HHS manages hundreds of complex programs benefiting the health and well-being of Americans, accounting for a quarter of all federal outlays. For fiscal year 2012, HHS is responsible for approximately $76 billion in discretionary spending and for an estimated $788 billion in mandatory spending. The size and critical mission of the two largest HHS programs, Medicare and Medicaid, make it imperative that HHS is fiscally prudent yet vigilant in protecting the populations that depend on these programs. In recent years, GAO has identified shortcomings and recommended actions to enhance operations and correct inefficiencies in Medicare and Medicaid, and HHS has implemented many recommendations, resulting in billions of dollars in savings. Because agencies now must do more with less, recommendations not yet implemented are opportunities for further conserving HHS funds and strengthening oversight of programs serving the nation's most vulnerable populations. GAO was asked to testify on issues related to HHS's budget. This statement draws from GAO's prior work, including work on these two high-risk programs, in which GAO made recommendations related to (1) the management of Medicare and (2) the need for additional oversight of Medicaid. To the extent information was available, GAO updated the status of these recommendations.

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

Scores of talented and dedicated people serve the forensic science community, performing vitally important work. However, they are often constrained by lack of adequate resources, sound policies, and national support. It is clear that change and advancements, both systematic and scientific, are needed in a number of forensic science disciplines to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices with consistent application. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward provides a detailed plan for addressing these needs and suggests the creation of a new government entity, the National Institute of Forensic Science, to establish and enforce standards within the forensic science community. The benefits of improving and regulating the forensic science disciplines are clear: assisting law enforcement officials, enhancing homeland security, and reducing the risk of wrongful conviction and exoneration. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States gives a full account of what is needed to advance the forensic science disciplines, including upgrading of systems and organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. While this book provides an essential call-to-action for congress and policy makers, it also serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecutors and attorneys, and forensic science educators.

Catalog of reports, decisions and opinions, testimonies and speeches.