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Noncash Benefits: Methodological Review of Experimental Valuation Methods Indicates Many Problems Remain

PEMD-87-23 Published: Sep 30, 1987. Publicly Released: Nov 02, 1987.
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Highlights

In response to a congressional request, GAO: (1) developed a general approach for assessing future proposed methods to change poverty indicators; and (2) applied its approach to one method the Census Bureau used to place cash value on noncash benefits.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the Director of the Census Bureau to conduct a more comprehensive examination of the problems with the Bureau's valuation methods, especially those involving medical benefits, giving full consideration to the assessment approach GAO developed. The Bureau should fully disclose in its publications the magnitude of the effects of these problems.
Closed – Implemented
Action taken was not completely responsive because the research report designed to address those problems has not been released. The full report is likely to be issued in December 1990.

Full Report

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Topics

Disadvantaged personsEconomic indicatorsEvaluation methodsMedicaidPublic assistance programsStatistical dataWelfare benefitsMedicareCensusParticipation rates