What GAO Found Federal agencies rely on the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) National Broadband Map as a key information source to target tens of billions of dollars in federal broadband funding by knowing where high-speed internet is already available. However, the accuracy of the broadband availability data on the map is uncertain. FCC has not documented or assessed the sufficiency of its processes for ensuring the information's accuracy. Without taking these steps, FCC cannot be assured its processes are sufficient to ensure the data's quality or that its staff are carrying out these processes consistently, increasing the risk that inaccurate data appear on the map. Inaccurate data could jeopardize agencies' ability to make the most efficient and effective funding decisions. FCC, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and the Treasury coordinate with each other to administer the bulk of federal funding for broadband deployment. GAO found that coordination efforts between these agencies generally followed two and partially followed six of eight leading collaboration practices (see figure). Assessment of Interagency Coordination Efforts to Administer Federal Broadband Funding Compared with Leading Practices for Interagency Collaboration In particular, the agencies use various coordination methods, including regularly meeting and leveraging maps to share data to help avoid duplicate funding. The agencies also have some written agreements to guide coordination, such as an information-sharing memorandum. However, GAO found areas where the agencies have not clearly documented the scope of how coordination efforts will be implemented. For example, they have not clearly defined or documented key areas of their collaborative efforts, such as what “covered data” include when sharing information about their broadband deployment projects, as referenced in the memorandum. The agencies also have not established timelines for providing data on funded projects to the map used to display information on federally funded broadband projects, or documented a formal process for avoiding duplicate funding. Clearly defining, agreeing upon, and formally documenting guidance would better position the agencies to sustain their collaborative efforts, especially should changes in leadership or staff occur. It would also help ensure that billions of dollars in federal funding are spent efficiently and effectively to expand broadband access, including to areas with the greatest need. Why GAO Did This Study Access to broadband is critical for employment, education, health care, and other daily activities. Yet millions of Americans lack broadband access, despite at least $44 billion in federal investment over the past decade across myriad programs managed by different agencies. Information on where broadband is not available is key to expanding access. GAO was asked to review federal broadband efforts. This report examines (1) agencies' use of broadband availability information and the extent to which FCC ensures the quality of data in its National Broadband Map; and (2) the extent to which agencies' coordination of broadband funding programs aligns with GAO's leading practices for interagency collaboration, among other issues. GAO reviewed documents and interviewed officials from FCC and other broadband funding agencies. GAO compared (1) FCC's practices for ensuring the quality of information in its National Broadband Map against relevant federal internal control standards and (2) interagency coordination efforts with leading practices for interagency collaboration.

What GAO Found When information is unclear about the identity of the person who ultimately owns or controls a company that is participating in federal programs or operations, there is a heightened risk of procurement-, grant-, and eligibility- related fraud. Offices of Inspectors General (OIG) told GAO that they face challenges using the currently available federal, state, and commercial data sources to identify the “beneficial owners” of companies as part of their fraud detection and response efforts. A law that took effect in January 2024 directed certain companies to report their beneficial ownership information to a company registry administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). FinCEN has begun rolling out a process to allow law enforcement agencies, including select OIGs, to request access. Some OIGs told GAO that they have received information about the company registry, but they were unclear on which OIGs would have access to the data and exactly how company registry data can be used. Nevertheless, most OIGs who responded to GAO's survey reported that access to company registry data could be useful to their offices' fraud detection and response efforts (see fig.). Usefulness of Beneficial Ownership Information to Fraud Detection and Investigation Efforts, According to Offices of Inspectors General (OIG) Survey Responses OIGs identified several potential limitations in using company registry data. For example, FinCEN has not yet specified capabilities for bulk downloads of the data, but OIGs noted that such capability could facilitate data matching between the company registry and other data sources. In March 2025, Treasury announced plans to narrow the scope of reporting to foreign companies only. Beneficial ownership risk remains, however. With this change, registry information available to OIGs is more limited. Communicating with OIGs could help clarify the information available, OIGs' access, and how the data can be used. FinCEN officials said they are open to discussions with OIGs on these issues. Communication with OIGs during the registry rollout would better position FinCEN to identify and address challenges related to the fraud detection and response needs of the OIG community. Further, these efforts support FinCEN's strategic goal to significantly improve the ability to mitigate illicit finance risk by increasing law enforcement and other authorized users' access to beneficial ownership information. Why GAO Did This Study Fraud across federal programs is a significant and persistent problem. Some of this fraud is perpetrated by private companies obscuring beneficial ownership information when they compete for government contracts or apply for federal benefits. OIGs conduct oversight through audits and investigations, which include issues related to beneficial ownership. GAO was asked to review how beneficial ownership information may aid OIGs in their fraud detection and response efforts. This report describes the types of federal program fraud associated with beneficial ownership information, provides OIGs' perspectives on using the company registry, and assesses FinCEN's actions to communicate with OIGs. GAO reviewed relevant laws and agency documentation, interviewed officials from FinCEN and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), conducted a roundtable discussion with seven OIGs, and surveyed 72 OIGs to obtain their views on how the registry could affect their efforts to combat fraud.

What GAO Found The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has begun implementing the Medicare drug price negotiation program (negotiation program) and Medicare prescription drug inflation rebate program (inflation rebate program), as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) requires. The negotiation program requires CMS to negotiate prices for certain high-expenditure drugs. The inflation rebate program requires drug manufacturers to pay CMS a rebate if the prices of certain Medicare-covered drugs increase faster than the rate of inflation. As of December 2024, CMS's implementation of the negotiation program has included, for example, hiring staff, issuing program implementation guidance, and drug price negotiation. In August 2024, CMS announced negotiated prices for the first 10 drugs selected for negotiation, and these prices will go into effect in 2026. CMS's implementation of the inflation rebate program has included, for example, hiring program staff, issuing guidance and regulations, and developing program infrastructure to support rebate invoicing. CMS plans to begin invoicing manufacturers for rebates in late 2025. GAO found that CMS's plans for monitoring appropriated funds for the negotiation and inflation rebate programs are consistent with relevant federal internal control principles. As of December 2024, CMS plans to obligate approximately $2.9 billion of the $3 billion in negotiation program appropriated funds from fiscal years 2022 through 2033. CMS plans to use the majority—85 percent—of actual and planned obligations for program support—including contractors to support access to negotiated prices by pharmacies and other dispensing entities—and administration. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Total Planned Obligations to Implement the Medicare Negotiation Program, Fiscal Years 2022-2033 CMS plans to obligate approximately $155 million of the $160 million in inflation rebate program appropriated funds from 2022 through 2031. CMS plans to use the majority—approximately 82 percent—of actual and planned obligations for rebate operations, administration, and program support. Why GAO Did This Study The IRA requires changes to prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part B (which generally covers physician-administered drugs) and Part D (which provides voluntary prescription drug coverage). The IRA established two programs—the negotiation program and inflation rebate program—that aim to lower the prices Medicare and beneficiaries pay for prescription drugs. The IRA included a provision for us to support oversight of the use of funds appropriated in the IRA. This report (1) describes CMS's implementation of the negotiation program, (2) describes CMS's implementation of the inflation rebate program, and (3) assesses CMS's plans for using funds for both programs. For all objectives, GAO reviewed CMS documentation, including agency guidance and its spending planning documents, and interviewed CMS officials. For more information, contact John E. Dicken at dickenj@gao.gov.

What GAO Found The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center (Center) collects data on waterborne commerce, or the transport of commercial goods over waterways. The Corps uses waterborne commerce data to inform how it prioritizes funding for navigation projects. This helps ensure that federal harbors and channels remain navigable for vessels bringing goods to U.S. ports. For cargo transported between ports—which includes a wide variety of goods and reflects the many sectors of the nation’s economy—the Center collects data on tons of cargo, or tonnage, from vessel operators, other agencies, and a third-party vendor. For fish caught offshore and brought to port for sale, known as commercial fish landings, the Center collects data on pounds of fish landed from a database maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Ports of Houston, Texas and Dutch Harbor, Alaska According to the Corps’ budget guidance, while not the only factor that it considers, tonnage is the primary factor that the agency uses to prioritize funding for navigation projects. The Center, however, does not incorporate commercial fish landings data into tonnage, and the Corps does not otherwise use the landings data to inform budget decision-making for navigation projects. While Corps officials said that landings totals are likely small compared to the overall amount of cargo, the agency has not assessed the potential impact of incorporating landings data into tonnage. As a result, the Corps does not know if including landings data could impact the prioritization of navigation projects, particularly in states with significant commercial fishing activity. By assessing whether the Center should incorporate landings into tonnage, the Corps would be better able to substantiate its navigation budget decision-making. Why GAO Did This Study The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 includes a provision for GAO to conduct a review of the Center’s collection and reporting of waterborne commerce data, including data on commercial fishery landings and aquaculture harvest. This report provides information on the Center’s collection and use of these data. To inform this work, GAO reviewed and analyzed laws, regulations, policies, and guidance relevant to the Center’s collection of waterborne commerce data, and documents related to the Corps’ use of waterborne commerce data in its budget decision-making. GAO also met with Corps officials to understand the agency’s collection and use of waterborne commerce data, and reviewed data in the Corps’ Waterborne Commerce of the United States Calendar Year 2022. To better understand the commercial fish landings data collected by the Center, GAO met with officials from NMFS, and reviewed data available for fiscal year 2022 through the agency’s Fisheries One Stop Shop database.