Using the SOAP Method to Address Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Government Spending: The Role of Elon Musk and DOGE
For decades, Americans have expressed frustration over waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending—a problem siphoning billions of taxpayer dollars each year. In my work as a veterinary internist, I used the SOAP method—Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan—to diagnose and treat complex animal cases. This structured medical approach offers a valuable framework for identifying and addressing systemic issues like government inefficiency.
Today, Elon Musk, through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), are applying this structured, data-driven approach to government spending inefficiencies. By gathering objective data—akin to a clinician’s objective findings—DOGE provides the President and Congress with the facts needed to assess and implement necessary reforms. By applying the SOAP method, we can clearly communicate the scope of government waste and outline actionable steps to correct it, empowering the public to support DOGE’s mission.
What is the SOAP Method?
The SOAP method, widely used in medical practice, provides a systematic framework for documenting patient care:
Subjective (S): The patient’s reported symptoms or concerns, including their history and perspective.
Objective (O): Measurable data, such as test results, vital signs, or clinical observations.
Assessment (A): The clinician’s diagnosis, synthesizing subjective and objective data to identify the problem.
Plan (P): The treatment plan, including interventions, education, and follow-up steps.
For example, in veterinary care, I would diagnose a dog with chronic kidney disease by evaluating symptoms like lethargy and increased thirst (subjective) alongside lab results showing elevated creatinine (objective). From this, I’d assess the condition and plan appropriate treatment.
DOGE serves as the government’s diagnostic tool, gathering objective data to highlight waste, fraud, and abuse, enabling policymakers to assess and address the problem effectively.
Applying SOAP to Government Spending
Subjective (S): Public Concerns Over Government Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
Taxpayers have long voiced frustration over government inefficiency. Hard-earned tax dollars are perceived as squandered on frivolous projects, fraudulent schemes, and bureaucratic bloat. This sentiment isn’t new—prominent politicians across party lines have acknowledged the issue:
Barack Obama: During a 2010 healthcare summit, Obama stated, “We all know there is waste, fraud, and abuse in the system... that we can eliminate without harming beneficiaries.” His administration estimated $60 billion in improper Medicare payments, a figure that remains today.
Nancy Pelosi: At the same summit, Pelosi warned, “We cannot keep our promises on Medicare unless we address the waste, fraud, and abuse that’s draining the system.”
Chuck Schumer: Senator Schumer noted, “The real nub of this is how do we wring that waste out, that fraud, abuse, duplication—without interfering with the good care that we want every person on Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance to get.”
Despite decades of acknowledgment, the problem persists. Public frustration remains evident. On X, @TaxpayersFirst tweeted on March 15, 2025: “Taxpayers are tired of funding waste—$500K for a shrimp treadmill study? Time for real reform! #DOGE” DOGE aims to address this public demand for accountability.
Objective (O): DOGE’s Data Collection and Findings
In the SOAP framework, objective data offers measurable evidence to inform assessment and planning. DOGE’s role is to collect and present this objective data to policymakers—providing the factual basis the President and Congress need to evaluate government spending efficiently.
Key Data Points:
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report (2024): The federal government loses between $233 billion to $521 billion annually to fraud, with $236 billion in improper payments in 2023 alone. Medicare accounts for $60 billion in improper payments.
Pentagon Audit Failures: Bloomberg reported in 2024 that the Pentagon failed its audit again, with $3.8 trillion in unaccounted assets. In 2016, the Washington Post highlighted $125 billion in administrative waste in the Department of Defense.
DOGE Findings (2025):
$2 trillion in potential cuts identified, including $500 billion in discretionary spending and $200 billion from eliminating 500,000 federal jobs.
$1.2 billion annually on diversity consultants, labeled by Musk as “non-essential.”
Inefficiencies in the federal retirement system, with 700 workers manually processing 10,000 applications per month at a Pennsylvania limestone mine.
$59.3 million in FEMA payments for migrant hotel costs in New York City, which Musk argued violated a presidential executive order, prompting clawback actions.
Historical examples reinforce the problem: a 2018 congressional inquiry found the Air Force spent $1,300 per reheatable coffee cup—totaling $32,000 for 25 cups. During the pandemic, $12 billion in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans were identified.
DOGE’s role is to compile this objective data and present it to policymakers, providing the factual foundation for assessment and decision-making.
Assessment (A): Diagnosing the Government Spending Problem
Based on public sentiment and objective data, the assessment is clear: systemic waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending cost taxpayers billions annually and erode trust in government. Key contributing factors include:
Lack of Accountability: Persistent audit failures and improper payments highlight systemic issues.
Bureaucratic Inefficiency: Manual processes and outdated technology inflate costs and slow operations.
Political Resistance: Federal unions and politicians benefiting from pork-barrel projects resist reform.
Misaligned Priorities: Questionable spending on non-essential programs diverts funds from critical needs.
DOGE, by collecting and presenting objective data, serves as the diagnostic test confirming these systemic inefficiencies—just as lab results confirm a medical diagnosis.
Plan (P): A Path Forward with DOGE’s Leadership
Like a clinician’s treatment plan, the government needs a structured plan to address inefficiencies, informed by DOGE’s objective data.
Data Presentation to Policymakers:
Congress: DOGE should deliver its $2 trillion cut proposal, including $500 billion in discretionary spending cuts and $200 billion from payroll reductions. Mandatory annual audits for all agencies should be legislated.
President: Brief the President on inefficiencies, including diversity consultant costs and manual retirement processes, recommending executive orders for system modernization.
Taxpayers: A public campaign on X, sharing DOGE’s findings: “DOGE identified $2T in waste—$1,300 per coffee cup? Let’s demand reform! #DOGE” Transparency builds public support for reform.
Implement Targeted Reforms:
Automate outdated processes like the retirement application system.
Strengthen fraud prevention using AI technology.
Redirect savings to critical infrastructure and tax relief.
Build Bipartisan and Public Support:
Highlight bipartisan acknowledgment of waste, fraud, and abuse.
Engage citizens through town halls and social media campaigns.
Address Resistance and Misinformation:
Counter political criticism by emphasizing DOGE’s non-partisan, data-driven approach.
Monitor Progress: Regularly assess the impact of reforms and adjust strategies accordingly.
Conclusion
Using the SOAP method, DOGE gathers objective data—providing policymakers with the evidence they need to assess and address government inefficiency. Under Elon Musk’s leadership, DOGE offers a data-driven, transparent path to reform, giving taxpayers confidence that their dollars are spent wisely and efficiently.
