News from the past 120 days.
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Loan Guarantees Under Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP) for Fiscal Year 2013
Top Story
May 23, 2013 -- This request for proposals from the Rural Housing Service is for guaranteed loans under the section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program to increase the supply of affordable rural rental housing through the use of loan guarantees that encourage partnerships between the Agency, private lenders, and public agencies.
Learn more about: Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP)
Rural Business-Cooperative Service; Inviting Applications for Rural Cooperative Development Grants
May 23, 2013 -- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of Rural Cooperative Development Grants to improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative development.
Learn more about: Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG)
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Program; Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking; Comment Request
May 20, 2013 -- This proposed rule and comment request from the Administration for Children and Families makes changes to the Child Care and Development Fund regulatory provisions in order to strengthen health and safety requirements for child care providers, reflect current State and local practices to improve the quality of child care, infuse new accountability for Federal tax dollars, and leverage the latest knowledge and research in the field of early care and education to better serve low-income children and families.
Funding Availability Under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program (Rehabilitation)
May 16, 2013 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funds for assistance to rehabilitate currently operational Grant and Per Diem grantee facilities originally funded under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) contains information concerning the program, funding priorities, application process, and amount of funding available.
Learn more about: VA Grant and Per Diem Rehabilitation Program
Funding Availability Under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program (VANS)
May 16, 2013 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funds for assistance to acquire vans in order to facilitate transportation of veteran participants for currently operational Grant and Per Diem grantee projects funded under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. This Notice of Funding Availability contains information concerning the program, funding priorities, application process, and amount of funding available.
Learn more about: VA Grant and Per Diem Van Program
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Medicaid Program; State Disproportionate Share Hospital Allotment Reductions; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
May 15, 2013 -- The statute, as amended by the Affordable Care Act, requires aggregate reductions to state Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) allotments annually from fiscal year (FY) 2014 through FY 2020. This proposed rule delineates a methodology to implement the annual reductions for FY 2014 and FY 2015. The rule also proposes to add additional DSH reporting requirements for use in implementing the DSH health reform methodology.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service; Inviting Applications for Rural Business Opportunity Grants
May 14, 2013 -- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of
funding from the Rural Business Opportunity Grant program for fiscal year (FY) 2013, to improve the economic conditions of rural areas.
Learn more about: Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG)
Medicare Program; FY 2014 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update; Hospice Quality Reporting Requirements; and Updates on Payment Reform; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
May 10, 2013 -- This proposed rule with comment request from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would update the hospice payment rates and the wage index for fiscal year (FY) 2014, and continue the phase out of the wage index budget neutrality adjustment factor (BNAF). This proposed rule would also clarify how hospices are to report diagnoses on hospice claims, and proposes changes in the requirements for the hospice quality reporting program.
Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Proposed Fiscal Year 2014 Rates; Quality Reporting Requirements for Specific Providers; Hospital Conditions of Participation; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Top Story
May 10, 2013 -- Comments are being requested by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on their proposal to revise the Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment systems for operating and capital-related costs of acute care hospitals. They are also proposing to update the payment policies and the annual payment rates for the Medicare prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services provided by long-term care hospitals and implement certain statutory changes made by the Affordable Care Act. Also in the proposal are a number of changes relating to direct graduate medical education and indirect medical education payments and to update policies relating to the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program and the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
May 10, 2013 -- 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; Rehabilitation Services Administration-Centers for Independent Living
May 9, 2013 -- This program from the Department of Education provides support for planning, conducting, administering, and evaluating centers for independent living.
Learn more about: Centers for Independent Living
Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2014; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
May 8, 2013 -- This proposed rule with comment request from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would update the prospective payment rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for federal fiscal year (FY) 2014 (for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2013 and on or before September 30, 2014) as required by the statute.
Community Programs Guaranteed Loans; Final Rule
May 7, 2013 -- The Rural Housing Service is amending the regulations utilized to service the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program in two separate sections, in order to clarify the types of projects that are eligible for a Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan.
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program and Revisions to the Definition of “Chronically Homeless” Extension of Public Comment Only for Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program; Proposed Rule
May 7, 2013 -- This document announces that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is extending the public comment period only for the proposed regulations for the Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program to July 1, 2013. HUD is not extending the public comment deadline for HUD's proposed revisions to the definition of “chronically homeless.” HUD will commence reviewing public comments on the proposed definition of “chronically homeless” following the close of the comment period, May 28, 2013, provided in the March 27, 2013, publication.
Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities for FY 2014; Comment Request
May 6, 2013 -- This proposed rule with comment request from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would update the payment rates used under the prospective payment system (PPS) for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for fiscal year (FY) 2014, would revise and rebase the SNF market basket, and would make certain technical and conforming revisions in the regulations text. This proposed rule also includes a proposed policy for reporting the SNF market basket forecast error correction in certain limited circumstances and a proposed new item for the Minimum Data Set (MDS), Version 3.0.
Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request; Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) Program.
May 6, 2013 -- Comments are being requested by the Administration for Children and Families on proposed data collection activities as part of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants program.
Community Connect Broadband Grant Program; Final Rule
May 3, 2013 -- The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) amends its regulations for the Community-Oriented Connectivity Broadband Grant Program. The purpose of this regulatory change is to provide the Agency the ability to target limited resources to geographical as well as technological areas of need. This rule is not applicable to Community Connect grant applications filed for funding prior to the publication of a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) under this regulation.
Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Application From the Accreditation Commission for Health Care for Continued CMS-Approval of Its Hospice Accreditation Program; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
May 3, 2013 -- This proposed notice with comment request from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) acknowledges the receipt of an application from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for hospices that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
May 3, 2013 -- 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
Office of the Secretary; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority
Apr 30, 2013 -- This organizational change is to rename the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations (ANC), establish five Divisions under the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations (ANC), and rename one existing Division. Organization, rename “Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations” to “Office of Emergency Management.”
Information Collection Request Title: Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program Performance Measure Determination
Apr 26, 2013 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration is requesting comments on this, the second of two Federal Register notices issued, regarding the intent to collect program performance measures on the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Apr 26, 2013 -- 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
Notice of Intent to Close 16 Field Offices
Apr 26, 2013 -- This notice from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) advises the public that HUD intends to close 16 small field offices.
Rural Establishment Innovation Survey (REIS); Submission for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request
Apr 24, 2013 -- The Economic Research Service plans to conduct the Rural Establishment Innovation Survey as a one-time inquiry. The proposed collection and comment request will contribute to a better understanding of how international competition and the increasing knowledge intensity of economic activity in the U.S. are affecting the vitality of rural areas and effective adjustment of these pressures.
Tribal Management Grant Program; Notice of Funding Availability
Top Story
Apr 24, 2013 -- The Indian Health Service is accepting competitive grant applications for the Tribal Management Grant Program. Federally-recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations may apply to establish goals and performance measures for current health programs; assess current management capacity to determine if new components are appropriate; analyze programs to determine if management is practicable; and develop infrastructure systems to manage or organize programs, functions, services, and activities.
Learn more about: Tribal Management Grant (TMG) Program
Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism and A National Broadband Plan for Our Future; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Apr 23, 2013 -- In this document, the Federal Communications Commission seeks comment on a proposal to clarify the schools and libraries universal service support program (E-rate program) requirements for bundling devices, equipment and services that are ineligible for E-rate support.
Notice of Final Issuance on the Adoption of Administration for Native Americans (ANA) Program Policies and Procedures
Apr 22, 2013 -- The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) is issuing final interpretive rules, general statements of policy and rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice relating to the following Funding Opportunity Announcements: Social and Economic Development Strategies, SEDS—Native Asset Building Initiative, Sustainable Employment and Economic Development Strategies, Native Language Preservation and Maintenance), Native Language Preservation and Maintenance—Esther Martinez Initiative, and Environmental Regulatory Enhancement. This notice also provides information about how ANA will administer these programs.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Apr 19, 2013 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is publishing several proposed collections for public comment on the following: 1) Medicaid Managed Care Regulations; 2) Consolidated Renal Operations in a Web Enabled Network Third-party Submission Authorization Form; 3) Implementation of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and Medicare Advantage Plan Disenrollment Reasons Survey; and 4) National Implementation of In-Center Hemodialysis CAHPS Survey.
Federal Property Suitable as Facilities To Assist the Homeless
Apr 19, 2013 -- The Housing and Urban Development Department has identified 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
Final Priority; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research-Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program-Disability Rehabilitation Research Project
Apr 17, 2013 -- Special Education and Rehabilitative Services announces a priority for a Disability Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers program administered by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). This notice announces a priority that NIDRR intends to use for a DRRP competition in FY 2013 and possibly later years.
Information Collection Request Title: Data Collection Tool for State Offices of Rural Health Grant Program. (OMB No. 0915-0322)—Extension; Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Top Story
Apr 17, 2013 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration is requesting comments on the proposal to revise the State Offices of Rural Health Grant Program—Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and Forms for the Application. The FOA is used annually by 50 states in preparing applications for Grants under the State Offices of Rural Health Grant Program (SORH), and in preparing the required report. ORHP seeks to continue gathering information from grantees on their efforts to provide technical assistance to clients within their state.
Solicitation of Nomination for Appointment to the Advisory Committee on Minority Health
Apr 16, 2013 -- The Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Minority Health, is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as a member of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Apr 12, 2013 -- 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
Rural Energy for America Program-Grants and Guaranteed Loans; Proposed Rule
Apr 12, 2013 -- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service and the Rural Utilities Service is proposing grant and guaranteed loan programs for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects as provided in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. This proposed rule will revise the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart B.
Learn more about: Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans
Funding Opportunity Announcement for Family Violence Prevention and Services/Grants for Domestic Violence Shelters/Grants to Native American Tribes (including Alaska Native Villages) and Tribal Organizations
Top Story
Apr 10, 2013 -- This notice announces the acceptance of applications for grants for the purpose of assisting Tribes in efforts to increase public awareness about, and primary and secondary prevention of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence and to provide immediate shelter and supportive services for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents.
Learn more about: Family Violence Prevention and Services Grants for Domestic Violence Shelters/Grants to Native American Tribes (Including Alaska Native Villages) and Tribal Organizations
Medicare and State Health Care Programs: Fraud and Abuse; Electronic Health Records Safe Harbor Under the Anti-Kickback Statute; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Apr 10, 2013 -- This proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General would impact small rural hospitals, HRSA’s FLEX and SHIP grantees, rural health centers, State Offices of Rural Health and others. The proposed rule makes the suggested edit to extend the Stark and anti-kickback exceptions for purchasing electronic health records from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2016. The proposed changes would drop an e-prescribing requirement and amend language regarding the types of electronic health records that qualify for the waivers; helping rural providers manage the cost of implementing electronic health records.
Medicare Program; Physicians' Referrals to Health Care Entities With Which They Have Financial Relationships: Exception for Certain Electronic Health Records Arrangements; Comment Request
Apr 10, 2013 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requesting comments on this proposed rule that would revise the exception to the physician self-referral prohibition for certain arrangements involving the donation of electronic health records items and services.
Proposed Information Collection (Women Veterans Healthcare Barriers Survey)
Apr 10, 2013 -- This study will help the Veterans' Administration (VA) better understand barriers women Veterans face accessing VA care, the comprehensiveness of care, and improve their understanding of the long-term consequences of military deployment. The data collected will allow the VA to plan and provide better health care for women Veterans and to support reports to Congress about the status of women Veterans' health care.
Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Intermediary Relending Program
Apr 8, 2013 -- This notice announces the acceptance of applications under the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) that provides loans to intermediaries for the establishment of revolving loan funds in rural areas. These revolving loan funds are used to assist with financing business and economic development activity to create or retain jobs in disadvantaged and remote communities.
Learn more about: Intermediary Relending Program (IRP)
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Apr 5, 2013 -- 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
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Exchange Functions: Standards for Navigators and Non-Navigator Assistance Personnel
Apr 5, 2013 -- The Department of Health and Human Services has released a proposed rule outlining standards that Navigators in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces must meet, and clarifying earlier guidance about the Navigator program.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Exchange Functions: Standards for Navigators and Non-Navigator Assistance Personnel; Proposed Rule
Top Story
Apr 5, 2013 -- The proposed regulations by the Department of Health and Human Services would create conflict-of-interest, training and certification, and meaningful access standards applicable to Navigators and non-Navigator assistance personnel in Federally-facilitated Exchanges, including State Partnership Exchanges, and to non-Navigator assistance personnel in State-based Exchanges that are funded through federal Exchange Establishment grants.
Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas; Final Rule
Apr 2, 2013 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs amends its regulations to establish a new program to provide grants to eligible entities 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.
Medicaid Program; Increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage Changes Under the Affordable Care Act of 2010; Final Rule with Request for Comments
Apr 2, 2013 -- Comments are being requested by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on this final rule that implements the provisions of the Affordable Care Act relating to the availability of increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) rates for certain adult populations under states' Medicaid programs.
Child Nutrition Programs; Income Eligibility Guidelines
Mar 29, 2013 -- The USDA Food and Nutrition Service announces a correction to the Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines that were published on March 22, 2013.
Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Mar 29, 2013 -- 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
Notice of Funding Availability for the Rural Energy for America Program
Mar 29, 2013 -- The Rural Business Cooperative Service announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Energy for Rural American Program (REAP) for Fiscal Year 2013. This includes funding for the Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Project grants and guaranteed loans, as well as the Renewable Energy System Feasibility Study grants.
Learn more about: Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): Income Eligibility Guidelines
Mar 29, 2013 -- The USDA Food and Nutrition Service announces a correction to the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) Income Eligibility Guidelines that were published on March 22, 2013.
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program and Revisions to the Definition of “Chronically Homeless”
Mar 27, 2013 -- This proposed rule from the Department of Housing and Urban Development would provide for the establishment of regulations to implement the new Rural Housing Stability Assistance program. This rule also proposes to establish a definition for “chronically homeless” that includes a definition of “homeless occasion” that better targets persons with the longest histories of homelessness and the highest level of need.
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Delta Health Care Services Grants
Top Story
Mar 26, 2013 -- The Rural Business—Cooperative Service announces the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program application window and the availability of $3,000,000 in grant funds to be competitively awarded for the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program.
Learn more about: Delta Health Care Services Grant Program
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Mar 22, 2013 -- 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
Small, Rural School Achievement Program; Application Deadline for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013
Top Story
Mar 20, 2013 -- Under the Small, Rural School Achievement program, the U.S. Department of Education awards grants on a formula basis to eligible local educational agencies to address the unique needs of rural school districts. The deadline for submission is May 31, 2013.
Learn more about: Small Rural School Achievement Program
Indian Health Professions Preparatory, Indian Health Professions Pre-graduate, and Indian Health Professions Scholarship Programs
Top Story
Mar 18, 2013 -- 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 2012. The application deadline for new and continuing students is April 14, 2012.
Learn more about: Indian Health Service Health Professions Scholarship Program
Medicare Program; Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (Part B)
Mar 18, 2013 -- This notice announces a CMS Ruling that establishes a policy that revises the current policy on Part B billing following the denial of a Part A inpatient hospital claim by a Medicare review contractor on the basis that the inpatient admission was determined not reasonable and necessary.
Medicare Program; Part B Inpatient Billing in Hospitals
Mar 18, 2013 -- The proposed rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would revise Medicare Part B billing policies when a Part A claim for an hospital inpatient admission is denied as not medically reasonable and necessary.
Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Fiscal Year 2013 Rates; Hospitals' Resident Caps for Graduate Medical Education Payment Purposes; Quality Reporting Requirements for Specific Providers and for Ambulatory Surgical Centers; Corrections
Mar 13, 2013 -- This document corrects technical errors in the correcting document that appeared in the October 3, 2012 <em>Federal Register</em> entitled “Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Fiscal Year 2013 Rates; Hospitals' Resident Caps for Graduate Medical Education Payment Purposes; Quality Reporting Requirements for Specific Providers and for Ambulatory Surgical Centers; Correction.”
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Mar 8, 2013 -- 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
Advancing Interoperability and Health Information Exchange; Notice With Comment; Request for Information.
Top Story
Mar 7, 2013 -- The Department of Health and Human Services seeks input on a series of potential policy and programmatic changes to accelerate electronic health information exchange across providers, as well as new ideas that would be both effective and feasible to implement.
Medicare Program; Extension of the Payment Adjustment for Low-volume Hospitals and the Medicare-dependent Hospital (MDH) Program Under the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems (IPPS) for Acute Care Hospitals for Fiscal Year 2013
Top Story
Mar 7, 2013 -- This notice of extension from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces changes to the payment adjustment for low-volume hospitals and to the Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) program under the hospital inpatient prospective payment systems.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Mar 1, 2013 -- 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
Rural Health Care Support Mechanism; Final Rule
Top Story
Mar 1, 2013 -- In this document, the Federal Communications Commission reforms its universal service support program for health care, transitioning its existing Internet Access and Rural Health Care Pilot programs into a new, efficient Healthcare Connect Fund. This Fund will expand health care provider access to broadband, especially in rural areas, and encourage the creation of state and regional broadband health care networks.
National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services; Notice of Meeting
Top Story
Feb 28, 2013 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration will hold a public meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services on April 3-5, 2013, in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Committee will be examining hospice and palliative care for rural patients and efforts to ameliorate rural poverty.
Department of Health and Human Services; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Health Insurance Market Rules; Rate Review; Final Rule
Feb 27, 2013 -- This final rule, with comment request, implements provisions related to fair health insurance premiums, guaranteed availability, guaranteed renewability, single risk pools, and catastrophic plans, consistent with title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, referred to collectively as the Affordable Care Act.
Grants for the Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot (RVCP); Final Rule
Feb 25, 2013 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs adopts as a final rule, without change, the proposal to establish a pilot program known as the Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot (RVCP). The RVCP will provide grants to eligible community-based organizations and local and State government entities to be used by these organizations and entities to assist veterans and their families who are transitioning from military service to civilian life in rural or underserved communities.
VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program; Final Rule.
Feb 25, 2013 -- This document adopts as a final rule, with changes, the proposed rule to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations concerning VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. This rulemaking updates and improves the clarity of these regulations, and implements and authorizes new VA policies.
Medicare Program; Medical Loss Ratio Requirements for the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Feb 22, 2013 -- This proposed rule and comment request from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would implement medical loss ratio requirements for the Medicare Advantage Program and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Site Retention Assessment Questionnaire; Comment Request
Top Story
Feb 19, 2013 -- The purpose of this project from the Health Resources and Services Administration is to gather survey information from administrative officials at NHSC-approved sites that will guide NHSC initiatives and assist sites in improving their retention outcomes.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Feb 15, 2013 -- 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
Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Applications for National Farmworker Jobs Program Grants
Top Story
Feb 12, 2013 -- The Employment and Training Administration announces a grant competition for operating the National Farmworker Jobs Program, a nationally-directed, locally-administered program of job training and employment assistance for migrants and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents.
Learn more about: National Farmworker Jobs Program
National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps; Request for Nominations
Top Story
Feb 11, 2013 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration is requesting nominations to fill five vacancies on the National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps. The agency must receive nominations on or before March 13, 2013.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Medicare, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Programs; Transparency Reports and Reporting of Physician Ownership or Investment Interests; Final Rule
Feb 8, 2013 -- This final rule will require applicable manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologicals, or medical supplies covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to report annually to the Secretary certain payments or transfers of value provided to physicians or teaching hospitals (“covered recipients”). In addition, applicable manufacturers and applicable group purchasing organizations (GPOs) are required to report annually certain physician ownership or investment interests.
Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless
Feb 8, 2013 -- 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
Reports of Physician Ownership and Investment Interests; Data Collection; Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Feb 8, 2013 -- Comments are being requested on this data submission whereby each applicable manufacturer and applicable group purchasing organization must report to CMS on an annual basis all ownership and investment interests in the applicable manufacturer or applicable group purchasing organization that were held by a physician or an immediate family member of a physician during the preceding calendar year.
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Part II-Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Top Story
Feb 7, 2013 -- This proposed rule with comment request would reform Medicare regulations that CMS has identified as unnecessary, obsolete, or excessively burdensome on health care providers and suppliers. It would also eliminate the requirement that a physician be physically present at least once in a two-week period at critical access hospitals (CAHs), rural health clinics (RHCs), and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).
Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees; Final Rule
Feb 6, 2013 -- The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Rural Development Utilities Programs, is adopting as final, with change, an interim rule (published at <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/76-FR-13770">76 FR 13770</a> on March 14, 2011) for its regulation for the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (Broadband Loan Program).
Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program-Refinancing Hospital Loans; Final Rule
Feb 5, 2013 -- This rule revises the regulations governing FHA's Section 242 Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program for the purpose of codifying, in regulation, FHA's implementation of its authority to refinance existing loans of hospitals without FHA-insured mortgages, without conditioning the exercise of such authority on the expenditure of funds for construction or renovation.
Indian Health Service; Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions Educational Loans
Top Story
Feb 4, 2013 -- 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. This program announcement is subject to the appropriation of funds.
Learn more about: Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions Educational Loans
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority
Feb 1, 2013 -- This notice deletes the Senior Advisor to the Administrator from HRSA's hierarchy affecting the order of succession. This notice reflects the new Order of Succession for HRSA.
Internal Revenue Service; Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit; Final Regulations
Feb 1, 2013 -- This document contains final regulations relating to the health insurance premium tax credit enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. These final regulations provide guidance to individuals related to employees who may enroll in eligible employer-sponsored coverage and who wish to enroll in qualified health plans through Affordable Insurance Exchanges (Exchanges) and claim the premium tax credit.
Internal Revenue Service; Shared Responsibility Payment for Not Maintaining Minimum Essential Coverage; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Feb 1, 2013 -- This document contains proposed regulations relating to the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, as amended by the TRICARE Affirmation Act and Public Law 111-173. These proposed regulations provide guidance on the liability for the shared responsibility payment for not maintaining minimum essential coverage.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Exchange Functions: Eligibility for Exemptions; Miscellaneous Minimum Essential Coverage Provisions; Proposed Rule; Comment Request
Feb 1, 2013 -- This proposed rule would implement certain functions of the Affordable Insurance Exchanges. These specific statutory functions include determining eligibility for and granting certificates of exemption from the shared responsibility payment for not maintaining minimum essential coverage.
Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Programs, and Exchanges: Essential Health Benefits in Alternative Benefit Plans, Eligibility Notices, Fair Hearing and Appeal Processes for Medicaid and Exchange Eligibility Appeals and Other Provisions Related to Eligibility and Enrollment for Exchanges, Medicaid and CHIP, and Medicaid Premiums and Cost Sharing; Correction
Jan 30, 2013 -- This document makes a technical correction to the proposed rule published in the January 22, 2013 <em>Federal Register</em> entitled “Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Programs, and Exchanges: Essential Health Benefits in Alternative Benefit Plans, Eligibility Notices, Fair Hearing and Appeal Processes for Medicaid and Exchange Eligibility Appeals and Other Provisions Related to Eligibility and Enrollment for Exchanges, Medicaid and CHIP, and Medicaid Premiums and Cost Sharing.”
Applications for New Awards; Indian Education-Professional Development Grants Program
Jan 25, 2013 -- The purposes of the Indian Education Professional Development Grants program are 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: Indian Education - Professional Development Grants Program
Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy, Security, Enforcement, and Breach Notification Rules Under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act; Other Modifications to the HIPAA Rules; Final Rule
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Jan 25, 2013 -- The Department of Health and Human Services is issuing this final rule to: Modify the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy, Security, and Enforcement Rules to implement statutory amendments under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act to strengthen the privacy and security protection for individuals' health information; modify the rule for Breach Notification for Unsecured Protected Health Information under the HITECH Act to address public comment received on the interim final rule; modify the HIPAA Privacy Rule to strengthen the privacy protections for genetic information by implementing section 105 of Title I of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; and make certain other modifications to the HIPAA Privacy, Security, Breach Notification, and Enforcement Rules to improve their workability and effectiveness and to increase flexibility for and decrease burden on the regulated entities.
Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines
Jan 24, 2013 -- 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.
