Since the 1980s, private companies, the federal government, and several state governments have eliminated the uncertainties and risks associated with managing defined benefit pension plans (low interest rates, stock market declines, and an aging work force) and have migrated to defined contribution retirement options. However, many companies that contract with the federal government have continued to offer defined benefit plans, in part because the investment risks are absorbed by the taxpayers through reimbursements for pension shortfalls.
Disability is the New Welfare
The two primary federal disability insurance programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), provide assistance to individuals with disabilities. SSDI is funded through payroll taxes and can be supplied on a permanent or temporary basis. SSI is a means-tested program for low-income individuals and is funded through general revenues. While tested enrollment in both programs has increased, the precipitous rise of SSDI beneficiaries is a more expensive proposition.
Batter Up! Move the Budget Baseline
For fans of the national pastime in Washington, D.C., it would be great if the Nationals could just start the new season where they left off last year. The District’s boys of summer would automatically be handed the 2013 National League East division title, and fans could spend carefree months without worrying about whether the team will make it to the post-season for the second time in 80 years.
Testing the Waters on Health Technology
While the number of physicians who use computers to store patient information is rising, most are still clinging to large manila file folders to record and retain complete patient histories. U.S. News and World Report reported on February 20, 2013 that, in spite of incentives from the U.S. government, a study conducted by Adam Write, a senior research scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, found that doctors are slow to adopt electronic health records (EHRs), with only 1 in 6 using the new technology.
Time to Get Real with Federal Property
The federal government has many addictions, including profligate spending, wasting money, and regulating the private lives of citizens. In such an environment, certain excesses are to be expected. But when they develop, it is important that they be quickly reined in. In the case of real property acquisition, the federal government’s addiction has gone on for far too long.
Got jobs?
For all the hand-wringing since March 1 about the sequester and the Obama administration threatening to furlough thousands of federal employees and contractors, thus marking the end of civilization as we know it, you would be happy to know the federal government is still hiring people.
Government Waste TV
There are more than enough egregious examples of mismanagement and inefficiency to create “Government Waste TV.”
Drip Drip Drip
Just like a leaky faucet, more stories are dripping out every day on how Obamacare (Affordable Care Act /ACA) is going to be complicated for people to enroll in it, that it is going to be very messy in 2014 when it officially starts, and that premiums are going to increase – by a lot.
Sugar! Oh, Help Me, Help Me!
“Sugar, Sugar” was the Number One single of 1969.
IRS Spent $60,000 on Star Trek and Gilligan’s Island Parody Videos
If you thought that there couldn’t possibly be any other embarrassing details about federal agency conference spending, I regret to inform you that you were wrong.