H.R.2716 - Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2716, the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, aims to improve coordination between federal and state agencies and the Do Not Pay system. It mandates the Commissioner of Social Security to share information with the agency operating the Do Not Pay system regarding deceased individuals. This information sharing is intended to prevent improper payments to deceased individuals.
The bill amends Section 801(a) of title VIII of division FF of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and sets an effective date for the amendments as December 28, 2026. The goal is to reduce waste and fraud in government payments by ensuring that benefits are not improperly disbursed to deceased individuals.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely result in a reduction of improper payments made by the federal government to deceased individuals. This is achieved by enhancing data sharing between the Social Security Administration and the Do Not Pay system.
This improved coordination should lead to more accurate payment processing and reduced financial losses due to fraud or error. The changes will take effect on December 28, 2026, providing time for agencies to implement the necessary data-sharing protocols.
Potential Benefits
- Reduces improper government payments to deceased individuals, saving taxpayer money.
- Enhances coordination between federal and state agencies, improving efficiency.
- Strengthens the Do Not Pay system by providing more comprehensive data.
- Potentially frees up resources that would otherwise be spent on recovering improper payments.
- Increases public trust in government by reducing waste and fraud.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential privacy concerns related to sharing personal information, though the bill includes safeguards.
- Implementation costs for updating systems and establishing data-sharing agreements.
- Possible delays or errors in data transfer between agencies.
- The effectiveness depends on the accuracy and timeliness of the data provided by the Social Security Administration.
- The delayed effective date (December 28, 2026) means benefits will not be realized immediately.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to reduce government waste and use taxpayer money more efficiently. Specifically, the preamble states the goal to "promote the general Welfare".
There are no apparent conflicts with individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights. The data sharing is intended for a specific purpose (preventing improper payments) and includes safeguards to protect personal information.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).