Federal Register News

News from the past 120 days.

Health Marketing--New--National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM), Coordinating Center for Health Information and Service (CCHIS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
May 14, 2008 -- The CDC is requesting comments and recommendations on the request by NCHM on a 3-year approval for the generic concept of health marketing to provide feedback on the development, implementation and satisfaction regarding public health services, products, communication campaigns and information.

Department of Housing and Urban Development; Notice of Fiscal Year 2008 SuperNOFA for HUD's Discretionary Programs     Top Story 
May 12, 2008 -- Today's publication contains the 36 funding opportunities that constitute HUD's FY2008 SuperNOFA, and also provides a revised Appendix A that lists the programs contained in the FY2008 SuperNOFA and corrects two items contained in the General Section published on March 19, 2008.

Changes for Long-Term Care Hospitals Required by Certain Provisions of the Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP Extension Act of 2007: 3-Year Delay in the Application of Payment Adjustments for Short Stay Outliers and Changes to the Standard Federal Rate
May 6, 2008 -- This interim final rule with comment period implements certain provisions of section 114 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 relating to long term care hospitals (LTCHs). These provisions include a 3-year delay in the application of certain provisions of the payment adjustment for short-stay outliers and revisions to the RY 2008 standard Federal rate.

Notice; Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers: Implementation of the HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program
May 6, 2008 -- This Notice sets forth the policies and procedures for the administration of tenant-based Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance under the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program administered by local public housing agencies (PHAs) that have partnered with local Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers.

Department of Agriculture; Notice of Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
May 5, 2008 -- This agenda provides summary descriptions of significant and not significant regulations being developed in agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) including the Rural Housing Service.

Department of Health and Human Services; Notice of Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
May 5, 2008 -- The purpose of the publication of the agenda is to encourage public participation in the regulatory process by providing, at as early a stage as possible, summarized information about regulatory actions under consideration.

Department of Housing and Urban Development; Notice of Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
May 5, 2008 -- The purpose of publication of the agenda is to encourage more effective public participation in the regulatory process by providing the public with advance information about pending regulatory activities.

Centers for Independent Living; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards
May 2, 2008 -- This program from the Department of Education provides support for planning, conducting, administering, and evaluating centers for independent living (centers).
Learn more about: Centers for Independent Living

Department of Transportation; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Comment Request
May 2, 2008 -- This proposal would amend Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations on uniform administrative requirements for grants and agreements with institutions of higher education, hospitals and other non-profit organizations. Specifically, the DOT proposes to make requirements for these grants and agreements consistent with the requirements for grants and cooperative agreements to state and local governments.

Bureau of Indian Affairs; Housing Improvement Program; Proposed Collection; Comment Request
May 1, 2008 -- The Bureau of Indian Affairs is requesting comments on information collected from applicants under the housing improvement program whose regulations provides eligibility and selection data used by the local servicing housing office to establish whether an applicant is eligible to receive services.

Medicare Program; Proposed Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2009; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
May 1, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on this rule that proposes the hospice wage index for fiscal year 2009 and also proposes to phase-out the Medicare hospice budget neutrality adjustment factor and clarify two wage index issues, pertaining to the definition of rural and urban areas and to multi-campus hospital facilities.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); Notice of Information Collection Request; Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and the Indian Health Service (IHS); Comment Request
Apr 30, 2008 -- Comments are being requested from the Bureau of Indian Affairs on Form 4432, the Indian Preference Form used to encourage qualified Indians to seek employment with the BIA and the IHS by offering preferential treatment to qualified candidates of Indian heritage.

Medicare Program; Proposed Changes to the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems and Fiscal Year 2009 Rates; Proposed Changes to Disclosure of Physician Ownership in Hospitals and Physician; Self-Referral Rules; Comment Request     Top Story 
Apr 30, 2008 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are requesting comments on Proposed Changes to the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems and Fiscal Year 2009 Rates; Proposed Changes to Disclosure of Physician Ownership in Hospitals and Physician Self-Referral Rules; Proposed Collection of Information Regarding Financial Relationships Between Hospitals and Physicians.

Notice of Availability of Funds, Multi-Family Housing, Single Family Housing; Notice; Correction
Apr 30, 2008 -- The Rural Housing Service published a document in the Federal Register on March 28, 2008, announcing the availability of housing funds for fiscal year 2008. The document contained incorrect percentage allocations under the heading for Single Family Housing (SFH).

Notice of Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Opportunity to Register and Other Important Information for Electronic Application Submission for Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs
Apr 30, 2008 -- For fiscal year (FY) 2008, HUD will require Continuums of Care to submit their applications electronically, using e-snaps, an electronic system separate from Grants.gov. This Notice provides detailed instructions on completing the Continuum of Care (CoC) registration process for e-snaps and also provides applicants important information, including definitions and the necessary CoC planning process, that CoC and project applicants should be familiar with prior to applying for FY2008 CoC Homeless Assistance funding. Finally, today's Notice provides information about the major changes that HUD will make to the FY2008 CoC Homeless Assistance competition.

Proposed Project: National Health Service Corps Recruitment and Retention Assistance Application (OMB No. 0915-0230)--Extension; Comment Request
Apr 30, 2008 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration is requesting comments on the National Health Service Corps Clinical Retention Information form that requests information on the practice site, sponsoring agency, recruitment contact, staffing levels, service users, charges for services, employment policies, and fiscal management capabilities.

Health Resources and Services Administration Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority
Apr 28, 2008 -- This notice reflects organizational changes in the Health Resources and Services Administration.

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research--Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program--Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs); Notice of Proposed Priorities for RRTCs; Comment Request
Apr 28, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services on certain proposed funding priorities for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program administered by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Fiscal Year 2008; Rural Housing and Economic Development Program; Notice
Apr 28, 2008 -- This publication establishes the funding criteria for the FY2008 Rural Housing and Economic Development Program. Because HUD is required by statute to competitively award RHED assistance by September 1, 2008, HUD has decided to publish this NOFA separately and in advance of its FY2008 Notice of Funding Availability for HUD's Discretionary Programs (SuperNOFA).
Learn more about: Rural Housing and Economic Development Program

Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2009; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Apr 25, 2008 -- Comments are being requested on this proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that would update the prospective payment rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2009 (for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2008 and on or before September 30, 2009).

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Apr 25, 2008 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless

Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2009 Service Area Competition--New and Competing Continuation Funding     Top Story 
Apr 24, 2008 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration is announcing the reissuance of Fiscal Year 2009 Service Area Competition--New and Competing Continuation Funding (HRSA Announcement Numbers HRSA-09-095, HRSA-09-096, HRSA-09-097, and HRSA-09-098). The HRSA Electronic Handbook (EHB) application deadline for project periods beginning in November and December 2008 has been changed and the list of available service areas has been updated.

National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services; Notice of Meeting     Top Story 
Apr 24, 2008 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration announces a public meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services to be held June 2-4, 2008 at the Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill, NC.

National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality: Request for Nominations for Public Members
Apr 23, 2008 -- The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is requesting nominations for the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality. Nominations should be received on or before June 15, 2008.

Designation of Medically Underserved Populations and Health Professional Shortage Areas; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Extension of Public Comment     Top Story 
Apr 21, 2008 -- On February 29, 2008, HHS published a notice of proposed rulemaking, "Designation of Medically Underserved Populations and Health Professional Shortage Areas" (73 FR 11232), to revise and consolidate the criteria and processes for designating medically underserved populations (MUPs) and health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). HHS provided a 60-day public comment period, with written comments to be received on or before April 29, 2008. HHS and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have received requests for an extension of the comment period. In consideration of these requests, HHS is extending the comment period an additional 30 days, with a new closing date of May 29, 2008.

Notice of Funds Availability Section 538 Multi-Family Housing Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP)--Demonstration Program for Fiscal Year 2008
Apr 21, 2008 -- In this notice the Rural Housing Service announces the implementation of a demonstration program to test the viability and efficacy of the concept of a continuous loan note guarantee through the construction and permanent loan financing phases of a project.
Learn more about: Section 538 Multi-Family Housing Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP)--Demonstration Program for Fiscal Year 2008

Medicare Program; Modification to the Weighting Methodology Used to Calculate the Low-Income Benchmark Amount; Correction of Final Rule
Apr 17, 2008 -- This document corrects mathematical errors that appeared in the impact analysis accompanying the final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on April 3, 2008 entitled, "Modification to the Weighting Methodology Used to Calculate the Low-Income Benchmark Amount."

Draft OIG Supplemental Compliance Program Guidance for Nursing Facilities; Proposed Notice
Apr 16, 2008 -- This Federal Register proposed notice seeks the comments of interested parties on a draft supplemental compliance program guidance (CPG) for nursing facilities developed by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority
Apr 15, 2008 -- This statement of organization, functions and delegations of authority is amended to reflect the reorganization of the National Center for Health Marketing, Coordinating Center for Health Information and Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Conditions for Coverage for End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities; Final Rule
Apr 15, 2008 -- This rule finalizes the February 4, 2005 proposed rule entitled "Medicare Program; Conditions for Coverage for End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities." It establishes new conditions for coverage that dialysis facilities must meet to be certified under the Medicare program.

Medicare Program; Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit; Final Rule
Apr 15, 2008 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services codifies clarifications of existing policies associated with the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (also known as Medicare Part D).

Developmental Disabilities Program; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Apr 10, 2008 -- Comments are being requested from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Administration for Children and Families on a proposed rule that proposes clarifications and new requirements to implement the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act of 2000).

Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Rural Health Care Support Mechanism; Final Rule; Petition for Reconsideration
Apr 10, 2008 -- In this document, the FCC grants American Telemedicine Association's Petition for Reconsideration in part and extends for three years the Commission's prior determination to grandfather those health care providers who were eligible under the Commission's definition of "rural" prior to the Second Report and Order.

Notice: "Low Income Levels" Used for Various Health Professions and Nursing Programs Included in Titles III, VII, and VIII of the Public Health Service Act
Apr 10, 2008 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is updating income levels used to identify a "low income family" for the purpose of determining eligibility for programs that provide health professions and nursing training for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Rural Housing Service, USDA; Income Limit Modification; Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Comment Request
Apr 10, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by the Rural Housing Service on a proposal to revise the existing income limit structure for Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) eligibility.

Administration for Native Americans (ANA); Notice of Issuance of Final Policy Directive
Apr 9, 2008 -- In this notice the ANA describes its issuance of final interpretive rules, general statements of policy, and rules of agency procedure or practice relating to the Social and Economic Development Strategies, Native Language Preservation and Maintenance, Environmental Regulatory Enhancement programs, Environmental Mitigation, and Native American Healthy Marriage Initiative.

Bureau of Indian Affairs; Job Placement and Training Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Apr 9, 2008 -- Comments are being requested on this rule that would consolidate requirements governing the Employment Assistance Program and the Adult Vocational Training Program.

Child Nutrition Programs--Income Eligibility Guidelines; Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
Apr 9, 2008 -- This Notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk for the period from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): Income Eligibility Guidelines
Apr 8, 2008 -- The Department of Agriculture announces adjusted income eligibility guidelines to be used by State agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC).

Medicare Program; Standards for E-Prescribing Under Medicare Part D and Identification of Backward Compatible Version of Adopted Standard for E-Prescribing and the Medicare Prescriptions Drug Program (Version 8.1); Final Rule
Apr 7, 2008 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services adopts uniform standards for medication history, formulary and benefits, and fill status notification (RxFill) for the Medicare Part D electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) drug program.

Medicaid Program: Home and Community-Based State Plan Services; Proposed Rule
Apr 4, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on a proposed rule that would amend the Medicaid regulations to define and describe home and community-based State plan services implementing new section 1915(i) of the Social Security Act as added by section 6086 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

Medicare Program; Modification to the Weighting Methodology Used to Calculate the Low-Income Benchmark Amount; Final Rule
Apr 3, 2008 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services changes the weighting methodology used to calculate the low-income benchmark premium amount for 2009 and thereafter.

Federal Reimbursement of Emergency Health Services Furnished to Undocumented Aliens; Comment Request
Apr 1, 2008 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are requesting comments on the revision of a currently approved collection titled Federal Reimbursement of Emergency Health Services Furnished to Undocumented Aliens (Sections 1011) Provider Enrollment Application.

Medicaid Program; Final State Allotments for Payment of Medicare Part B Premiums for Qualifying Individuals for Federal Fiscal Year 2007
Apr 1, 2008 -- This Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sets forth the methodology and process used to compute and issue each State's final allotment for fiscal year (FY) 2007 that is available to pay Medicare Part B premiums for qualifying individuals.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances--October Through December 2007
Apr 1, 2008 -- This notice lists CMS manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and other Federal Register notices that were published from October 2007 through December 2007, relating to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Rural Utilities Service; Water and Waste Loan and Grant Program; Notice and Request for Comments
Apr 1, 2008 -- The Rural Utilities Service is requesting comments on the Water and Waste Loan and Grant Program that makes loans to public agencies, nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes to fund water and waste disposal projects serving the most financially needy rural communities.

Tribal Management Grant Program; Notice of Funding Availability
Apr 1, 2008 -- The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces competitive grant applications for the Tribal Management Grant (TMG) Program to assist Federally-recognized Tribes and Tribally-sanctioned Tribal organizations in assuming all or part of existing IHS programs, services, functions, and activities (PSFA) through a Title I contract and to assist established Title I contractors and Title V compactors to further develop and improve their management capability.
Learn more about: Tribal Management Grant Program

Changes in Maximum Mortgage Limits for Multifamily Housing; Final Rule
Mar 31, 2008 -- This rule conforms HUD's regulations to a recent statutory increase in the amount by which HUD may increase the dollar amount limitations on insured mortgages for multifamily housing.

Indian Health Service, HHS; Reimbursement Rates for Calendar Year 2008
Mar 31, 2008 -- Notice is given that the Director of Indian Health Service has approved the rates for inpatient and outpatient medical care provided by IHS facilities for Calendar Year 2008 for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and beneficiaries of other Federal programs.

Indian Health Service; Elder Care Initiative Long-Term Care Grant Program; Notice of Funding Availability
Mar 31, 2008 -- The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces the availability of up to $600,000 for competitive grants through the Elder Care Initiative Long Term Care (ECILTC) Grant Program to support planning and implementation of sustainable long-term care services for American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/AN) elders.
Learn more about: Elder Care Initiative Long Term Care Grant Program

Tribal Self-Governance Program Planning Cooperative Agreement; Notice of Funding Availability
Mar 31, 2008 -- The purpose of this program from the Indian Health Services is to award cooperative agreements that provide planning resources to Tribes interested in participating in the Tribal Self-Governance Program (TSGP) by allowing Tribes to assume more control of Indian Health Service (IHS) programs and services through compacts negotiated with the IRS.
Learn more about: Tribal Self-Governance Program Planning Cooperative Agreement

Tribal Self-Governance Program; Negotiation Cooperative Agreement; Notice of Funding Opportunity
Mar 31, 2008 -- The purpose of this program from the Indian Health Service is to award cooperative agreements that provide negotiation resources to Tribes interested in participating in the Tribal Self-Governance Program (TSGP).
Learn more about: Tribal Self-Governance Program Negotiation Cooperative Agreement

Emergency Comment Request; Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Application
Mar 28, 2008 -- This Notice informs the public that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has submitted for emergency processing, a proposed information collection requirement in which the information is to be used in the rating, ranking, and selection of proposals submitted to HUD by state and local governments, public housing authorities, and nonprofit organizations for awarded funds under the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance programs.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Approval of the Community Health Accreditation Program for Continued Deeming Authority for Home Health Agencies; Final Notice
Mar 28, 2008 -- This final notice announces the decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to approve the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) for recognition as a national accreditation program for home health agencies (HHAs) seeking to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Approval of the Joint Commission for Continued Deeming Authority for Home Health Agencies; Final Notice
Mar 28, 2008 -- This final notice announces the decision of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to approve The Joint Commission for recognition as a national accreditation program for home health agencies (HHAs) seeking to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

Notice of Availability of Funds; USDA Rural Housing Service; Multi-Family Housing, Single Family Housing Grants and Loans     Top Story 
Mar 28, 2008 -- The USDA Rural Housing Service announces the availability of housing grants and loans for a broad range of programs that support housing, and assisted housing for fiscal year (FY) 2008.
Learn more about: Rural Housing Service, USDA; Multi-Family Housing, Single Family Housing Grants and Loans

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Mar 28, 2008 -- This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless

Projects With Industry (PWI) Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Mar 28, 2008 -- The Department of Education announces that applications are available for the Projects With Industry program with funding to organizations that provide job and career opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Learn more about: Projects With Industry Program

HUD's Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 NOFA for the HOPE VI Revitalization Grants Program; Notice
Mar 26, 2008 -- This notice from HUD announces the availability of funding for the HOPE VI Program to assist public housing authorities (PHAs) to build sustainable communities by improving the living environment for public housing residents, revitalize housing sites, and provide housing that will avoid or decrease the concentration of very low-income families.
Learn more about: HOPE VI Revitalization Grants Program

Medicare and State Health Care Programs: Fraud and Abuse; Issuance of Advisory Opinions by OIG; Interim Final Rule with Comment Period
Mar 26, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) on a final rule regarding fraud and abuse of the Medicare and State Health Care Programs.

Rural Housing Service; Notice of USDA Voucher Program Availability
Mar 24, 2008 -- This notice informs the public that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established a demonstration USDA Rural Development Voucher Program, and also sets forth the general policies and procedures for use of these vouchers by low-income households.

Notice of HUD's Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA); Policy Requirements and General Section to HUD's FY2008 NOFAs for Discretionary Programs     Top Story 
Mar 19, 2008 -- This notice provides prospective applicants for HUD competitive funding with the opportunity to become familiar with the General Section of HUD's FY2008 NOFAs, in advance of publication of any FY2008 NOFAs.

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview Information, Training and Information for Parents of Children With Disabilities; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for (FY) 2008; Technical Assistance for the Parent Centers
Mar 19, 2008 -- Priority 2 will fund seven technical assistance for parent centers, through cooperative agreements, in two focus areas. Under Focus Area 1, the Department intends to fund one National Technical Assistance Center for Parent Centers (National Parent TAC); and under Focus Area 2, the Department intends to support six Regional Technical Assistance Centers for Parent Centers (Regional Parent TACs).
Learn more about: Training and Information for Parents of Children With Disabilities--Technical Assistance for the Parent Centers

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Training and Information for Parents of Children With Disabilities; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for (FY) 2008; Community Parent Resource Centers
Mar 19, 2008 -- The purpose of this program from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services is to ensure that parents of children with disabilities receive training and information to help improve results for their children.
Learn more about: Training and Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities--Community Parent Resource Centers

Community Facilities Grant Program; Interim Final Rule with Request for Comments
Mar 17, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by the Rural Housing Service on this rule that sets forth the regulation changes for the Community Facilities Grant program, which is available to rural communities impacted by a Presidentially declared disaster.

Medicare Program; Application of Certain Appeals Provisions to the Medicare Prescription Drug Appeals Process; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Mar 17, 2008 -- Comments are being requested on this rule that proposes the procedures that the Department of Health and Human Services would follow at the Administrative Law Judge and Medicare Appeals Council levels in deciding appeals brought by individuals who have enrolled in the Medicare prescription drug benefit program and the reopening procedures that would be followed at all levels of appeal.

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Mar 17, 2008 -- This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless

Independent Rural Health Center/Freestanding Federally Qualified Health Center Cost Report and Supporting Regulations 42 CFR 413.20 and 42 CFR 413.24; Extension of Currently Approved Collection
Mar 14, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding Form CMS-222 cost report that is needed to determine the amount of reasonable cost due to the providers for furnishing medical services to Medicare beneficiaries.

Correction; Notice of Funds Availability for the Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants for Fiscal Year 2008
Mar 12, 2008 -- Notice of correction in the Federal Register of February 20, 2008, the listing for the Rural Development Oregon State Office, address, telephone number and person to contact should read: Oregon State Office, 1201 NE., Lloyd Blvd., Suite 801, Portland, OR 97232-1274, (503) 414-3340, TDD (503)414-3387, Barb Brandon.

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Section 514 Farm Labor Housing Loans and Section 516 Farm Labor Housing Grants for Off-Farm Housing for Fiscal Year 2008
Mar 12, 2008 -- This NOFA announces the timeframe to submit pre-applications for section 514 Farm Labor Housing (FLH) loans and section 516 FLH grants for the construction of new off-farm FLH units and related facilities for domestic farm laborers.
Learn more about: Section 514 Farm Labor Housing Loans and Section 516 Farm Labor Housing Grants for Off-Farm Housing for Fiscal Year 2008

Notice of Funding Availability: Section 514, 515, and 516 Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Demonstration Program (MPR) for Fiscal Year 2008
Mar 12, 2008 -- The Rural Housing Service announces the availability of funds and the timeframe to submit applications to participate in a demonstration program to preserve and revitalize existing rural rental housing projects financed by Rural Development under Section 515, Section 514, and Section 516 of the Housing Act of 1949.
Learn more about: Section 514, 515, and 516 Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Demonstration Program (MPR) for Fiscal Year 2008

Notice: Meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality
Mar 12, 2008 -- This notice announces that a public meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality meeting will be held on Friday, April 4, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Rockville, Maryland.

Rural Housing Service; Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Program for New Construction in Fiscal Year 2008
Mar 12, 2008 -- This NOFA announces the timeframe to submit applications for Section 515 Rural Rental Housing (RRH) loan funds, including applications for the nonprofit set-aside for eligible nonprofit entities, the set-aside for the most Underserved Counties and Colonias (Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act), and the set-aside for Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/ECs) and Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) zones, and a designated reserve for states with rental assistance programs.
Learn more about: Rural Housing Service (RHS): Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Program for New Construction in Fiscal Year 2008

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Notice of Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Opportunity to Register Early and Other Important Information for Electronic Application Submission Via Grants.gov.
Mar 10, 2008 -- This notice provides instructions to potential applicants applying for funding under HUD's grant programs available through Grants.gov.

Health Resources and Services Administration; Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority
Mar 10, 2008 -- This notice updates the mission statement of the Bureau of Health Professions and updates the functional statements of the Bureau of Health Professions.

Tribal Energy Resource Agreements Under the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act; Final Rule
Mar 10, 2008 -- The Secretary of the Interior is promulgating final regulations providing that Indian tribes, at their discretion, may enter into business agreements and leases for energy resource development and grant rights-of-way for pipelines or electric transmission or distribution lines on tribal land without the Secretary's review and approval.

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Mar 7, 2008 -- This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless

Inviting Applications for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans
Mar 6, 2008 -- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces it is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements for agriculture producers and rural small businesses in eligible rural areas.
Learn more about: Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans

Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools; Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC) Programs for Native Hawaiians; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Mar 6, 2008 -- SDFSC Programs for Native Hawaiians awards grants to organizations primarily serving and representing Native Hawaiians to plan, conduct, and administer programs to prevent or reduce violence, the use, possession and distribution of illegal drugs, or delinquency.

Notice of State Median Income Estimates for FFY 2009 for Use Under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Mar 5, 2008 -- This notice from the Administration for Children and Families announces the estimated median income for four-person families in each State and the District of Columbia for FFY 2009 (October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009) that provides one of the maximum income criteria that LIHEAP grantees may use in determining a household's income eligibility for LIHEAP.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); Notice of a New System of Records (SOR); "Medicaid Integrity Program System (MIPS),''; Comment Request
Mar 4, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by CMS on a proposal to establish a new SOR titled, "Medicaid Integrity Program System (MIPS)," whose primary purpose is to establish an accurate, current, and comprehensive database containing standardized enrollment, eligibility, and paid claims of Medicaid beneficiaries to assist in the detection of fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

High-Cost Universal Service Support; Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Comment Request
Mar 4, 2008 -- In this document, the Federal Communications Commission seeks comment on the merits of using reverse auctions (a form of competitive bidding) to determine the amount of high-cost universal service support provided to eligible telecommunications carriers serving rural, insular, and high-cost areas.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): Implementation of Nondiscretionary WIC Certification and General Administrative Provisions; Interim Final Rule; Comment Request
Mar 3, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by the USDA on this interim final rule that amends the regulations for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) by implementing most of the nondiscretionary provisions of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 that address participant certification and general program administration in the WIC Program.

Designation of Medically Underserved Populations and Health Professional Shortage Areas; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Comment Request
Feb 29, 2008 -- Comments are being requested on this proposed rule by the Health Resources and Services Administration that would revise and consolidate the criteria and processes for designating medically underserved populations (MUPs) and health professional shortage areas (HPSAs), designations that are used in a wide variety of Federal government programs.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); Notice of Provider Non-Coverage (CMS-10123) and Detailed Explanation of Non-Coverage (CMS-10124); Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Feb 28, 2008 -- Comments are being requested from CMS on a proposed collection of the Notice of Medicare Provider Non-Coverage (CMS-10123) that is used to inform fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries of the determination that their provider services will end, and of their right to an expedited review of that determination.

Indian Health Service; Notice of Funding Availability for Health Professions Preparatory, Health Professions Pregraduate and Indian Health Professions Scholarship Programs     Top Story 
Feb 28, 2008 -- The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces funding deadlines for students to apply for grants that encourage American Indians and Alaska Natives to enter the health professions and to assure the availability of Indian health professionals to serve Indians.

National Rural Transportation Assistance Program Request for Proposals
Feb 26, 2008 -- The Federal Transit Administration is requesting proposals for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement the National Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP).
Learn more about: National Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Correction of Final Rule with Comment Period
Feb 22, 2008 -- Comments are being requested on this document that corrects technical errors that appeared in the final rule with comment period published in the Federal Register on November 27, 2007, entitled "Changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and CY 2008 Payment Rates, the Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System and CY 2008 Payment Rates, the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System and FY 2008 Payment Rates; and Payments for Graduate Medical Education for Affiliated Teaching Hospitals in Certain Emergency Situations Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Conditions of Participation; Necessary Provider Designations of Critical Access Hospitals."

Medicaid Program; Health Care-Related Taxes; Final Rule
Feb 22, 2008 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services revises the collection threshold under the regulatory indirect guarantee hold harmless arrangement test to reflect the provisions of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006.

Medicaid Program; Premiums and Cost Sharing; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Feb 22, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on a proposed rule that would implement and interpret the provisions of sections 6041, 6042, and 6043 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), and section 405(a)(1) of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (TRHCA).

Medicaid Program; State Flexibility for Medicaid Benefit Packages; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Feb 22, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on a proposed rule that would implement provisions of section 6044 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109-171, which amends the Social Security Act by adding a new section 1937 related to the coverage of medical assistance under approved State plans.

Medicare Program; Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Amendments; Final Rule
Feb 22, 2008 -- In this final rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are finalizing several clarifications made to the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) provisions. In addition, they are responding to public comments on the February 24, 2006 interim final rule with comment period that pertain to these MSP provisions.

Medicare Program; Prior Determination for Certain Items and Services; Final Rule
Feb 22, 2008 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services establishes a process for Medicare contractors to provide eligible participating physicians and beneficiaries with a determination of coverage relating to medical necessity for certain physicians' services before the services are furnished.

Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Feb 20, 2008 -- The purpose of this Department of Education program is to provide grants for vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities who are migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and to the family members who are residing with those individuals.
Learn more about: Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Program

Notice of Funds Availability for the Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants for Fiscal Year 2008
Feb 20, 2008 -- The Rural Housing Service (RHS) announces that it is soliciting applications under the Housing Preservation Grant program with funding to assist very low- and low-income homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes in rural areas.
Learn more about: Rural Housing Preservation Grants (Section 533) for Fiscal Year 2008

Proposed Project: Data Collection Tool for Rural Health Community-Based Grant Programs: (New); Comment Request     Top Story 
Feb 20, 2008 -- Comments are being requested from the Office of Rural Health Policy on program performance measures for (1) The Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program, (2) the Rural Health Network Development Program, (3) the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grant Program, (4) the Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program, and (5) the Network Development Planning Grant Program.

Solicitation for Nominations for New Clinical Preventive Health Topics to be Considered for Review by the United States Preventive Services Task Force
Feb 20, 2008 -- The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invites individuals and organizations to nominate primary and secondary prevention topics pertaining to clinical preventive services that they would like the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) to consider for review.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Notice of Meeting of the National Advisory Council
Feb 20, 2008 -- This meeting is open to the public and will include a SAMHSA Administrator's report, and discussions on current legislative, budget and reauthorization issues.

Announcement of Fund Availability Under the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program
Feb 15, 2008 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs is announcing the availability of funds for applications for assistance under the "Per Diem Only" component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.
Learn more about: VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program

Announcement of Funding Availability for the Capital Grant Component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program
Feb 15, 2008 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funds for applications for assistance under the Capital Grant component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.
Learn more about: Capital Grant Component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program

Full-Service Community Schools Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Feb 15, 2008 -- This Department of Education notice invites applications for the Full-Service Community Schools Program that encourages coordination of educational, developmental, family, health, and other services through partnerships between schools and community-based organizations and public or private entities.

HIPAA Standards for Electronic Transactions; Extension of Currently Approved Collection; Comment Request; (Number 4 on List)
Feb 15, 2008 -- Comments are being requested on this collection from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that establishes standards for electronic transactions and for code sets to be used in those transactions. The collection standardizes the approximately 400 formats of electronic health care claims used in the United States.

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Feb 15, 2008 -- This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless.

Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule, Other Changes to Payment Under Part B, and Revisions to Payment Policies for Ambulance Services for CY 2008 (42 CFR 424.36--Signature Requirements); Comment Request
Feb 15, 2008 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requesting comments regarding a revision to the payment policy for ambulance services signature requirements.

Notice of Funding Opportunity; Demonstration Project for Healthy Lifestyles in Youth
Feb 13, 2008 -- The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces funding for one cooperative agreement, for Tribes or Tribal organizations to promote healthy lifestyles among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth using the curriculum "Together Raising Awareness for Indian Life" (TRAIL) among selected Boys and Girls Club sites.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Patient Safety and Quality Improvement; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Feb 12, 2008 -- This document proposes regulations to implement certain aspects of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005. The proposed regulations establish a framework by which hospitals, doctors, and other health care providers may voluntarily report information to Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs), on a privileged and confidential basis, for analysis of patient safety events as well as outlining the requirements that entities must meet to become PSOs and the processes for the Secretary to review and accept certifications and to list PSOs.

Notice of Deadline for Submitting Completed Applications to Begin Participation in the Tribal Self-Governance Program in Fiscal Year 2009 or Calendar Year 2009
Feb 12, 2008 -- In this notice, the Office of Self-Governance (OSG) of the Bureau of Indian Affairs establishes a March 3, 2008, deadline for tribes/consortia to submit completed applications to begin participation in the tribal self- governance program in fiscal year 2009 or calendar year 2009.

Technical Corrections to Fiscal Year 2007 NOFA for the Public Housing Neighborhood Networks Program.
Feb 11, 2008 -- On December 11, 2007, HUD published its Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Public Housing Neighborhood Networks Program. In today's Federal Register notice, HUD announces that it has removed the Adobe application from Grants.gov for this NOFA, extended the deadline date to March 14, 2008 for submission of applications, and clarifies why the Adobe package has been removed.

Announcement of Rural Cooperative Development Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels
Feb 8, 2008 -- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of Rural Cooperative Development Grants for the establishment and operation of Centers that have the expertise or who can contract out for the expertise to assist individuals or entities in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of cooperative businesses.
Learn more about: Rural Cooperative Development Grants (RCDG)

Announcement of Small, Minority Producer Grant Program Application Deadlines
Feb 8, 2008 -- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of approximately $1.463 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2008 for cooperatives and associations of cooperatives to assist small, minority agricultural producers.
Learn more about: Small Minority Producer Grant Program

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Feb 8, 2008 -- This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless.

Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Farmers' Market Promotion Program (FMPP)
Feb 7, 2008 -- The Agricultural Marketing Service announces funding of approximately $1 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.
Learn more about: Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)

Indian Education Demonstration Grants for Indian Children; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Feb 6, 2008 -- The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to projects that develop, test, and demonstrate the effectiveness of services and programs to improve the educational opportunities and achievement of preschool, elementary, and secondary Indian students.
Learn more about: Indian Education Demonstration Grants for Indian Children

Medicare Program; Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program; Solicitation of Additional Participants     Top Story 
Feb 6, 2008 -- This notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces a solicitation for up to six additional hospitals to participate in the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program for the remainder of the 5-year time period that is currently scheduled to end in 2010.
Learn more about: Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program

Reauthorization of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program; Final Rule
Feb 5, 2008 -- This final rule from the Administration for Children and Families implements changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program required by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) (Pub. L. 109-171).

Rural Business-Cooperative Service; Inviting Applications for Rural Business Opportunity Grants
Feb 5, 2008 -- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of grants of up to $50,000 per application from the Rural Business Opportunity Grant program for fiscal year (FY) 2008, to improve the economic conditions of rural areas.
Learn more about: Rural Business Opportunity Grant

Rural Business-Cooperative Service; Inviting Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2008
Feb 5, 2008 -- This notice announces the availability of approximately $33.077 million of loan funds under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program for fiscal year (FY) 2008, to assist in economically developing rural areas.
Learn more about: Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program

Bureau of Indian Affairs; Notice of Renewal of a Current Approved Information Collection
Feb 4, 2008 -- This notice announces that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is soliciting comments on the Financial Assistance and Social Service program application forms in order to renew the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance.

Notice for Request for Proposals for Guaranteed Loans Under the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP) for Fiscal Year 2008
Feb 4, 2008 -- This notice from the Rural Housing Service requests proposals from eligible lenders for projects for the new construction of affordable rural rental housing, the acquisition with rehabilitation of affordable rural rental housing, and the revitalization, repair, and transfer of existing direct section 515 housing.
Learn more about: Guaranteed Loans Under the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP)

Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI)
Feb 4, 2008 -- This Notice announces the availability of RCDI grants to qualified intermediary organizations that will provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development.
Learn more about: Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI)

Notice of the Establishment of the federal Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC)     Top Story 
Feb 4, 2008 -- In this announcement the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is giving notice of the establishment of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee whose purpose is to provide advice to the Administrator of EPA on environmental issues and programs that impact, or are of concern to, farms, ranches, and rural communities.

Request for Proposals: The National Emergency or Disaster Grants to Assist Low-Income Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers
Feb 4, 2008 -- The Rural Housing Service (RHS) announces the availability of funds and the timeframe to submit applications for grants to provide emergency services to areas where the Secretary of Agriculture determines that a local, state, or national emergency or disaster has caused low-income migrant or seasonal farmworkers to lose income, be unable to work, or to stay at home or return home in anticipation of work shortages.
Learn more about: National Emergency or Disaster Grants to Assist Low-Income Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

Request for Public Comments, Community Development Financial Institutions Program
Feb 4, 2008 -- This document invites comments from the public on certain issues regarding, for purposes of the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program, the CDFI Fund's certification of entities as CDFIs, pursuant to the CDFI Program regulations set forth at 12 CFR 1805.201.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American Indians With Disabilities; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Feb 4, 2008 -- The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services is inviting applications for this program that provides vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians with disabilities who reside on or near Federal or State reservations.
Learn more about: Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American Indians with Disabilities

Indian Education--Professional Development Grants; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Feb 1, 2008 -- The purpose of this program is to (1) increase the number of qualified Indian individuals in professions that serve Indians; (2) provide training to qualified Indian individuals to become teachers, administrators, teacher aides, social workers, and ancillary educational personnel; and (3) improve the skills of qualified Indian individuals who serve in the education field.
Learn more about: Professional Development Program: Office of Indian Education

Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Proposed Collection; Comments Requested; (Customer Initiated Payments [CIP], FedWire, and Preauthorized Debits [PAD])
Jan 30, 2008 -- This notice announces Rural Development's intention to request a revision for a currently approved information collection in support of loan programs administered by the Rural Housing Service, Business- Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service.

Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System for Long-Term Care Hospitals RY 2009: Proposed Annual Payment Rate Updates, Policy Changes, and Clarifications; Proposed Rule     Top Story 
Jan 29, 2008 -- This proposed rule would update the annual payment rates for the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for inpatient hospital services provided by long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) in addition to also clarifying various policy issues.

Rehabilitation Training--Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program; Notice of Proposed Priority; Comment Request
Jan 29, 2008 -- In this notice comments are being requested by the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services proposing a priority under the Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (RCEP) to fund regional Technical Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) centers.

Request for Proposals (RFP): Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance Grants
Jan 29, 2008 -- This RFP from the Rural Housing Service announces an availability of funds and the timeframe to submit proposals for Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance (FLH-TA) grants.
Learn more about: Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance (FLH-TA) Grants

Rural Business-Cooperative Service Announces Funding Availability for Value-Added Producer Grants     Top Story 
Jan 29, 2008 -- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) announces the availability of approximately $18.4 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to help independent agricultural producers enter into value-added activities.
Learn more about: Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG)

Solicitation of Nominations for the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award     Top Story 
Jan 29, 2008 -- This notice solicits nominations for the New Freedom Initiative Award, outlines the eligibility criteria, the nomination process, and the administrative procedures for the award.
Learn more about: New Freedom Initiative Award

Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities; Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels     Top Story 
Jan 28, 2008 -- The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs announces the availability of $6.8 million in Fiscal Year 2008 for competitive grants to assist communities with extremely high energy costs.
Learn more about: High Energy Cost Grant Program

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); Evaluation of Care and Disease Management Under Medicare Advantage; Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Jan 28, 2008 -- CMS is conducting an evaluation of care and disease management programs under Medicare Advantage (MA), which includes a survey of all MA plans.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Revision of a Currently Approved Collection; Title of Information Collection: Additional Quality Measures and Procedures for Hospital Reporting of Quality Data for the FY 2009 IPPS Annual Payment Update
Jan 28, 2008 -- The approval of this data collection process is essential to meet the requirements of Section 404 of the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 and its applicability to the hospital market basket. This section of the MMA requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to, ``... establish a frequency for revising such [market basket] weights including the labor share, in such market basket to reflect the most current data available more frequently than every five years.''

Community Connect Grant Program; Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels     Top Story 
Jan 28, 2008 -- The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs announces its Community Connect Grant Program application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008.
Learn more about: Community Connect Broadband Grant Program

Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant; Announcement of Funding Availability and Solicitation of Applications     Top Story 
Jan 28, 2008 -- The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs announces its Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant, combination loan-grant and loan program application windows for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008.
Learn more about: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program Loans and Grants

Household Water Well System Grant Program; Announcement of Application Deadlines and Funding     Top Story 
Jan 28, 2008 -- The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs announces its Household Water Well System (HWWS) Grant Program application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008.
Learn more about: Household Water Well System Grant Program

Revolving Fund Program (RFP); Announcement of Grant and Loan Application Deadlines and Funding Levels     Top Story 
Jan 28, 2008 -- The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs announces its Revolving Fund Program (RFP) application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008. In addition to announcing the application window, Rural Development announces the available funding and maximum amounts for RFP competitive grants for the fiscal year.
Learn more about: USDA Revolving Fund Program

Alaska Native Education Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Jan 25, 2008 -- The purpose of this program from the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education is to develop and support supplemental educational programs to benefit Alaska Natives.
Learn more about: Alaska Native Education Program

April 2008 Current Population Survey Supplement on Child Support; Comment Request
Jan 25, 2008 -- Comments are being requested from the Administration for Children and Families on a collection of data that will assist legislators and policymakers in determining how effective their policymaking efforts have been over time in applying the various child support legislation to the overall child support enforcement picture.

Indian Health Service; Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions; Notice of Funding Opportunity
Jan 25, 2008 -- This program provides funding for health professional educational loans (undergraduate and graduate) in return for full-time clinical service in Indian health programs.

Medicare Program; Establishing Additional Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Supplier Enrollment Safeguards; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Jan 25, 2008 -- Comments are being requested by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to this proposed rule that clarifies, expands, and adds to the existing enrollment requirements that Durable Medical Equipment and Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers must meet to establish and maintain billing privileges in the Medicare program.

Native Hawaiian Education Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Jan 25, 2008 -- The purpose of this program from the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education is to support innovative projects that enhance the educational services provided to Native Hawaiian children and adults.
Learn more about: Native Hawaiian Education Program

Strategy to Support Health Information Technology Among HRSA's Safety Net Providers; Comment Request
Jan 25, 2008 -- This document shows the response to Federal Register notice (71 FR 54829) published on September 19, 2006, regarding strategies to support health information technology (HIT) among Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) safety net providers--Solicitation of Comments.

Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) Grants; Notice of Funding Availability
Jan 24, 2008 -- This funding mechanism from the Indian Health Service will develop opportunities for conducting research and research training to meet the needs of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.
Learn more about: Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) Grants

Safe Schools/Healthy Students Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Jan 24, 2008 -- This program from the Department of Education supports the implementation and enhancement of integrated, comprehensive community-wide plans that create safe and drug-free schools and promote healthy childhood development.
Learn more about: Safe Schools/Healthy Students Program

Notice of Annual Update of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Poverty Guidelines
Jan 23, 2008 -- This notice provides an update of the HHS poverty guidelines to account for last calendar year's increase in prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program
Jan 22, 2008 -- This program funds collaborative outreach and assistance programs for limited resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally under-served farmers and ranchers, who produce Priority Commodities.
Learn more about: Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Jan 22, 2008 -- This program is to improve student reading skills and academic achievement by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers; and well-trained, professionally certified school library media specialists.
Learn more about: Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program

New Information Collection; Conditions of Participation for Critical Access Hospitals
Jan 18, 2008 -- With this submission, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are creating a new information collection request for critical access hospitals (CAH).

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Jan 18, 2008 -- This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless

Revisit User Fee Program for Medicare Survey and Certification Activities; Interim Final Rule with Comment Period Activities
Jan 18, 2008 -- This interim final rule with comment period implements the continuation of the revisit user fee program for Medicare Survey and Certification activities, in accordance with the statutory authority in the Continuing Appropriations Resolution entitled, "Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, and for all other purposes."

National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services; Notice of Public Meeting     Top Story 
Jan 17, 2008 -- The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services will meet on February 20-23, 2008 at The Sofitel Lafayette Square, Washington, DC.

Announcement of First Meeting of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2020
Jan 15, 2008 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the first in a series of public federal advisory committee meetings regarding the national health promotion and disease prevention objectives for 2020 to be held in Washington, DC.

Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule, and Other Part B Payment Policies; Revisions to the Payment Policies of Ambulance Services Under the Ambulance Fee Schedule
Jan 15, 2008 -- This notice corrects several technical and typographical errors in the final rule with comment period that appeared in the November 27, 2007 Federal Register that addressed Medicare Part B payment policy, including the physician fee schedule that is applicable for calendar year 2008; the competitive acquisition program; clinical lab fee schedule issues; performance standards for diagnostic testing facilities; conforming and clarifying changes for comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities (CORFs); physician self-referral issues; and standards and requirements related to therapy services under Medicare Parts A and B. The final rule with comment period also updated the list of services subject to the physician self-referral prohibitions.

Physician Fee Schedule, and Other Part B Payment Policies for CY 2008; Revisions to the Payment Policies of Ambulance Services Under the Ambulance Fee Schedule for CY 2008; and the Amendment of the E-Prescribing Exemption for Computer-Generated Facsimile
Jan 15, 2008 -- This correcting amendment corrects several technical and typographical errors in the regulations text of the final rule with comment period that appeared in the November 27, 2007 Federal Register (72 FR 66222). The final rule with comment period addressed performance standards for diagnostic testing facilities and standards and requirements related to therapy services under Medicare Parts A and B.

Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program Notice; Request for Public Comment     Top Story 
Jan 15, 2008 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking comments from the public on its plan to institute a permanent deviation from a policy in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Grants Policy Directive (GPD) 3.01 governing indirect cost recovery for its Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program (SHIP).

State Offices of Rural Health Grant Program; Notice; Request for Public Comment     Top Story 
Jan 15, 2008 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking comments from the public on its plan to institute a permanent deviation from a policy in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Grants Policy Directive (GPD) 3.01 governing indirect cost recovery for its State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) Grant Program.