article_snippet: The level of improper payments was a new high after several years of declines.
article_snippet: The federal government's increase in improper payments comes after three years of steady declines.
article_snippet: The Obama administration says reducing improper payments is a priority. '
article_snippet: While progress has been made over the years, the time has come for a more aggressive strategy to reduce the levels of improper payments we currently are seeing,' said Mader.