The District of Columbia's Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) has a history of serious performance problems. A court case in 1989 set in motion sweeping efforts to improve the District's child welfare system. Since then, CFSA has worked to meet performance requirements ordered by the U.S. District Court. However, recent reports by the court monitor show that CFSA is not meeting performance re...

Since 1975, the District of Columbia has operated its mental health system under a series of court orders aimed at developing a community-based system of care for District residents with mental illnesses. Placed in receivership from 1997 to 2002, the District regained full control of its mental health system in 2002 but has been ordered to implement a courtapproved plan for developing and implemen...

Created in 1984, the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) was charged with developing the federal sentencing guidelines to limit disparities in sentencing among offenders with similar criminal backgrounds found guilty of similar crimes. Judges determine a specific sentence based on an applicable sentencing guideline range, such as 57 to 71 months, provided in the guidelines. Judges may impos...

In 1999, nearly 10 million retired people aged 55 or older relied on employer-sponsored health insurance as either their primary source of coverage or as a supplement to their Medicare coverage. Some of these persons are concerned about the continued availability of employer-sponsored coverage. Premium increases and forecasts for a potential economic slowdown could further erode employer-sponsored...

The failure by the District of Columbia's Commission on Mental Health Services to provide community-based mental health services, as required by a 1974 court ruling, prompted a judge to appoint a receiver to carry out the court's order. Control of mental health services is scheduled to be returned to the Commission in April 2001. Although the transitional receiver is developing a plan to enhance t...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed how people enrolled in employer-based managed care plans are compensated when they are improperly denied health care benefits or when they experience negligent medical care and the role that the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) plays, focusing on: (1) whether the transition from traditional employer-based fee-for-service health plans...

GAO was asked to order all Federal agencies to honor administrative garnishment orders, issued by the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services, without requiring supporting documentation. GAO did not believe that it was appropriate to issue a decision because of matters before the U.S. Court of Claims; however, to avoid delay, it stated its views. The Revised Code of Washington...

A firm representing the claimant requested reconsideration of a decision disallowing a claim for recredit of sick and annual leave. In the reconsideration, GAO sustained the action of the Claims Division. It was held that the employee was not entitled to the recredit of involuntary sick and annual leave as an employee may be involuntarily placed on sick leave when the cognizant administrative offi...

A review was requested of the District of Columbia Government's use of additional funding and positions provided by Congress in fiscal year 1977 to Forest Haven, a residential facility for the care and treatment of the mentally retarded. The review included an examination of the extent to which these additional resources helped Forest Haven comply with Federal standards under the Medicaid program...

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court decision permitting GAO to review the records of Eli Lilly and Company relating to pricing and production costs for several drug products purchased by the Government in 1973 and 1974. There will be no action taken by GAO in this matter until four cases pending against other pharmaceutical manufacturers are decided...