Statement on the Congressional Passage of the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 16, 2026 – The Data Foundation applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for final congressional passage of the bipartisan Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act (S. 269). If enacted, this bill will enable the Social Security Administration to share the Death Master File (DMF) with the Department of the Treasury's Do Not Pay  system—a reform that already demonstrated value by recovering $31 million in fraud and improper payments during the policy’s first five months of implementation. 

The Do Not Pay system has proven to be a valuable tool for enhancing payment integrity by bringing together federal data sources to help agencies verify eligibility and prevent improper payments before they occur. As the Data Foundation highlighted in our August 2024 report, "Strengthening Payment Integrity: Enhancing Do Not Pay with High-Quality Data," the system's effectiveness depends fundamentally on access to timely, accurate data—particularly death records. This legislation is therefore vital to unlocking Do Not Pay's full potential to protect taxpayer dollars and strengthen payment integrity across the federal government.

"The Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act represents exactly the kind of data-driven approach to government efficiency that we champion at the Data Foundation," said Nick Hart, President and CEO of the Data Foundation. "By permanently connecting high-quality death data with payment systems, this legislation addresses a fundamental data infrastructure challenge that has long undermined federal payment integrity. On behalf of our Data Coalition members, we urge President Donald Trump to sign this bill into law to support evidence-based efficiencies in federal programs."

Dr. Hart's work has highlighted the critical importance of timely, accurate death data for government operations. As a panelist on the National Academy of Public Administration's 2022 report on sources and access to state death data, Dr. Hart contributed to research examining how improved intergovernmental data sharing could reduce improper payments and strengthen program administration. The NAPA report identified options for better connecting state vital records with federal payment systems—precisely the kind of infrastructure this legislation builds upon.

This legislation takes an essential step forward by ensuring permanent access to comprehensive death data. The Data Foundation urges President Trump to swiftly sign the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act into law.

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About the Data Foundation

The Data Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that champions the use of open data and evidence-informed public policy to make society better for everyone. As a nonpartisan think tank, we conduct research, collaborative thought leadership, and advocacy programs that advance practical policies for the creation and use of accessible, trustworthy data. Our activities proactively address emerging data-related needs in the country with the goal of devising realistic solutions, accelerating policy coordination, and advancing innovation. The Data Foundation is recognized by Candid Guidestar with the Platinum Seal of Transparency and received 4-Stars from Charity Navigator. To learn more, visit www.datafoundation.org. (LEI: 254900I43CTC59RFW495)