologies for national security
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WASHINGTON, May 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Commerce Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-26-019-A) on May 4, 2026 entitled "Audit of the Bureau of Industry and Security's Enforcement of Russia and Belarus Export Controls."
Here is the abstract:
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What We Audited
Our objective was to assess the actions taken by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to detect violations of export controls for Russia and Belarus in fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
Why This Matters
BIS administers and enforces U.S. export regulations to control the export of goods and technologies for national securityand foreign policy purposes.
In February 2022, BIS imposed strict export controls on commodities, software, and technologies that have dual military and civilian uses to Russia and Belarus. These controls aim to restrict the flow of critical goods and technologies that could support Russia's military capabilities and war effort.
What We Found
BIS prevents the diversion or misuse of export-controlled items abroad by conducting pre-license checks and post-shipment verifications--collectively known as end-use checks--on foreign end users for individual export transactions, to help ensure that U.S. exports are being used as intended and to assess the legitimacy of end users.
Overall, we found that BIS needs to strengthen its end-use check process to identify and prevent restricted shipments to Russia and Belarus. Specifically, we found weaknesses in BIS methods to identify and select high-risk shipments for end-use checks; document results and assign final ratings of compliance with export control regulations; and complete enforcement actions to hold potential violators of export controls accountable. These weaknesses undermine the transparency and accountability of BIS's regulatory oversight and underscore the need for improvements to strengthen and modernize the end-use check process.
What We Recommend
We made six recommendations to strengthen and modernize the end-use check process. BIS concurred with four of the six recommendations; regarding the other two, we consider recommendation 3 implemented and we ask BIS to reconsider its position on recommendation 6.
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The report is posted at: https://www.oig.doc.gov/reports/?entry=68423
