News from the past 120 days.
Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
Feb 3, 2012 -- Through this final rule, HUD implements policy to ensure that its core programs are open to all eligible individuals and families regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Feb 3, 2012 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Medicaid Program; Covered Outpatient Drugs
Feb 2, 2012 -- This proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would revise requirements pertaining to Medicaid reimbursement for covered outpatient drugs to implement provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. This proposed rule would also revise other requirements related to covered outpatient drugs, including key aspects of Medicaid coverage, payment, and the drug rebate program.
Medicare Program; Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA): Applicability to Hospital Inpatients and Hospitals With Specialized Capabilities
Feb 2, 2012 -- This request for comments from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses the applicability of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) to hospital inpatients.
Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Fiscal Year 2012 Rates; Corrections
Feb 1, 2012 -- This document from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services corrects technical errors that occurred in the Addendum of the final rule entitled “Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Fiscal Year 2012 Rates” which appeared in the August 18, 2011 Federal Register.
Rural Business Investment Program; Technical Amendments
Feb 1, 2012 -- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service is making several technical amendments to correct the Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP) regulation, including one to conform to the 2008 Farm Bill provision that allows a Rural Business Investment Company two years to raise its capital.
Public Health Service Act, Non-competitive Replacement Award
Jan 31, 2012 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration is issuing a non-competitive replacement award under the Telehealth Resource Center Grant Program to the California Telehealth Network in order to continue advancement of the effective use of telehealth technology that will facilitate the provision of health care services to rural, medically-underserved California residents.
Announcement of Requirements and Registration for “Discharge Follow-Up Appointment Challenge”
Jan 27, 2012 -- The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology announces a “Discharge Follow-Up Appointment Challenge” that challenges software developers to create an easy-to-use web-based tool that will make post-discharge follow-up appointment scheduling a more effective and shared process for care providers, patients and caregivers.
Announcement of Requirements and Registration for “EHR Accessibility Challenge”
Jan 27, 2012 -- The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is challenging multidisciplinary teams to create and test a module or application that makes it easy for disabled consumers to access and interact with the health data stored in their Electronic Health Records (EHRs).
Announcement of Requirements and Registration for “Health Innovations in Commuting Challenge”
Jan 27, 2012 -- The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology invites innovators to submit their best ideas and models for improving the health of American commuters through better collection, exchange, and analysis of health data.
Recruitment of Sites for Assignment of National Health Service Corps Loan Repayors (FY 2012)
Jan 27, 2012 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces that the proposed list of the Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and entities that would receive priority in applying for the assignment of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayors (Corps personnel, Corps members) during the period November 1, 2011, through September 30, 2012 is posted on the NHSC Web site.
Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines
Jan 26, 2012 -- This notice provides an update of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines to account for last calendar year's increase in prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Multi-Family Housing Program 2012 Industry Forums-Open Teleconference and/or Web Conference Meetings
Jan 26, 2012 -- This Notice announces a series of teleconferences and/or Web conference meetings regarding the USDA Multi-Family Housing Program. The teleconference and/or Web conference meetings will be scheduled on a quarterly basis, but may be held monthly at the Agency's discretion.
Notice of Funding Availability: Rural Development Voucher Program
Top Story
Jan 24, 2012 -- The Rural Housing Service announces that funding is available for the Rural Development Voucher Program, available to low income tenants of Rural Development-financed multifamily properties where the Section 515 loan has been prepaid, either through prepayment or a foreclosure action, prior to the loan's maturity date and after September 30, 2005.
Learn more about: Rural Development Voucher Program
Comment Request for Information Collection for the H-1B Technical Skills Training (H-1B) and the H-1B Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge (JIAC) Grant Programs, New Collection
Jan 23, 2012 -- The Employment and Training Administration is requesting comments on a new information collection proposed to meet the reporting, recordkeeping and program evaluation requirements of both H-1B grant programs.
Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions Educational Loans; Announcement Type: Initial
Top Story
Jan 23, 2012 -- The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces, subject to the appropriation of funds, funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 for the IHS Loan Repayment Program for health professional educational loans in return for full-time clinical service in Indian health programs.
Learn more about: Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions Educational Loans
USDA Invites Applications for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects
Top Story
Jan 23, 2012 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting
Jan 23, 2012 -- The Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee will conduct a telephone conference call meeting on Monday, January 30, 2012, in Washington, DC. The meeting is open to the public.
Notice of Funding Availability for the Rural Energy for America Program
Top Story
Jan 20, 2012 -- This NOFA announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Fiscal Year 2012 for financial assistance as follows: grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grants and guaranteed loans for the development and construction of renewable energy systems and for energy efficiency improvement projects; grants for conducting energy audits; grants for conducting renewable energy development assistance; and grants for conducting renewable energy system feasibility studies.
Learn more about: Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Under the Rural Energy for America Program
HIT Policy Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Jan 19, 2012 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The meeting will be held on February 1, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m./Eastern Time, and will be open to the public.
HIT Standards Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Jan 19, 2012 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The meeting will be held on February 29, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m./Eastern Time and will be open to the public.
National Advisory Council on Migrant Health; Notice of Meeting
Jan 19, 2012 -- The National Advisory Council on Migrant Health will hold a public meeting on February 7 - 8, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss services and issues related to the health of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families and to formulate recommendations for the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Amendments to Regulations Regarding Eligibility for a Medicare Prescription Drug Subsidy
Jan 18, 2012 -- This final rule from the Social Security Administration adopts, without change, the interim final rule with request for comments published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2010. The interim final rule incorporated changes to the Medicare prescription drug coverage low-income subsidy (Extra Help) program made by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act enacted in March 2010.
Announcement of the Requirements and Registration for the Healthy New Year Challenge
Jan 18, 2012 -- The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is announcing the launch of the Healthy New Year Challenge, an open call for people nationwide to create and submit short videos that capture New Year's resolutions geared towards improving their health or the health of a loved one through the use of technology. Cash prizes will be awarded.
Learn more about: Healthy New Year Challenge
Medicaid Program; Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments - Uninsured Definition
Jan 18, 2012 -- This proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses the hospital-specific limitation on Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments under the Social Security Act.
Medicare Program; Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Benefit Programs: Negotiated Pricing and Remaining Revisions; Prescription Drug Benefit Program: Payments to Sponsors of Retiree Prescription Drug Plans
Jan 12, 2012 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implements and finalizes provisions regarding the reporting of gross covered retiree plan-related prescription drug costs (gross retiree costs) and retained rebates by Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) sponsors; and the scope of waiver authority under the Social Security Act (the Act).
Administrative Simplification: Adoption of Standards for Health Care Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) and Remittance Advice
Jan 10, 2012 -- This interim final rule with comment period from the Department of Health and Human Services implements parts of section 1104 of the Affordable Care Act which requires the adoption of a standard for electronic funds transfers (EFT). It defines EFT and explains how the adopted standards support and facilitate health care EFT transmissions.
National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services; Notice of Meeting
Top Story
Jan 10, 2012 -- The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services will hold a public meeting February 15-17, 2012, in Washington, D.C. to hear panel presentations on Affordable Care Act related provisions.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Jan 6, 2012 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Applications for New Awards; Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program-Field Initiated Projects Program
Jan 5, 2012 -- Grants are available from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services for Field-Initiated projects for research to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology for individuals with disabilities.
Learn more about: Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project and Centers Program -- Field Initiated Projects - Development
Medicaid Program: Initial Core Set of Health Care Quality Measures for Medicaid-Eligible Adults
Jan 4, 2012 -- This final notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces the initial core set of health care quality measures for Medicaid-eligible adults for voluntary use by State programs administered under title XIX of the Social Security Act, health insurance issuers and managed care entities that enter into contracts with Medicaid, and providers of items and services under these programs.
Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment; Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment; Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program; Physician Self-Referral; and Patient Notification Requirements in Provider Agreements; Corrections
Jan 4, 2012 -- This document from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services corrects technical errors that appeared in the final rule with comment period published in the Federal Register on November 30, 2011, entitled “Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment; Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment; Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program; Physician Self-Referral; and Patient Notification Requirements in Provider Agreements.”
Medicare Program; Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule, Five-Year Review of Work Relative Value Units, Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule: Signature on Requisition, and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2012; Corrections
Jan 4, 2012 -- This document corrects technical errors and typographical errors in the final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services entitled “Medicare Program; Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule, Five-Year Review of Work Relative Value Units, Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule: Signature on Requisition, and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2012” which appeared in the November 28, 2011 Federal Register.
Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas
Dec 30, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Department of Veterans Affairs on a proposal to amend its regulations to establish a new program to provide grants to assist veterans in highly rural areas through innovative transportation services to travel to VA medical centers, and to otherwise assist in providing transportation services in connection with the provision of VA medical care to these veterans.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Dec 30, 2011 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Solicitation of New Safe Harbors and Special Fraud Alerts
Dec 29, 2011 -- Comments are being requested on this annual notice from the Department of Health and Human Services that solicits proposals and recommendations for developing new and modifying existing safe harbor provisions under the Federal anti-kickback statute, as well as developing new OIG Special Fraud Alerts.
Connect America Fund; A National Broadband Plan for Our Future; Establishing Just and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; High-Cost Universal Service Support
Top Story
Dec 28, 2011 -- This document from the Federal Communications Commission provides additional information to the final rule document published on November 29, 2011, that comprehensively reformed and modernized the universal service and intercarrier compensation systems to ensure that robust, affordable voice and broadband service, both fixed and mobile, are available to Americans throughout the nation.
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Nomination Letters
Dec 28, 2011 -- In this notice the Government Accountability Office is announcing that for appointments to MedPAC that will be effective May 1, 2012, the Comptroller General is announcing that letters of nomination should be submitted between January 1 and March 8, 2012, to ensure adequate opportunity for review and consideration of nominees prior to the appointment of new members.
National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps; Notice of Meeting
Top Story
Dec 28, 2011 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces that a public meeting of the National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) will be held January 19-20, 2012, in Rockville, MD. The Council is convening to hear updates from HRSA and the NHSC program, as well as to discuss evidence-based strategies for clinician retention, negotiated rule-making, and the current state of primary care workforce programs.
Application for New Awards; Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies (FY) 2012 (Parts 1 & 2)
Dec 23, 2011 -- This program provides grants to support local educational agencies (LEAs) and other eligible entities described in this notice in their efforts to reform and improve elementary and secondary school programs that serve Indian students.
Learn more about: Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies (Part 1)
Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Demonstration Grants for Indian Children
Dec 23, 2011 -- The purpose of this program from the Department of Education 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
Farm Service Agency; Rural Business Investment Program; Comment Request
Dec 23, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service on the amending of its regulations for the Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP) to conform it to the 2008 Farm Bill, to add provisions for Rural Business Investment Companies (RBIC) that wish to participate in a non-leveraged capacity, and to make several clarifications to the existing rule for leveraged RBICs. In addition, this rule amends the categorical exclusions from the National Environmental Policy Act by adding categorical exclusions for the RBIP for both leveraged and non-leveraged RBICs.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Dec 23, 2011 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Understanding the Rates, Causes, and Costs of Churning in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Dec 22, 2011 -- The Office of Research and Analysis (ORA) in USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has undertaken a study on the causes and costs of churning in SNAP. Churning occurs when a SNAP participant leaves the program and returns within a short period of time, defined here as four months or less.
Learn more about: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Request-Nutrition Assistance in Farmers' Markets: Understanding the Shopping Patterns of SNAP Participants
Dec 22, 2011 -- The USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), is pursuing initiatives to improve access to healthy foods among nutrition assistance program clients. The overall objective of this collection is to promote opportunities for nutrition assistance program clients to take advantage of farmers' markets.
Learn more about: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
HIT Policy Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Dec 22, 2011 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). The meeting will be held on January 10, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m./Eastern Time and will be open to the public.
HIT Standards Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Dec 22, 2011 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). The meeting will be held on January 25, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m./Eastern Time and will be open to the public.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of HIV/AIDS Policy; Agency Information Collection Request. 30-Day Public Comment Request
Dec 22, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of HIV/AIDS Policy (OHAP) is seeking on comments on a newly proposed project entitled Cross-Site Evaluation of the Minority Serving Institutions' HIV/AIDS Demonstration Initiative and Capacity-building Project.
Medicare Program; Independence at Home Demonstration Program
Dec 21, 2011 -- This notice creates a new demonstration program for chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries to test a payment incentive and service delivery system that utilizes physician and nurse practitioner directed home-based primary care teams aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing expenditures, beginning December 21, 2011.
Payment or Reimbursement for Emergency Treatment Furnished by Non-VA Providers in Non-VA Facilities to Certain Veterans With Service-Connected or Nonservice-Connected Disabilities
Top Story
Dec 21, 2011 -- This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations concerning emergency hospital care and medical services provided to eligible veterans at non-VA facilities.
Connect America Fund; A National Broadband Plan for Our Future; Establishing Just and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; High-Cost Universal Service Support
Top Story
Dec 16, 2011 -- In this document, the Federal Communications Commission seeks comment on several issues related to Eligible Telecommunications Carriers obligations, the funding mechanisms for rate-of-return, price cap and mobile carriers, and a Remote Areas Fund.
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances - July Through September 2011
Dec 16, 2011 -- This quarterly notice lists CMS manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and other Federal Register notices that were published from July through September 2011, relating to the Medicare and Medicaid programs and other programs administered by CMS.
Medicare Program; First Semi-Annual Meeting of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment (HOP - Formerly Known as the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups - APC Panel)-February 27, 28, and 29, 2012
Top Story
Dec 16, 2011 -- This notice announces the first semi-annual meeting of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment, formerly known as the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups for 2012. The purpose of the Panel is to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the clinical integrity of the APC groups and their associated weights, and hospital outpatient supervision issues.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Dec 16, 2011 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority
Dec 14, 2011 -- This notice from HRSA updates the functional statement for the Office of Federal Assistance Management that provides leadership, direction and coordination to all phases of grants policy, administration, and independent review of competitive grant applications.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Early Retiree Reinsurance Program
Dec 13, 2011 -- This notice announces that CMS, based on the projected availability of funding under the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP), is exercising its authority under the ERRP regulations at 45 CFR 149.45(a) to deny ERRP reimbursement requests, in their entirety, that include claims that are incurred after December 31, 2011.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Dec 9, 2011 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Medicare Program; Availability of Medicare Data for Performance Measurement; Final Rule
Top Story
Dec 7, 2011 -- This final rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implements Section 10332 of the Affordable Care Act regarding the release and use of standardized extracts of Medicare claims data for qualified entities to measure the performance of providers of services (referred to as providers) and suppliers.
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Defining “Homeless”
Dec 5, 2011 -- This final rule from the Department of Housing and Urban Development integrates the regulation for the definition of “homeless,” and the corresponding recordkeeping requirements, for the Shelter Plus Care program, and the Supportive Housing Program. This final rule also establishes the regulation for the definition “developmental disability” and the definition and recordkeeping requirements for “homeless individual with a disability” for the Shelter Plus Care program and the Supportive Housing Program.
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Emergency Solutions Grants Program and Consolidated Plan Conforming Amendments
Dec 5, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Department of Housing and Urban Development on an interim rule that revises the regulations for the Emergency Shelter Grants program by establishing the regulations for the Emergency Solutions Grants program, which replaces the Emergency Shelter Grants program.
Farm Loan Programs Loan Making Activities
Dec 2, 2011 -- The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is amending the Farm Loan Programs (FLP) loan making regulations to implement a new program and to amend existing regulations for direct and guaranteed loans as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). This rule establishes the loan making and servicing regulations for the new Land Contract (LC) Guarantee Program.
Fund Availability Under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
Dec 1, 2011 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the
availability of funds for supportive services grants under the
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF Program).
Learn more about: Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment; Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment; Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program; Physician Self-Referral; and Patient Notification Requirements in Provider Agreements; Final Rule
Top Story
Nov 30, 2011 -- This final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services revises the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) for CY 2012 to implement applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from their continuing experience with this system.
Medicare Program; Announcement of a New Application Deadline for the Advance Payment Model
Nov 30, 2011 -- This notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces a new application deadline for participation in the Advance Payment Model for certain accountable care organizations participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program scheduled to begin in 2012.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request - National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Site Survey
Nov 29, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Health Resources and Services Administration on the NHSC Site Survey that renames and revises the previously known NHSC Uniform Data System (UDS) Report.
HIV Clinician Workforce Study; Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Nov 29, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Health Resources and Services Administration on a 24-month HIV clinician workforce study that will focus on the supply and demand of health professionals who independently manage patients with HIV/AIDS.
Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health
Nov 29, 2011 -- The Advisory Committee on Minority Health will hold a public meeting on January 24-25, 2012 in Washington D.C., to discuss strategies to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities, as well as other related issues.
Rural Health Clinic Form and Supporting Regulations; Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Top Story
Nov 29, 2011 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requesting comments on the Request for Certification as a Rural Health Clinic Form and Supporting Regulations that is utilized as an application to be completed by suppliers of RHC services requesting participation in the Medicare program.
Medicare Program; Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule, Five-Year Review of Work Relative Value Units, Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule: Signature on Requisition, and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2012
Nov 28, 2011 -- This final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses changes to the physician fee schedule and other Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that their payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services.
Payment for Home Health Services and Hospice Care by Non-VA Providers; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Nov 21, 2011 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is requesting comments on a proposal to amend its regulation and internal policy documents concerning the billing methodology for non-VA providers of home health services and hospice care.
Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting on FY 2013 Applications for New Medical Services and Technology Add-On Payments Under the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System
Nov 18, 2011 -- This notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces a town hall meeting to be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, to discuss fiscal year (FY) 2013 applications for add-on payments for new medical services and technologies under the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS).
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2008: Amendments to Program Regulations
Nov 18, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Department of Housing and Urban Development on this proposed rule that would make several revisions to the regulations governing the Indian Housing Block Grant Program and the Title VI Loan Guarantee Program.
Federal Emergency Management Agency; Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
Nov 16, 2011 -- This notice provides guidelines that describe the application process for grants and the criteria for awarding grants in the fiscal year (FY) 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program year application period for the FY 2011 AFG Program year that was open from August 15, 2011, to September 23, 2011.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Nov 15, 2011 -- This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to request that the Office of Management and Budget approve the proposed information collection project: "Assessing the Feasibility of Disseminating Effective Health Care Products through a Shared Electronic Medical Record Serving Member Organization of a Health Information Exchange."
Deadline for Submitting Completed Applications to Begin Participation in the Tribal Self-Governance Program in Fiscal Year 2013 or Calendar Year 2013
Nov 15, 2011 -- In this notice, the Office of Self-Governance (OSG) establishes a March 1, 2012, deadline for Indian tribes/consortia to submit completed applications to begin participation in the tribal self-governance program in fiscal year 2013 or calendar year 2013.
Disaster Designation Process
Nov 14, 2011 -- The Farm Service Agency (FSA) proposes to amend the disaster designation regulations with simplified procedures for designating USDA Secretarial disaster areas.
HIT Policy Committee's Workgroup Meetings; Notice of Meetings
Nov 14, 2011 -- This notice announces forthcoming subcommittee meetings of a
Federal advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator
for Health Information Technology (ONC). The meetings will be open to
the public via dial-in access only.
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Community Development Financial Institutions the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program FY 2012 Funding Round
Top Story
Nov 14, 2011 -- The Department of the Treasury is inviting applications for the FY 2012 Funding Round of the Native American Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Assistance Program that provides funding to build the community development capacity of Certified Native CDFIs, Emerging Native CDFIs, and Sponsoring Entities, and to increase access to capital in Native Communities.
Learn more about: Native American CDFI Assistance Program
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Policy Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Nov 14, 2011 -- This notice from the Department of Health and Human Services announces a forthcoming public advisory meeting of the HIT Policy Committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), to be held December 7, 2011, in Washington, D.C.
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Standards Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Nov 14, 2011 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of the HIT Standards Committee, a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), to be held to be held December 14, 2011, in Washington, D.C.
Medicare Program; End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System and Quality Incentive Program; Ambulance Fee Schedule; Durable Medical Equipment; and Competitive Acquisition of Certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies
Nov 10, 2011 -- This final rule updates and makes certain revisions to the End-Stage Renal Disease prospective payment system, revises the ambulance fee schedule regulations to conform to statutory changes, revises the definition of durable medical equipment, and implements certain provisions of section 154 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) related to the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Acquisition Program.
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Application for New Awards; College Assistance Migrant Program
Nov 8, 2011 -- The applications for new awards has been issued for the CAMP program to provide academic and financial support to help migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their children complete their first year of college and continue in postsecondary education.
Learn more about: College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Application for New Awards; High School Equivalency Program
Nov 8, 2011 -- The applications for new awards has been issued for the HEP program to help migrant and seasonal farmworkers and members of their immediate family obtain a general education diploma (GED) that meets the guidelines for high school equivalency established by the State in which the HEP project is conducted, and to help them gain employment or be placed in an
institution of higher education or other postsecondary education
or training.
Learn more about: High School Equivalency Program (HEP)
Proposed Eligibility Criteria for the Centers of Excellence Program in Health Professions Education for Under-Represented Minority Individuals; Comment Request
Nov 7, 2011 -- This notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration requests comments on proposed eligibility criteria for the Centers of Excellence (COE) program in health professions education for under-represented minority (URM) individuals.
Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program FY 2012 Funding Round (the FY 2012 Funding Round)
Top Story
Nov 6, 2011 -- The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) today released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Notice of Funds Availability for the CDFI Program, to support Community Development Financial Institutions providing affordable financing and related services to low-income communities and populations that lack access to credit, capital and financial services.
Learn more about: FY2012 Funding Round of the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund Financial Assistance & Technical Assistance Awards
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances - April Through June 2011
Nov 4, 2011 -- This notice lists CMS manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and other Federal Register notices that were published from October through December 2010, relating to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Medicare Program; Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update for Calendar Year 2012
Top Story
Nov 4, 2011 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sets forth updates to the home health prospective payment system rates, including: the national standardized 60-day episode rates; the national per-visit rates; and the low utilization payment amount under the Medicare PPS for home health agencies effective January 1, 2012.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Nov 4, 2011 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Lists of Designated Primary Medical Care, Mental Health, and Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas
Top Story
Nov 3, 2011 -- This notice advises the public of the published lists of all geographic areas, population groups, and facilities designated as primary medical care, mental health, and dental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) as of September 1, 2011, available on the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Web site at http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/index.html.
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; Temporary Certification Program; Notice of Extension
Top Story
Nov 3, 2011 -- This notice announces the decision made by the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to extend the Temporary Certification Program past the established sunset date of December 31, 2011. The temporary certification program would ensure that Certified EHR Technology was available for adoption and use by eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs beginning in 2011.
Medicare Program; Advanced Payment Model
Top Story
Nov 2, 2011 -- This notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces the testing of the Advance Payment Model for certain accountable care organizations participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program scheduled to begin in 2012, and provides information about the model and application process. The Advance Payment model is intended for organizations in need of additional access to capital to make investments necessary for coordinating care, including rural and physician-led ACOs.
Medicare Program; Final Waivers in Connection With the Shared Savings Program; Comment Request
Nov 2, 2011 -- This interim final rule with comment period establishes waivers of the application of the Physician Self-Referral Law, the Federal anti-kickback statute, and certain civil monetary penalties law provisions to specified arrangements involving accountable care organizations (ACOs) under section 1899 of the Social Security Act (the Act) (the Shared Savings Program), including ACOs participating in the Advance Payment Initiative.
Medicare Program; Medicare Shared Savings Program: Accountable Care Organizations
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Nov 2, 2011 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implements section 3022 of the Affordable Care Act which contains provisions relating to Medicare payments to providers of services and suppliers participating in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) under the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
Medicare Program; Part A Premiums for CY 2012 for the Uninsured Aged and for Certain Disabled Individuals Who Have Exhausted Other Entitlement
Nov 2, 2011 -- This annual notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces Medicare's Hospital Insurance (Part A) premium for uninsured enrollees in calendar year (CY) 2012.
Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Programs; Provider Enrollment Application Fee Amount for Calendar Year 2012
Nov 2, 2011 -- This notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces the $523 calendar year (CY) 2012 application fee for institutional providers that are initially enrolling in the Medicare or Medicaid programs or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); revalidating their Medicare, Medicaid or CHIP enrollment; or adding a new Medicare practice location.
Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts for CY 2012
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Nov 1, 2011 -- This notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces the inpatient hospital deductible and the hospital and extended care services coinsurance amounts for services furnished in calendar year (CY) 2012 under Medicare's Hospital Insurance Program (Medicare Part A).
Medicare Program; Medicare Part B Monthly Actuarial Rates, Premium Rate, and Annual Deductible Beginning January 1, 2012
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Nov 1, 2011 -- This notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces the monthly actuarial rates for aged (age 65 and over) and disabled (under age 65) beneficiaries enrolled in Part B of the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program beginning January 1, 2012. In addition, this notice announces the monthly premium for aged and disabled beneficiaries as well as the income-related monthly adjustment amounts to be paid by beneficiaries with modified adjusted gross income above certain threshold amounts.
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities for Approval of Deeming Authority for Rural Health Clinics; Comment Request
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Oct 28, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on this proposed notice with comment period that acknowledges the receipt of a deeming application from the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) for recognition as a national accrediting organization for rural health clinics (RHCs) that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
Medicare Program; Accountable Care Organization Accelerated Development Learning Sessions; Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation
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Oct 28, 2011 -- This notice announces the third and last in a series of public educational sessions on November 17 and 18, 2011, hosted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to help Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) deliver better care and reduce costs.
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program; Comment Request
Oct 28, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the US Department of Agricultural, Rural Housing Service on a proposed a change to its Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program regulation, to collect from the lender an annual fee not to exceed 0.5 percent of the outstanding principal balance of the loan for the life of the loan.
New Policies and Procedural Requirements for the Electronic Submission of Discretionary Grant Applications; Comment Request
Oct 27, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Administration for Children and Families on its initial transition plan to implement required electronic submission of Federal discretionary grant applications and official grant file documents.
Announcement of Requirements and Registration for Leading Health Indicators (LHI) App Challenge
Oct 26, 2011 -- The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, in partnership with Health 2.0 and the Office of the National Coordinator of Health IT, is launching an LHI App Challenge to encourage teams of developers and health professionals to build an application that addresses one or more LHI topics on a community level.
Office of Advocacy and Outreach Federal Financial Assistance Programs; Comment Request
Oct 26, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Department of Agriculture on this interim rule that establishes the regulations for the administrative provisions of all grants or cooperative agreements to be administered by the Office of Advocacy and Outreach. Additionally, this interim rule establishes substantive regulations for the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program Program.
Pilot Program for Parallel Review of Medical Products; Correction
Oct 26, 2011 -- The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are correcting a notice that appeared in the Federal Register of October 11, 2011. The document was published with an incorrect Web page address and an incorrect email address.
Medicare and Medicaid Program; Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction; Comment Request
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Oct 24, 2011 -- Comments are being requested on this proposed rule that identifies and proposes reforms in Medicare and Medicaid regulations that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has identified as unnecessary, obsolete, or excessively burdensome on health care providers and beneficiaries.
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Reform of Hospital and Critical Access Hospital Conditions of Participation; Comment Request
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Oct 24, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on a proposed rule would revise the requirements that hospitals and critical access hospitals must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Medicare Program; Changes to the Ambulatory Surgical Centers Patient Rights Conditions for Coverage
Oct 24, 2011 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services revises the ambulatory surgical centers conditions for coverage to allow patient rights information to be provided to the patient, the patient's representative, or the patient's surrogate prior to the start of the surgical procedure.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Oct 21, 2011 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Agricultural Career and Employment Grants Program or “ACE”
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Oct 20, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture' announces the availability of "ACE" grants to assist agricultural employers and farmworkers by improving the supply, stability, safety, and training of the agricultural labor force.
Learn more about: Agricultural Career and Employment Grants Program
Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority; Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
Oct 20, 2011 -- The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has reorganized its office in order to more effectively meet the mission outlined by The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The reorganization adds the position of Principal Deputy.
Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry; Notice of Meeting
Oct 19, 2011 -- The Bureau of Health Professions will hold a public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry November 7-8, 2011, in Washington, DC.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Council on Graduate Medical Education; Notice of Meeting
Oct 19, 2011 -- HRSA announces that a public meeting of the Council on Graduate Medical Education will be held November 8 and November 10, 2011, in Washington, DC.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice; Notice of Meeting
Oct 19, 2011 -- HRSA announces that the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice will hold a public meeting November 7-8, 2011, in Washington, DC.
Substantially Underserved Trust Areas (SUTA); Comment Request
Oct 14, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Rural Utilities Service on a proposal to issue regulations in order to provide loans and grants to facilitate the construction, acquisition, or improvement of infrastructure projects in Substantially Underserved Trust Areas (SUTA).
Bureau of Health Professions All-Advisory Committee Meeting
Oct 13, 2011 -- The Bureau of Health Professions will be holding an All-Advisory Committee Meeting that will be open to the public on November 9, 2011, in Washington, DC.
Rate Increase Disclosure and Review Reporting Requirements; Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); Comment Request
Oct 12, 2011 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requesting comments on an emergency review of the information collection regarding unreasonable rate increases by health insurance issuers.
Medicare Program; Proposed Changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs for Contract Year 2013 and Other Proposed Changes; Considering Changes to the Conditions of Participation for Long Term Care Facilities
Oct 11, 2011 -- The proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would revise the Medicare Advantage (MA) program (Part C) regulations and prescription drug benefit program (Part D) regulations to implement new statutory requirements; strengthen beneficiary protections; exclude plan participants that perform poorly; improve program efficiencies; and clarify program requirements.
Pilot Program for Parallel Review of Medical Products
Oct 11, 2011 -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are soliciting nominations from sponsors of innovative device technologies to participate in a pilot program for concurrent review of certain FDA premarket review submissions and CMS national coverage determinations.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Oct 7, 2011 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
