Overview
Title
To improve coordination between Federal and State agencies and the Do Not Pay working system.
ELI5 AI
S. 269 is a plan to help government teams work better together to make sure money isn't given out by mistake. It wants to make it easier for everyone to share important information, but some people worry it might not be clear how to do this correctly.
Summary AI
S. 269 aims to enhance the collaboration between Federal and State agencies and the Do Not Pay working system. The bill proposes changes to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, requiring the Social Security Commissioner to share certain information with the Do Not Pay working system—ensuring it's used appropriately. Additionally, the bill changes an existing provision's expiration date to December 28, 2026, allowing more time for these efforts to be implemented and evaluated.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The bill titled the "Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act" aims to improve coordination between federal and state agencies through enhancements to the Do Not Pay working system. This system is designed to prevent improper payments, particularly payments that may unintentionally be made to deceased individuals. The modifications outlined in the bill include a requirement for the Social Security Commissioner to share data with the Do Not Pay system as part of a cooperative arrangement. Additionally, the bill extends the timeline for certain provisions to take effect, establishing a new effective date of December 28, 2026.
Significant Issues with the Bill
One of the noteworthy concerns involves the postponement of some provisions’ implementation until December 28, 2026. Extending the timeline might delay improvements in preventing improper payments, which could be contentious given the public's interest in ensuring fiscal responsibility. Moreover, the language "to the extent feasible" grants the Social Security Commissioner broad discretion in implementing these changes, potentially leading to inconsistencies in how the law is executed.
Another significant issue is the ambiguity surrounding what the "authorized uses" of the Do Not Pay system entail. Without clear guidelines, there is a risk of misuse, which could undermine the system's integrity and effectiveness. Lastly, the legal language and references might be opaque to those not well-versed in legislative terms, hindering public understanding and transparency regarding the bill's implications.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the bill seeks to enhance financial accountability and prevent the misuse of public funds, which is a positive goal for taxpayers. Preventing improper payments not only ensures efficient use of resources but also fosters public trust in government operations. However, the delay in implementation might affect how quickly these improved safeguards can be realized, possibly prolonging the period during which improper payments continue.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For government agencies, particularly those involved in managing and distributing benefits, the bill proposes a more streamlined collaboration, potentially easing administrative burdens and enhancing data accuracy. However, the discretion given to the Social Security Commissioner might lead to uneven application of these procedures across different agencies.
For individuals receiving benefits, especially those in vulnerable populations, the bill could help protect their rightful access to entitlements by reducing erroneous denials triggered by misidentification as deceased.
Overall, while the bill outlines necessary steps towards fiscal responsibility, the identified issues reflect a need for clearer guidelines and an expedited process to achieve the desired accountability goals efficiently.
Issues
The amendment to delay the effective date to December 28, 2026, in Section 2 could be seen as a significant concern as it postpones the implementation of the bill's provisions without providing a rationale. This could affect accountability and the urgency in addressing improper payments, which is a matter of public interest.
The phrase 'to the extent feasible' in Section 2 gives the Commissioner of Social Security substantial discretion in providing information to the Do Not Pay working system. This could result in non-uniform implementation and reduced compliance, which might lead to concerns about the effectiveness of the coordination between agencies.
The lack of clarity on what constitutes 'authorized uses' of the Do Not Pay working system in Section 2 is a critical concern. Without a clear definition, there is potential for misuse or divergent interpretations by different agencies, which raises legal and ethical issues.
The use of legal references, such as the Consolidated Appropriations Act and specific subparagraphs, in Section 2 may be unclear to individuals unfamiliar with legal jargon, potentially hindering transparency and public understanding of the legislation's impact.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The act is officially named the "Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act."
2. Improving coordination between Federal and State agencies and the Do Not Pay working system Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill section improves coordination by requiring the Social Security Commissioner to share information with the Do Not Pay system, under certain conditions, for preventing improper payments. Additionally, it changes the expiration date of a related provision to December 28, 2026, and sets this as the effective date for the amendments.