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Reports News from the GAO Reports News from the GAO. https://www.gao.gov/rss/reports.xml Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:57:10 -0400 GAO https://www.gao.gov/themes/custom/gao_uswds/img/gao-logo-rss.gif Reports News from the GAO https://www.gao.gov/rss/reports.xml Feed provided by GAO. Quantum Computing: Federal Actions Needed to Prepare for Emerging Cyber Threat https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-108740 What GAO Found Quantum computers leverage qubits (the quantum equivalent of classical computer bits) to solve specific problems significantly faster than classical computers. However, the emergence of quantum computers could undermine the cryptography (e.g., encryption) that federal agencies use to secure their systems. Today’s quantum computers cannot yet break this cryptography. But a future quantum computer of sufficient size and sophistication—referred to as a cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC)—could potentially do so for certain cryptography. Most industry experts believe that a CRQC will be developed, possibly as soon as the 2030s. However, development estimates vary widely due to several factors, such as uncertainty in the rate of growth for qubits and how many qubits will be needed. Once a CRQC is developed, its use could have devastating impacts to federal systems reliant on vulnerable cryptography. For example, a malicious actor could use a CRQC tocompromise systems that ensure the authenticity of system users—thus allowing the actor to gain access to sensitive information; and decrypt (or unlock and view) data that the actor acquires and stores prior to the development of such a computer. To address the threat posed by a CRQC, it is important that agencies transition existing systems to more secure cryptography (referred to as post-quantum cryptography). Using Office of Management and Budget guidance, GAO created an evaluation framework of three practices that agencies should address to prepare for this transition. However, none of the 24 selected agencies fully addressed these practices (see figure). Extent to Which the 24 Chief Financial Officer Act Agencies Addressed Preparatory Practices for Migrating to Quantum Computing The incomplete implementation of these practices is due in part to a lack of (1) cryptography expertise, (2) processes for developing cryptography inventories and identifying funding needed to transition to post-quantum cryptography, and (3) plans to guide post-quantum cryptography testing. Until the selected agencies address these weaknesses, they will not be well-positioned to address the threat of CRQCs to cryptography that agencies rely on to protect sensitive information. Why GAO Did This Study Federal agencies rely on cryptography to protect sensitive data and systems. However, some experts predict that a quantum computer capable of breaking certain cryptography may be developed within the next 10 to 20 years. GAO was asked to review the threat of quantum computing to federal agency cryptography. This report describes (1) the threats quantum computers pose to cryptography on federal agencies’ information systems and (2) the extent to which federal agencies have begun preparing for this threat consistent with federal guidance. GAO also evaluated cryptography inventories, funding assessments, and other planning documentation at each of the 24 Chief Financial Officer Act agencies to determine the extent to which they had addressed transition preparatory practices consistent with federal guidance. This is a public version of a sensitive report that GAO issued in September 2025. We worked with the Office of the National Cyber Director from September 2025 through September 2026 to prepare this version. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:20:40 -0400 /products/gao-27-108740 Mortgage Lending: Newly Enacted Restrictions May Help Curb Unwanted Solicitations While Preserving Comparison Shopping https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-108874 What GAO Found When homebuyers apply for a mortgage, lenders request their credit reports from credit reporting agencies. These agencies may then sell the homebuyers’ contact and credit information to other lenders and brokers, which use it to send competing loan offers. Before recent legislation, credit reporting agencies could, without the homebuyer’s consent, provide this information to those that did not have an existing relationship with the homebuyer (see figure). Thus, homebuyers could receive dozens of mortgage solicitations by phone or text in a short period. Example of the Mortgage Trigger Lead Marketing Process According to industry stakeholders, the primary benefit of trigger leads is that they can encourage homebuyers to comparison shop for loans and potentially save money. But this benefit may be limited: Recent federal survey results suggest that no more than 3.5 percent of homebuyers may have obtained a loan through competing offers based on trigger leads. One lender said homebuyers have ways to compare lenders before applying for a mortgage, so offers based on trigger leads generated later in the homebuying process may be less useful. Trigger leads resulted in a high volume of unwanted marketing solicitations and posed other drawbacks for some homebuyers, according to consumer advocates and industry stakeholders: A high volume of solicitations can overwhelm and confuse homebuyers, and aggressive tactics can annoy them. Broad dissemination of homebuyers’ information could expose them to misleading or deceptive practices. Homebuyers may view the sale of their personal information and resulting marketing solicitations as an invasion of privacy. In 2025, the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act restricted credit reporting agencies’ ability to provide residential mortgage trigger leads to parties that have an existing relationship with or consent from the homebuyer. Because these restrictions took effect in March 2026, not enough time has passed to determine their effects on homebuyers. If effectively implemented, these restrictions could limit access to trigger leads and reduce the volume of solicitations homebuyers receive while preserving opportunities to comparison shop. Why GAO Did This Study Each year, millions of homebuyers apply for a mortgage, and some receive marketing calls and texts from other lenders and brokers with competing offers based on trigger leads. The volume of these mortgage solicitations prompted the enactment of the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act in 2025. The act includes a provision for GAO to assess the value of trigger leads for homebuyers. This report examines (1) the potential benefits of trigger leads, (2) drawbacks associated with them, and (3) how the act’s restrictions may affect those benefits and drawbacks.  GAO reviewed federal and state laws, searched for and reviewed relevant literature, and analyzed 2022–2024 responses to the National Survey of Mortgage Originations. In addition, GAO obtained information from or interviewed officials of credit reporting agencies, consumer groups, mortgage lenders (banks, credit unions, and nonbanks), industry associations, the association for state banking regulators, and a state regulatory agency. GAO also analyzed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) consumer complaints database and used artificial intelligence to identify complaints related to mortgage solicitations, and interviewed officials from CFPB and the Federal Trade Commission. For more information, contact William W. Colvin at colvinw@gao.gov. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:29:33 -0400 /products/gao-27-108874 Rural Health Transformation Program: Early Implementation Actions and Monitoring Plans https://www.gao.gov/ What GAO Found The Rural Health Transformation program provides funding for states to conduct rural health activities, such as recruiting clinicians to rural areas and providing training and technology to improve care delivery in rural hospitals. In the latter half of 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) completed a number of early key actions to implement the Rural Health Transformation program. These actions included the release of the notice of funding opportunity—which provided details on program goals and requirements—and initial funding awards to all 50 states totaling $10 billion. The initial allotment of state funding ranged from $147 million for New Jersey to $281 million for Texas. CMS and merit reviewers assessed state applications based on a variety of factors—such as rural characteristics (e.g., total area in square miles and percent of population in rural areas) and the strength of states’ proposed initiatives. As a result, funding amounts variedacross states. Rural Health Transformation Program Funding, by State, Budget Period 1 (December 29, 2025, Through October 30, 2026) CMS plans on conducting a range of activities to monitor states’ activities and use of program funding. These monitoring activities include communicating with states to discuss progress and challenges, reviewing information states submit, and conducting audits and site visits. GAO found that its planned activities are generally consistent with selected requirements related to monitoring of federal awards. For example, CMS plans to measure awardee performance to show achievement of program goals and objectives, and hold webinars to share lessons learned, improve program outcomes, and foster the adoption of promising practices. CMS plans to allot up to $40 billion of the remaining program funds to states over the next 4 years based on their demonstration of satisfactory progress toward approved initiatives (e.g., progress toward planned milestones), among other activities. If states do not comply with the terms and conditions of their notices of award, CMS may withhold, reduce, or recover a portion of states’ program funding. The authorizing legislation of the Rural Health Transformation program limits states’ ability to appeal or challenge any funding changes made by CMS. However, officials said issues related to appeals or challenges of funding changes may depend on the specific facts and circumstances, and they are in the process of determining how the agency will handle any such disputes or challenges. Why GAO Did This Study In July 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act established the Rural Health Transformation program to provide funding allotments to states for specified rural health activities. It will fund up to $50 billion to states over 5 years. The program is administered by CMS as cooperative agreements with states. Federal law provided CMS with broad discretion to determine funding allotments to states. Among other topics, this report describes CMS’s initial steps to establish the program, examines CMS’s plans to monitor states’ activities, and describes CMS’s approach for determining states’ future funding allotments. To conduct this work, GAO reviewed CMS documentation on Rural Health Transformation program implementation and monitoring. GAO also interviewed CMS officials and representatives from two rural health stakeholder groups and one state government stakeholder group selected among those with national membership. For more information, contact Leslie V. Gordon at GordonLV@gao.gov. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:34:17 -0400 Concrete Masonry Promotion Program: Commerce Could Enhance Its Oversight Controls https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-108692 What GAO Found The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) program is a federally authorized, industry-funded program that supports research, education, and promotion projects intended to strengthen the concrete masonry industry and expand markets for its products. The term checkoff refers to the way similar programs are funded—that is, through assessments. The CMC Board administers the program, which is funded through mandatory assessments on specified concrete masonry units sold. From 2023 through 2025, the board collected over $27 million in assessments and spent nearly $15 million of the funds, p

Reports News from the GAO Reports News from the GAO. https://www.gao.gov/rss/reports.xml Tue, 06 Oct 2026 10:56:58 -0400 GAO https://www.gao.gov/themes/custom/gao_uswds/img/gao-logo-rss.gif Reports News from the GAO https://www.gao.gov/rss/reports.xml Feed provided by GAO. Rural Health Transformation Program: Early Implementation Actions and Monitoring Plans https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-108853 What GAO Found The Rural Health Transformation program provides funding for states to conduct rural health activities, such as recruiting clinicians to rural areas and providing training and technology to improve care delivery in rural hospitals. In the latter half of 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) completed a number of early key actions to implement the Rural Health Transformation program. These actions included the release of the notice of funding opportunity—which provided details on program goals and requirements—and initial funding awards to all 50 states totaling $10 billion. The initial allotment of state funding ranged from $147 million for New Jersey to $281 million for Texas. CMS and merit reviewers assessed state applications based on a variety of factors—such as rural characteristics (e.g., total area in square miles and percent of population in rural areas) and the strength of states’ proposed initiatives. As a result, funding amounts variedacross states. Rural Health Transformation Program Funding, by State, Budget Period 1 (December 29, 2025, Through October 30, 2026) CMS plans on conducting a range of activities to monitor states’ activities and use of program funding. These monitoring activities include communicating with states to discuss progress and challenges, reviewing information states submit, and conducting audits and site visits. GAO found that its planned activities are generally consistent with selected requirements related to monitoring of federal awards. For example, CMS plans to measure awardee performance to show achievement of program goals and objectives, and hold webinars to share lessons learned, improve program outcomes, and foster the adoption of promising practices. CMS plans to allot up to $40 billion of the remaining program funds to states over the next 4 years based on their demonstration of satisfactory progress toward approved initiatives (e.g., progress toward planned milestones), among other activities. If states do not comply with the terms and conditions of their notices of award, CMS may withhold, reduce, or recover a portion of states’ program funding. The authorizing legislation of the Rural Health Transformation program limits states’ ability to appeal or challenge any funding changes made by CMS. However, officials said issues related to appeals or challenges of funding changes may depend on the specific facts and circumstances, and they are in the process of determining how the agency will handle any such disputes or challenges. Why GAO Did This Study In July 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act established the Rural Health Transformation program to provide funding allotments to states for specified rural health activities. It will fund up to $50 billion to states over 5 years. The program is administered by CMS as cooperative agreements with states. Federal law provided CMS with broad discretion to determine funding allotments to states. Among other topics, this report describes CMS’s initial steps to establish the program, examines CMS’s plans to monitor states’ activities, and describes CMS’s approach for determining states’ future funding allotments. To conduct this work, GAO reviewed CMS documentation on Rural Health Transformation program implementation and monitoring. GAO also interviewed CMS officials and representatives from two rural health stakeholder groups and one state government stakeholder group selected among those with national membership. For more information, contact Leslie V. Gordon at GordonLV@gao.gov. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:34:17 -0400 /products/gao-27-108853 Quantum Computing: Federal Actions Needed to Prepare for Emerging Cyber Threat https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-108740 What GAO Found Quantum computers leverage qubits (the quantum equivalent of classical computer bits) to solve specific problems significantly faster than classical computers. However, the emergence of quantum computers could undermine the cryptography (e.g., encryption) that federal agencies use to secure their systems. Today’s quantum computers cannot yet break this cryptography. But a future quantum computer of sufficient size and sophistication—referred to as a cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC)—could potentially do so for certain cryptography. Most industry experts believe that a CRQC will be developed, possibly as soon as the 2030s. However, development estimates vary widely due to several factors, such as uncertainty in the rate of growth for qubits and how many qubits will be needed. Once a CRQC is developed, its use could have devastating impacts to federal systems reliant on vulnerable cryptography. For example, a malicious actor could use a CRQC tocompromise systems that ensure the authenticity of system users—thus allowing the actor to gain access to sensitive information; and decrypt (or unlock and view) data that the actor acquires and stores prior to the development of such a computer. To address the threat posed by a CRQC, it is important that agencies transition existing systems to more secure cryptography (referred to as post-quantum cryptography). Using Office of Management and Budget guidance, GAO created an evaluation framework of three practices that agencies should address to prepare for this transition. However, none of the 24 selected agencies fully addressed these practices (see figure). Extent to Which the 24 Chief Financial Officer Act Agencies Addressed Preparatory Practices for Migrating to Quantum Computing The incomplete implementation of these practices is due in part to a lack of (1) cryptography expertise, (2) processes for developing cryptography inventories and identifying funding needed to transition to post-quantum cryptography, and (3) plans to guide post-quantum cryptography testing. Until the selected agencies address these weaknesses, they will not be well-positioned to address the threat of CRQCs to cryptography that agencies rely on to protect sensitive information. Why GAO Did This Study Federal agencies rely on cryptography to protect sensitive data and systems. However, some experts predict that a quantum computer capable of breaking certain cryptography may be developed within the next 10 to 20 years. GAO was asked to review the threat of quantum computing to federal agency cryptography. This report describes (1) the threats quantum computers pose to cryptography on federal agencies’ information systems and (2) the extent to which federal agencies have begun preparing for this threat consistent with federal guidance. GAO also evaluated cryptography inventories, funding assessments, and other planning documentation at each of the 24 Chief Financial Officer Act agencies to determine the extent to which they had addressed transition preparatory practices consistent with federal guidance. This is a public version of a sensitive report that GAO issued in September 2025. We worked with the Office of the National Cyber Director from September 2025 through September 2026 to prepare this version. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:20:40 -0400 /products/gao-27-108740 Disability Employment: DOL Should Enhance Monitoring and Guidance for Federal Contractors https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107937 What GAO Found Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 503) requires certain federal contractors to take proactive steps to employ people with disabilities. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) within the Department of Labor (DOL) oversees contractors’ compliance with Section 503. Since January 2025, DOL has reduced its oversight activities. For example, DOL has suspended audits of selected contractors, which were a key tool for monitoring compliance. From fiscal years 2017 through 2025, 532 audits found Section 503 violations. Without resuming audits, DOL has less assurance that contractors are supporting employment of people with disabilities. Further, DOL has reduced OFCCP’s workforce in response to changes in its activities (see fig.). However, these changes were not informed by strategic workforce planning consistent with key principles for such efforts. DOL has made changes to Section 503 regulations that could further impact OFCCP’s activities. Engaging in strategic workforce planning would help DOL ensure that OFCCP’s workforce composition meets its needs. Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Workforce, FY 2017–2026 Federal contractors face a range of challenges complying with Section 503. Selected stakeholders identified challenges in three key areas: conducting outreach to and recruiting people with disabilities, retaining and advancing people with disabilities, and demonstrating compliance with Section 503. Stakeholders also said that DOL could provide additional guidance to help contactors comply with the law. For example, information on how to provide reasonable accommodations and a list of best practices for Section 503 compliance could help contractors better understand how to support employees with disabilities. Why GAO Did This Study In fiscal year 2025, the federal government spent about $793 billion on contracts with federal contractors—which employ over 1 million U.S. workers. Section 503 prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment against people with disabilities. It also requires certain contractors to take proactive steps to employ and advance in employment people with disabilities. GAO was asked to review the implementation and oversight of Section 503. This report addresses (1) the extent to which DOL monitors Section 503 compliance and plans for its workforce needs, and (2) what challenges, if any, contractors face in complying with Section 503 and the extent to which DOL has provided resources to assist contractors. GAO analyzed OFCCP enforcement data and DOL human resources data, and reviewed DOL documents. GAO conducted interviews and discussion groups with DOL officials as well as representatives of contractors, consultants who assist contractors with compliance, academic researchers, and other stakeholders who were familiar with Section 503 compliance or supporting employment of people with disabilities. GAO also conducted a nongeneralizable survey of representatives of contractors. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:13:51 -0400 /products/gao-26-107937 Mortgage Lending: Newly Enacted Restrictions May Help Curb Unwanted Solicitations While Preserving Comparison Shopping https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-108874 What GAO Found When homebuyers apply for a mortgage, lenders request their credit reports from credit reporting agencies. These agencies may then sell the homebuyers’ contact and credit information to other lenders and brokers, which use it to send competing loan offers. Before recent legislation, credit reporting agencies could, without the homebuyer’s consent, provide this information to those that did not have an existing relationship with the homebuyer (see figure). Thus, homebuyers could receive dozens of mortgage solicitations by phone or text in a short period. Example of the Mortgage Trigger Lead Marketing Process According to industry stakeholders, the primary benefit of trigger leads is that they can encourage homebuyers to comparison shop for loans and potentially save money. But this benefit may be limited: Recent federal survey results suggest that no more than 3.5 percent of homebuyers may have obtained a loan through competing offers based on trigger leads. One lender said homebuyers have ways to compare lenders before applying for a mortgage, so offers base

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