Federal Register News

News from the past 120 days.

Rural Housing Service; Community Facility Loans; Community Programs Guaranteed Loans; Comment Request
Feb 9, 2010 -- Comments are being requested by the Rural Housing Service who will collect information to determine applicant/borrower eligibility, project feasibility, and to ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan and grant funds for authorized purposes.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Policy Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Feb 3, 2010 -- This notice announces a forthcoming public meeting of the HIT Policy Advisory Committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), to be held February 17, 2010, in Washington, DC.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information; HIT Standards Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Feb 3, 2010 -- This notice announces a forthcoming public meeting of the HIT Standards Advisory Committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), to be held February 24, 2010, in Washington, DC.

Interim Final Rules Under the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008; Request for Comments     Top Story 
Feb 2, 2010 -- Comments are being requested on this document containing interim final rules implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, which requires parity between mental health or substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits with respect to financial requirements and treatment limitations under group health plans and health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan.

Notice of Intent to Hold Public Forums to Solicit Feedback From the Public Regarding the Section 523 Mutual Self-Help Housing Program
Feb 2, 2010 -- The Rural Housing Service intends to hold public forums to solicit feedback from the public on whether the current method of delivering the self-help program is the most efficient and cost effective in terms of cost and program delivery.

President's Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships; Notice of Meeting
Feb 2, 2010 -- The public meeting of the President's Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships scheduled for February 9th, 2010, in Washington, DC has been canceled. A new notice will be published when the meeting has been rescheduled.

Technology and Media Services for Individuals With Disabilities--Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for Children With Disabilities Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
Feb 2, 2010 -- This funding notice from the Department of Education is to: (1) Improve results for children with disabilities by promoting the development, demonstration, and use of technology; (2) support educational media services activities designed to be of educational value in the classroom setting to children with disabilities; and (3) provide support for captioning and video description that are appropriate for use in the classroom setting.
Learn more about: Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities; Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for Students with Disabilities

Federal Housing Administration (FHA); Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program--Refinancing Hospital Loans; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Jan 29, 2010 -- Comments are being requested on this rule from the Department of Housing and Urban Development that proposes to revise the regulations governing FHA's Section 242 Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program for the purpose of codifying, in regulation, FHA's implementation of its authority that allows hospitals to refinance existing loans, without requiring such refinancing to take place only in conjunction with the expenditure of funds for construction or renovation.

Food Stamp Program: Eligibility and Certification Provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002; Final Rule
Jan 29, 2010 -- This final rule from the Food and Nutrition Service implements 11 provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA) that establish new eligibility and certification requirements for the receipt of food stamps.

National Practitioner Data Bank for Adverse Information on Physicians and Other Health Care Practitioners: Reporting on Adverse and Negative Actions Final Rule
Jan 28, 2010 -- This final rule from the Health Resources and Services Administration revises existing regulations of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986, governing the National Practitioner Data Bank for Adverse Information on Physicians and Other Health Care Practitioners.

Announcement of Funding Availability for the Capital Grant Component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program
Jan 25, 2010 -- 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

Announcement of Funding Availability Under the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program
Jan 25, 2010 -- 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

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Policy Committee's Workgroup Meetings; Notice of Meetings
Jan 25, 2010 -- This notice announces a series of forthcoming public HIT Policy Committee's Workgroup subcommittee meetings to be held during February 2010 public via dial-in access only.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Standards Committee's Workgroup Meetings; Notice of Meetings
Jan 25, 2010 -- This notice announces a series of forthcoming public HIT Standards Committee's Workgroup subcommittee meetings to be held during February 2010 via dial-in access only.

USDA Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program; 2010 Industry Forums--Open Teleconference and/or Web Conference Meetings
Jan 25, 2010 -- This notice from the Rural Housing Service announces a series of teleconference and/or Web conference meetings regarding the USDA Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program, which are scheduled to occur during the months of January, April, July and October in 2010.

2009 HHS Poverty Guidelines Extended Until March 1, 2010     Top Story 
Jan 22, 2010 -- This notice from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), advises that (HHS) poverty guidelines will remain in effect until updated 2010 poverty guidelines are published, which shall not take place before March 1, 2010.

National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services; Notice of Meeting     Top Story 
Jan 22, 2010 -- This notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration announces a public meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services to be held on February 17-19, 2010, in Washington, D.C.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA); Broadband Technology Opportunities Program; Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) and Solicitation of Applications     Top Story 
Jan 22, 2010 -- In this notice, NTIA announces general policy and grant application procedures for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) that provides grants for deploying broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of the United States.
Learn more about: Recovery Act - Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (Round 2)

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Jan 22, 2010 -- 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

Rural Utilities Service; Broadband Initiatives Program; Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) and Solicitation of Applications     Top Story 
Jan 22, 2010 -- The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its general policy and application procedures for the second round of funding for the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) which provides loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas.
Learn more about: Broadband Initiatives Program (Round 2)

Rural Utilities Service; Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Program; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Jan 22, 2010 -- Comments are being requested by the Rural Utilities Service on a proposed rule issuing a regulation to establish the Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Program.

Comment Request: Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers, Employer Practices Related to Employment Outcomes Among Individuals With Disabilities
Jan 14, 2010 -- This notice from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research proposes a priority and request for comments for Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers on Employer Practices Related to Employment Outcomes Among Individuals with Disabilities.

Health Information Technology: Initial Set of Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record Technology; Interim Final Rule; Comment Request     Top Story 
Jan 13, 2010 -- The Department of Health and Human Services is issuing this interim final rule with a request for comments to adopt an initial set of standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria to adopting standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria to enhance the interoperability, functionality, utility, and security of health information technology and to support its meaningful use.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Electronic Health Record Incentive Program; Proposed Rule     Top Story 
Jan 13, 2010 -- This proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would implement the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) that provide incentive payments to eligible professionals and eligible hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs that adopt and meaningfully use certified electronic health record technology.

FY 2010 Special Diabetes Program for Indians Community-Directed Grant Program; Notice of Funding Opportunity
Jan 11, 2010 -- The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting grant applications for the FY 2010 Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) Community- Directed grant program, open to all existing SDPI grantees that have an active grant in place and are in compliance with the previous terms and conditions of the grant.

Indian Health Professions Preparatory, Indian Health Professions Pregraduate and Indian Health Professions Scholarship Programs; Notice of Availability of Funding     Top Story 
Jan 11, 2010 -- The Indian Health Service announces the availability of approximately $14.0 million to fund scholarships for the Indian Health Professions Preparatory, Indian Health Professions Pregraduate and Indian Health Professions Scholarship Programs for FY 2010.
Learn more about: Indian Health Professions Scholarship Program

National Advisory Council on Migrant Health; Notice of Meeting
Jan 11, 2010 -- This notice announces a public meeting of the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health, to be held February 10-11, 2010, in Seattle, Washington.

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 Section 1013: Request for Nominations--The Effective Health Care Stakeholder Group
Jan 7, 2010 -- The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invites nominations from interested organizations and knowledgeable individuals for members of the Stakeholder Group to support the work of the Effective Health Care Program, to develop evidence on the effectiveness and comparative effectiveness of different treatments and health care interventions of importance to the Medicare, Medicaid, and State Child Health Insurance programs.

Health Resources and Services Administration; Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority     Top Story 
Jan 5, 2010 -- This notice amends Part R of the Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) (60 FR 56605, as amended November 6, 1995; as last amended at 74 FR 48089-48090 dated September 21, 2009).

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Policy Committee's Workgroup Meetings; Notice of Meetings
Jan 5, 2010 -- This notice announces forthcoming public subcommittee meetings, available via webcast, of a federal advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC).

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Standards Committee's Workgroup Meetings; Notice of Meetings
Jan 5, 2010 -- This notice announces forthcoming subcommittee meetings of a federal advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) that will be open to the public via dial-in access only.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Policy Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Jan 4, 2010 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), to be held January 13, 2010, in Washington, D.C.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Standards Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Jan 4, 2010 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), to be held January 20, 2010, in Washington, D.C.

Medicare Program: Changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates; Changes to the Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates; Final Rule
Dec 31, 2009 -- This document from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services corrects technical errors that appeared in the final rule with comment period found in the Federal Register (FR) on November 20, 2009, entitled "Medicare Program: Changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates; Changes to the Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates."

Department of Health & Human Services; Solicitation of New Safe Harbors and Special Fraud Alerts; Notice of Intent to Develop Regulations
Dec 29, 2009 -- In accordance with section 205 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, this annual notice solicits proposals and recommendations for developing new and modifying existing safe harbor provisions under the Federal anti-kickback statute (section 1128B(b) of the Social Security Act), as well as developing new OIG Special Fraud Alerts.

Medicaid and CHIP Programs; Initial Core Set of Children's Healthcare Quality Measures for Voluntary Use by Medicaid and CHIP Programs; Notice With Comment Period
Dec 29, 2009 -- This notice identifies and solicits public comments on the initial, recommended core set of children's health care quality measures for voluntary use by State programs administered under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act, health insurance issuers and managed care entities that enter into contracts with Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs, and providers of items and services under these programs.

Proposed Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) for Social Innovation Fund Awards; Request for Feedback
Dec 29, 2009 -- This draft Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) from the Corporation for National and Community Service announces the availability of funding and requests feedback for the newly created Social Innovation Fund (SIF), authorized by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority
Dec 28, 2009 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Department of Health and Human Services announces in this notice the organizational units that are deleted in their entirety.

Notice of Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health
Dec 28, 2009 -- The Advisory Committee on Minority Health will hold a public meeting January 5-6, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel in Washington, DC.

Notice; Department of Veterans Affairs; Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services; 2010 Calendar Year Update
Dec 28, 2009 -- This Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) notice informs the public of updated data for calculating the "reasonable charges" collected or recovered by VA for medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to a veteran.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology HIT Policy Committee's NHIN Workgroup Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Dec 28, 2009 -- This notice announces a forthcoming public subcommittee meeting of a federal advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to be held via webcast January 7, 2010.

Health Resources and Services Administration; Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP); Data Collection Tool for State Offices of Rural Health Grant Program
Dec 23, 2009 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration proposes to revise the State Offices of Rural Health Grant Program--Guidance and Forms for the Application. ORHP seeks to expand the information gathered from grantees on their efforts to provide technical assistance to clients within their State.

Notice of Deadline for Submitting Completed Applications to Begin Participation in the Tribal Self-Governance Program in Fiscal Year 2011 or Calendar Year 2011
Dec 23, 2009 -- In this notice, the Office of Self-Governance (OSG) establishes a March 1, 2010, deadline for Indian tribes/consortia to submit completed applications to begin participation in the tribal self-governance program in fiscal year 2011 or calendar year 2011.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicaid Program and Children's Health Insurance Program; Model of Interstate Coordinated Enrollment and Coverage Process for Low-Income Children; Notice with Comment
Dec 18, 2009 -- This notice requests comments to assist in the development of a model process for the coordination of enrollment, retention, and coverage for low-income Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program eligible children as required under the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) of 2009.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances--July Through September 2009; Notice
Dec 18, 2009 -- This notice lists CMS manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and other Federal Register notices that were published from July 2009 through September 2009, relating to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); Medicare Program; Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI): Listening Session
Dec 18, 2009 -- This notice announces a listening session to discuss the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). This meeting is open to the public.

Department of Veterans Affairs; Specially Adapted Housing and Special Home Adaptation; Proposed Rule
Dec 18, 2009 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its adjudication regulations regarding specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants.

Indian Education--Professional Development Grants; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008
Dec 18, 2009 -- 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

Indian Health Service Contract Health Services Report; Proposed Information Collection
Dec 18, 2009 -- The IHS Contract Health Services Program needs this information to certify that the health care services requested and authorized by the IHS have been performed by the Contract Health Services provider(s); to have providers validate services provided; to process payments for health care services performed by such providers; and to serve as a legal document for health and medical care authorized by IHS and rendered by health care providers under contract with the IHS.

Notice of Submission of Proposed Information Collection to OMB; Emergency Comment Request; HUD Core Activities Reporting Related to the Recovery Act
Dec 18, 2009 -- Comments are being requested by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on a proposed information collection regarding HUD Core Activities Reporting related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Department of Education; College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP); Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
Dec 15, 2009 -- The purpose of CAMP is to provide academic and financial support to help migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their children complete their first year of college.
Learn more about: College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Overview Information; High School Equivalency Program (HEP); Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
Dec 15, 2009 -- The purpose of HEP is 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 gain employment or be placed in an institution of higher education (IHE) or other postsecondary education or training.
Learn more about: High School Equivalency Program (HEP)

Medicare Program; Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2010; Final Rule; Corrections
Dec 10, 2009 -- This document from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services corrects several technical and typographical errors in the final rule with comment period that appeared in the November 25, 2009, Federal Register entitled "Medicare Program; Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2010".

Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies; Notice Inviting Applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 (Parts 1 & 2)
Dec 9, 2009 -- 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 Part 1

Medicare Program: Changes to the Medicare Claims Appeal Procedures; Final Rule
Dec 9, 2009 -- Under the procedures in this final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare beneficiaries and, under certain circumstances, providers and suppliers of health care services can appeal adverse determinations regarding claims for benefits under Medicare Part A and Part B.

Medicare Program; Application of Certain Appeals Provisions to the Medicare Prescription Drug Appeals Process; Final Rule
Dec 9, 2009 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will implement the procedures that the Department of Health and Human Services will 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.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
Dec 7, 2009 -- HHS has released their semi-annual issuance of an inventory of rulemaking actions under development throughout the Department with a view to offering summarized information about forthcoming regulatory actions for public review.

Health Resources and Services Administration; Office of Rural Health Policy; Statement of Delegation of Authority
Dec 7, 2009 -- Notice is hereby given that the Administrator has delegated to the Associate Administrator and Deputy Associate Administrator, and their successors, Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), authorities vested in the Administrator under Title III, Part B, Section 313 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 245), as amended, as they pertain to the functions assigned to ORHP. These authorities may not be redelegated.

Survey of Healthcare Workers' Health and Safety Practices--New-- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Dec 7, 2009 -- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will conduct a hazard surveillance survey of healthcare workers that will provide important information on work practices associated with the use of important classes of hazardous chemical agents including aerosolized medications, antineoplastic agents, chemical sterilants, high level disinfectants, surgical smoke, and anesthetic gases.

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Dec 4, 2009 -- 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

Indian Education Demonstration Grants for Indian Children; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
Dec 3, 2009 -- 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

Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities--Regional Resource Center; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
Dec 3, 2009 -- The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services is inviting applications for funding for applications for another competition for Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities Regional Resource Center to serve Region 3.
Learn more about: Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities--Regional Resource Center for Region 3

Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority; Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; Notice
Dec 1, 2009 -- This notice from the Department of Health and Human Services gives the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority for the restructuring of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC).

Medicaid Program: State Flexibility for Medicaid Benefit Packages and Premiums and Cost Sharing; Final Rule
Nov 30, 2009 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services temporarily delays the effective date of the November 25, 2008 final rule entitled, "Medicaid Program; Premiums and Cost Sharing" and the December 3, 2008 final rule entitled, "Medicaid Program; State Flexibility for Medicaid Benefit Packages" until July 1, 2010.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Policy Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Nov 30, 2009 -- This notice announces a forthcoming public meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), to be held December 15, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Policy Committee's NHIN Workgroup Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Nov 30, 2009 -- This notice announces a forthcoming public subcommittee meeting of a federal advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to be held December 16, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Standards Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Nov 30, 2009 -- This notice announces a forthcoming public meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), to be held December 18, 2009, via telephone conference call, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

Federal Financial Participation in State Assistance Expenditures; Federal Matching Shares for Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and Aid to Needy Aged, Blind, or Disabled Persons for October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011
Nov 27, 2009 -- This notice announces the calculated Federal Medical Assistance Percentages and Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentages rates that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will use in determining the amount of Federal matching for State medical assistance (Medicaid) and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expenditures, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Contingency Funds, Child Support Enforcement collections, Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds of the Child Care and Development Fund, Foster Care Title IV-E Maintenance payments, and Adoption Assistance payments.

Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation; Issuance of Direct Final Rule and Opportunity for Comment
Nov 27, 2009 -- Comments are being requested by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on their revision of its Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Supplement--the HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR) in its entirety to reflect statutory, FAR, and government-wide and HHS policy changes since the last revision to the HHSAR in December 2006.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Approval of the Accreditation Commission for Health Care for Deeming Authority for Hospices; Final Notice
Nov 27, 2009 -- This final notice announces the decision of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to approve the accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for recognition as a national accreditation program for hospices seeking to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Approval of the Application by the Joint Commission for Continued Deeming Authority for Hospitals; Final Notice
Nov 27, 2009 -- This final notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces the approval of a deeming application from the Joint Commission for continued recognition as a national accreditation program for hospitals that request participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Conditional Approval of Application by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities for Continued Deeming Authority for Ambulatory Surgical Centers; Final Notice
Nov 27, 2009 -- This final notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces their decision to conditionally approve, with a 180 day probationary period, the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) for continued recognition as a national accreditation program for ambulatory surgical centers seeking to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

Medicare; Town Hall Meeting on the Fiscal Year 2011 Applications for New Medical Services and Technologies Add-on Payments and Informational Workshop on the Application Process and Criteria for New Medical Services and Technologies Add-on Payments
Nov 27, 2009 -- This notice announces a Town Hall meeting to discuss fiscal year (FY) 2011 applications for add-on payments for new medical services and technologies under the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS).

Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee; Notice of Public Meeting     Top Story 
Nov 27, 2009 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs gives notice that the Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee will conduct a telephone conference call public meeting from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2009, in Washington, DC.

Announcement of Meeting of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2020
Nov 25, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces the next public federal advisory committee meeting regarding the national health promotion and disease prevention objectives for 2020, to be held December 11, 2009, via WebEx software.

Medicare Program; Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2010; Final Rule; Comment Request
Nov 25, 2009 -- This final rule with comment period implements changes to the physician fee schedule and other Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that our payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services. It also implements or discusses certain provisions of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.

Medicare Program: Changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates; Changes to the Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates; Final Rule     Top Story 
Nov 20, 2009 -- This final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services revises the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system to implement applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from their continuing experience with this system. In addition, it updates the revised Medicare ambulatory surgical center payment system to implement applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from their continuing experience with this system.

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Nov 20, 2009 -- 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

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA; Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program; Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Nov 18, 2009 -- USDA published a final rulemaking on the SFMNP on December 6, 2006 (71 FR 74618), that contained an estimated information collection burden based on the rule's requirements for program operation and administration. The Department is now soliciting comments on the accuracy and reasonableness of this estimated burden since the original SFMNP rulemaking.

HOPE VI Main Street Grants; Notice of Funding Availability
Nov 18, 2009 -- The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announces the availability of funding for the HOPE VI Main Street program to provide grants to small communities to assist in the rejuvenation of an historic or traditional central business district or "Main Street" area by replacing unused commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units.
Learn more about: HOPE VI Main Street Program

HUD's Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 NOFA for Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly; Technical Correction
Nov 18, 2009 -- This notice contains program clarifications and a deadline change to the September 1, 2009 HUD Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly for Fiscal Year 2009.
Learn more about: Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly

HUD's Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 NOFA for Section 811 Housing for Persons With Disabilities (Section 811 Program); Technical Correction
Nov 18, 2009 -- This notice contains program clarifications and a deadline change to the September 1, 2009 HUD Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Section 811 Housing for Persons With Disabilities for Fiscal Year 2009.
Learn more about: Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Indian Health Service; Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions Educational Loans
Nov 18, 2009 -- Funding is available from the Indian Health Service for a loan repayment program for health professions educational loans (undergraduate and graduate) in return for full-time clinical service in Indian health programs.
Learn more about: Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Recovery Services for Adolescents and Families; Comment Request
Nov 18, 2009 -- SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment will conduct a data collection on the helpfulness of recovery support services for young people and their families after leaving substance abuse treatment.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Recovery Act--Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing, Notice of Closing of Application Solicitation
Nov 16, 2009 -- In this notice HUD announces that they will cease accepting applications as of November 18, 2009, for the Recovery Act--Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing program.
Learn more about: Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA); Broadband Initiatives Program and Broadband Technology Opportunities Program; Joint Request for Information
Nov 16, 2009 -- Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and NTIA announce the release of a joint Request for Information seeking public comment on certain issues relating to the implementation of the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Nov 13, 2009 -- 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

Guarantee Fee Rates for Guaranteed Loans for Fiscal Year 2010; Maximum Portion of Guarantee Authority Available for Fiscal Year 2010; Annual Renewal Fee for Fiscal Year 2010
Nov 12, 2009 -- In this notice Rural Development announces the new annual renewal fee for loans made under the Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program and the Rural Energy for America (Section 9007; formerly Section 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program) Guaranteed Loan Program.

Notice of Meetings of the President's Advisory Council for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships
Nov 12, 2009 -- The President's Advisory Council for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships announces a series of three public Council conference call meetings.

Medicare Program; Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update for Calendar Year 2010; Final Rule
Nov 10, 2009 -- This final rule sets forth an update to the Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) rates; the national standardized 60-day episode rates, the national per-visit rates, the non-routine medical supply (NRS) conversion factors, and the low utilization payment amount (LUPA) add-on payment amounts, under the Medicare prospective payment system for home health agencies effective January 1, 2010.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Standards Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting
Nov 10, 2009 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to be held November 19, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Nov 6, 2009 -- 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

HUD's Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 NOFA for the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program; Notice; Technical Correction
Nov 4, 2009 -- The technical corrections to the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program NOFA are available on the HUD Web site at http://www.hudhre.info/index.cfm?do=viewWhatIsNew#wn82.

Medical Examination of Aliens--Removal of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection From Definition of Communicable Disease of Public Health Significance; Final Rule
Nov 2, 2009 -- Through this final rule, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is amending its regulations to remove "Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection" from the definition of communicable disease of public health significance and remove references to ``HIV'' from the scope of examinations for aliens.

Notice of Funding Availability for Refinance Assistance Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009--Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program
Nov 2, 2009 -- This notice announces the Rural Housing Service intent to prioritize $400 million in funding that was previously made available in the Federal Register on July 23, 2009, for the refinance program to achieve the maximum amount of debt relief to existing borrowers and keep the borrowers in their homes, thereby, achieving long-term financial stability consistent with the goals of the Recovery Act.

Rural Utilities Service, USDA; Electric Program: Definition of Rural Area; Direct Final Rule; Comment Request
Nov 2, 2009 -- In this notice the Rural Utilities Service is requesting comments on amending the definition of "rural area" in the administration of the Electric program.

HIPAA Administrative Simplification: Enforcement Interim Final Rule; Request for Comments
Oct 30, 2009 -- Comments are being requested by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the adoption of this interim final rule to conform the enforcement regulations promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) to the effective statutory revisions made pursuant to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (the HITECH Act), which was enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Medicaid Program: State Flexibility for Medicaid Benefit Packages and Premiums and Cost Sharing; Proposed Rule
Oct 30, 2009 -- Comments are being requested on this document the from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that proposes to temporarily delay the effective date of the November 25, 2008 final rule entitled, "Medicaid Program; Premiums and Cost Sharing" and the December 3, 2008 final rule entitled, "Medicaid Program; State Flexibility for Medicaid Benefit Packages."

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Oct 30, 2009 -- 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

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project and Centers Program--Field Initiated (FI) Projects- Research; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
Oct 29, 2009 -- Grants 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 - Research

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project and Centers Program--Field Initiated Projects - Development; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
Oct 29, 2009 -- For this opportunity from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services a grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, or methods, including designing and developing prototypes and processes, that are beneficial to individuals with disabilities.
Learn more about: Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project and Centers Program-- Field Initiated Projects - Development

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Conditional Approval of the Community Health Accreditation Program for Continued Deeming Authority for Hospices
Oct 23, 2009 -- This notice announces the decision Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to conditionally approve, with a 180-day probationary period, the Community Health Accreditation Program's (CHAP's) request for continued recognition as a national accreditation program for hospices seeking to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

Medicare Program; Criteria for Medicare Coverage of Inpatient Hospital Rehabilitation Services; Rescission of Ruling
Oct 23, 2009 -- This notice rescinds HCFA Ruling 85-2, "Medicare Criteria for Coverage of Inpatient Hospital Rehabilitation Services," 50 FR 31040 (July 31, 1985), as corrected at 50 FR 32643 (Aug. 13, 1985) which established the criteria for Medicare coverage of inpatient hospital rehabilitation services.

Medicare Program; Medicare Part B Monthly Actuarial Rates, Premium Rate, and Annual Deductible Beginning January 1, 2010
Oct 22, 2009 -- 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, 2010.

Medicare Program; Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs; Proposed Rule
Oct 22, 2009 -- The proposed revisions from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services clarify various program participation requirements; specify changes to strengthen beneficiary protections; ensure that plan offerings to beneficiaries include meaningful differences; improve plan payment rules and processes; and implement new policy such as a Part D formulary policy.

Notice: Medicare Program; Part A Premium for Calendar Year 2010 for the Uninsured Aged and for Certain Disabled Individuals Who Have Exhausted Other Entitlement
Oct 22, 2009 -- 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) 2010.

Notice; Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts for Calendar Year 2010
Oct 22, 2009 -- 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) 2010 under Medicare's Hospital Insurance Program (Medicare Part A).

HUD's Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 NOFA for the HOPE VI Revitalization Grants Program; Technical Correction
Oct 21, 2009 -- The technical corrections to the NOFA are available on the HUD Web site at http://www.hud.gov/hopevi and http:// www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa09/grphopevirevi.cfm, and on the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov, CFDA Number 14.866.

National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice; Notice of Meeting
Oct 21, 2009 -- The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice will hold a public meeting, November 19-20 in Rockville, MD.

Community Programs Guaranteed Loans; Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Oct 19, 2009 -- This notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for 7 CFR part 3575, subpart A, "Community Programs Guaranteed Loans."

HIT Standards Committee's Implementation Workgroup Meeting; Notice of Public Meeting
Oct 19, 2009 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory subcommittee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to be held October 29, 2009, in Washington, DC.

Notice of a Public Meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality
Oct 16, 2009 -- This notice announces a meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality to be held on Friday, November 13, 2009, in Rockville, Maryland 20850.

Notice; Charter Re-Establishment for the Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees
Oct 16, 2009 -- This notice from the Department of Agriculture announces that the eight charters for the Secure Rural School Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) are being re-established and authorized to carry out the requirements of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service; Inviting Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2010
Oct 14, 2009 -- This Notice is to invite applications for loans and grants under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program for fiscal year (FY) 2010, to assist in economically developing rural areas.
Learn more about: Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program

Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for Inviting Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program Preapplications for Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems
Oct 13, 2009 -- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), solicits applications of two individual grants: one single grant from the passenger transportation funds appropriated for the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program and another grant for Federally Recognized Native American Tribes' from funds appropriated for the RBEG program.