$18 Billion In Improper Payment Reduction This Year?

The administration is claiming an $18 billion reduction in improper payments in fiscal 2011. That took the rate of improper payments down to 4.7 percent, compared to 5.3 percent a year earlier. Most of the savings came in the Medicare, Medicaid, Pell Grants and food assistance programs. The White House also unveiled new steps to prevent the government from paying money to the wrong people. It's asking agencies to appoint a senior official responsible for contractor suspensions and debarments. The goal is to make sure the government does business only with reputable companies.