Reports News from the GAO http://www.gao.gov/press.html 2008-10-10T12:31:14+01:00 FeedCreator 1.7.2-ppt 2008-10-09T00:00:00+01:00 2008-10-09T00:00:00+01:00 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08597.pdf?source=ra

Two thirds of U.S. adults are overweight, and childhood obesity and diabetes are on the rise. To reverse these health problems, experts are urging Americans to eat healthier. Food labels contain information to help consumers who want to make healthy food choices. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees federal labeling rules for 80 percent of foods. GAO was asked to examine (1) FDA's efforts to ensure that domestic and imported ...

2008-10-09T00:00:00+01:00 2008-10-09T00:00:00+01:00 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08640.pdf?source=ra

The Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been criticized about how it recruits individuals to become members of its advisory committees and how it grants some determinations that allow members with conflicts of interest to participate in committee meetings. Advisory committee meetings can include both standing and temporary members. Temporary members only serve for a particular meeting. GAO ...

2008-10-09T00:00:00+01:00 2008-10-09T00:00:00+01:00 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08901.pdf?source=ra

Recent military conflicts have increased interest in federal efforts to support servicemembers preparing to leave military service. Through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DOD), has made efforts to streamline access to veterans' disability benefits by allowing some servicemembers to file a claim and obtain a single comprehensive exam ...

2008-10-08T00:00:00+01:00 2008-10-08T00:00:00+01:00 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0940.pdf?source=ra

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for coordinating the federal government's homeland security communications with all levels of government. In support of this mission, DHS implemented, and has been enhancing, the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN). It also has proposed a follow-on system, called Next Generation HSIN (HSIN Next Gen). GAO was asked to determine whether (1) DHS has stopped further improvements ...

2008-10-07T00:00:00+01:00 2008-10-07T00:00:00+01:00 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08885.pdf?source=ra

The increase in leveraged buyouts (LBO) of U.S. companies by private equity funds prior to the slowdown in mid-2007 has raised questions about the potential impact of these deals. Some praise LBOs for creating new governance structures for companies and providing longer term investment opportunities for investors. Others criticize LBOs for causing job losses and burdening companies with too much debt. This report addresses the (1) effect ...

2008-10-07T00:00:00+01:00 2008-10-07T00:00:00+01:00 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0946.pdf?source=ra

Rising energy prices and concerns about the environment have fueled interest in "green building"--resource-efficient construction and maintenance practices that reduce adverse impacts on the natural environment. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), spends an estimated $5 billion on energy costs annually in its affordable housing programs and has recently taken steps to reduce its energy costs. GAO was asked to review (1) ...

2008-10-07T00:00:00+01:00 2008-10-07T00:00:00+01:00 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d095.pdf?source=ra

The Department of Defense (DOD) relies on thousands of suppliers to provide weapons, equipment, and raw materials to meet U.S. national security objectives. Yet, increased globalization in the defense industry and consolidation of the defense supplier base into a few prime contractors has reduced competition and single-source suppliers have become more common for components and subsystems. For this report, GAO (1) assessed DOD's efforts ...

2008-10-06T00:00:00+01:00 2008-10-06T00:00:00+01:00 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08946.pdf?source=ra

Sovereign wealth funds (SWF) are government-controlled funds that seek to invest in other countries. With new funds being created and many growing rapidly, some see these funds providing valuable capital to world markets, but others are concerned that the funds are not transparent and could be used to further national goals and potentially harm the countries where they invest. GAO plans to issue a series of reports on various aspects of ...

2008-10-06T00:00:00+01:00 2008-10-06T00:00:00+01:00 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0956.pdf?source=ra

Fatalities on U.S. roads now total over 40,000 each year. Future reductions may require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to address new trends such as evolving crash-avoidance technologies and rapidly changing electronic devices that may distract drivers who use them on the road. (See figure.) GAO was asked to examine how DOT is addressing fast-moving trends such as these. This report examines how DOT is (1) deciding on responses ...