1: Wellbeing and Financial Security

Address Current and Emerging Challenges to the Wellbeing and Financial Security of the American People

Other Information:

In keeping with GAO’s mission to support the Congress in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, GAO’s first strategic goal focuses on the need to, as the founding fathers put it, “promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty” for U.S. citizens. Balancing these goals with their associated costs has always had major policy and budget implications for the federal government. Given that the federal government is on an unsustainable long-term fiscal path, it faces one of its biggest balancing acts of all in the coming years: How does the federal government reconcile Americans’ desire to improve the quality of life today with the need to address federal deficits and position the country for sustainable growth? In light of the circumstances, it is more essential than ever for the Congress and the federal government to accurately identify the nation’s greatest needs and ensure that resources are targeted accordingly and are achieving their intended outcomes. This is particularly important as Americans increasingly turn to their government for help at a time when budgets are tightening. GAO’s work can help the Congress and the federal government address competing demands and challenges; ensure that federal programs are operating as effectively and efficiently as possible; and identify overlap, duplication, and opportunities for cost-savings. To address current and emerging challenges to the well-being and financial security of the American people, GAO has established nine strategic objectives:

Stakeholder(s):

• American People

Objective(s):

1.1: Health Needs

1.1.1: Health Insurance

1.1.2: Medicare

1.1.3: Medicaid

1.1.4: Long-Term Health Care

1.1.5: Health Coverage

1.1.6: VA and DOD Health Care Services

1.1.7: Health Care Quality

1.1.8: Public Health Emergencies

1.2: Lifelong Learning

1.2.1: Educational Needs

1.2.2: Postsecondary Education and Student Aid

1.2.3: Job Opportunities and Employment Skills

1.3: Benefits and Protections

1.3.1: Social Services and Economic and Nutrition Assistance

1.3.2: Worker and Identity Protection

1.3.3: Support for People with Disabilities

1.4: Financial Security

1.4.1: Retirement Security

1.4.2: Pensions and Older Workers

1.4.3: Retirement Security

1.5: Justice System

1.5.1: Justice System Accountability

1.5.2: Terrorism and Crimes

1.5.3: Confinement, Rehabilitation, and Monitoring

1.5.4: Law Enforcement Grants

1.6: Communities

1.6.1: Homeownership and Financial Risk

1.6.2: Rental Housing

1.6.3: Homeless Assistance

1.6.4: Community and Economic Development Assistance

1.6.5: Ssmall and Minority-Owned Business Assistance

1.7: Financial System and Consumer Protection

1.7.1: Financial System

1.7.2: Consumer Protection

1.8: Natural Resources and the Environment

1.8.1: Energy

1.8.2: Land and Water Resources

1.8.3: Environmental Protection

1.8.4: Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes

1.8.5: Food, Farmers, and Agricultural Environmental Damage

1.9: National Infrastructure

1.9.1: Transportation Infrastructure

1.9.2: Safety Improvements

1.9.3: Transportation Systems

1.9.4: Telecommunications

1.9.5: U.S. Postal Service

1.9.6: Government Real Property

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