Federal Register notices of interest to rural health and human services, with information provided via the Rural Assistance Center Copyright 2012 Rural Assistance Center http://www.raconline.org/news/federalregister.php This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/03/2012-2065/federal-property-suitable-as-facilities-to-assist-the-homeless Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:43:34 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/03/2012-2065/federal-property-suitable-as-facilities-to-assist-the-homeless Through this final rule, HUD implements policy to ensure that its core programs are open to all eligible individuals and families regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/03/2012-2343/equal-access-to-housing-in-hud-programs-regardless-of-sexual-orientation-or-gender-identity Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/03/2012-2343/equal-access-to-housing-in-hud-programs-regardless-of-sexual-orientation-or-gender-identity This request for comments from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses the applicability of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) to hospital inpatients. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/02/2012-2287/medicare-program-emergency-medical-treatment-and-labor-act-emtala-applicability-to-hospital Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:22:44 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/02/2012-2287/medicare-program-emergency-medical-treatment-and-labor-act-emtala-applicability-to-hospital This proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would revise requirements pertaining to Medicaid reimbursement for covered outpatient drugs to implement provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. This proposed rule would also revise other requirements related to covered outpatient drugs, including key aspects of Medicaid coverage, payment, and the drug rebate program. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/02/2012-2014/medicaid-program-covered-outpatient-drugs Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/02/2012-2014/medicaid-program-covered-outpatient-drugs The Rural Business-Cooperative Service is making several technical amendments to correct the Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP) regulation, including one to conform to the 2008 Farm Bill provision that allows a Rural Business Investment Company two years to raise its capital. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/01/2012-1969/rural-business-investment-program Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:51:31 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/01/2012-1969/rural-business-investment-program This document from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services corrects technical errors that occurred in the Addendum of the final rule entitled Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Fiscal Year 2012 Rates which appeared in the August 18, 2011 Federal Register. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/01/2012-2220/medicare-program-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment-systems-for-acute-care-hospitals-and-the Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/01/2012-2220/medicare-program-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment-systems-for-acute-care-hospitals-and-the The Health Resources and Services Administration is issuing a non-competitive replacement award under the Telehealth Resource Center Grant Program to the California Telehealth Network in order to continue advancement of the effective use of telehealth technology that will facilitate the provision of health care services to rural, medically-underserved California residents. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/31/2012-2071/public-health-service-act-non-competitive-replacement-award Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:28:30 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/31/2012-2071/public-health-service-act-non-competitive-replacement-award The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is challenging multidisciplinary teams to create and test a module or application that makes it easy for disabled consumers to access and interact with the health data stored in their Electronic Health Records (EHRs). https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/27/2012-1849/announcement-of-requirements-and-registration-for-ehr-accessibility-challenge Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:27:36 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/27/2012-1849/announcement-of-requirements-and-registration-for-ehr-accessibility-challenge The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces that the proposed list of the Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and entities that would receive priority in applying for the assignment of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayors (Corps personnel, Corps members) during the period November 1, 2011, through September 30, 2012 is posted on the NHSC Web site. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/27/2012-1844/recruitment-of-sites-for-assignment-of-national-health-service-corps-loan-repayors-fy-2012 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:23:56 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/27/2012-1844/recruitment-of-sites-for-assignment-of-national-health-service-corps-loan-repayors-fy-2012 The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology invites innovators to submit their best ideas and models for improving the health of American commuters through better collection, exchange, and analysis of health data. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/27/2012-1846/announcement-of-requirements-and-registration-for-health-innovations-in-commuting-challenge Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/27/2012-1846/announcement-of-requirements-and-registration-for-health-innovations-in-commuting-challenge The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology announces a Discharge Follow-Up Appointment Challenge that challenges software developers to create an easy-to-use web-based tool that will make post-discharge follow-up appointment scheduling a more effective and shared process for care providers, patients and caregivers. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/27/2012-1852/announcement-of-requirements-and-registration-for-discharge-follow-up-appointment-challenge Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/27/2012-1852/announcement-of-requirements-and-registration-for-discharge-follow-up-appointment-challenge This Notice announces a series of teleconferences and/or Web conference meetings regarding the USDA Multi-Family Housing Program. The teleconference and/or Web conference meetings will be scheduled on a quarterly basis, but may be held monthly at the Agency's discretion. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/26/2012-1573/us-department-of-agriculture-multi-family-housing-program-2012-industry-forums-open-teleconference Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/26/2012-1573/us-department-of-agriculture-multi-family-housing-program-2012-industry-forums-open-teleconference 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. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/26/2012-1603/annual-update-of-the-hhs-poverty-guidelines Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/26/2012-1603/annual-update-of-the-hhs-poverty-guidelines The Rural Housing Service announces that funding is available for the Rural Development Voucher Program, available to low income tenants of Rural Development-financed multifamily properties where the Section 515 loan has been prepaid, either through prepayment or a foreclosure action, prior to the loan's maturity date and after September 30, 2005. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/24/2012-1270/notice-of-funding-availability-rural-development-voucher-program Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/24/2012-1270/notice-of-funding-availability-rural-development-voucher-program Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. http://www.raconline.org/news/details.php?news_id=17204 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST http://www.raconline.org/news/details.php?news_id=17204 The Employment and Training Administration is requesting comments on a new information collection proposed to meet the reporting, recordkeeping and program evaluation requirements of both H-1B grant programs. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/23/2012-1226/comment-request-for-information-collection-for-the-h-1b-technical-skills-training-h-1b-and-the-h-1b Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/23/2012-1226/comment-request-for-information-collection-for-the-h-1b-technical-skills-training-h-1b-and-the-h-1b The Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee will conduct a telephone conference call meeting on Monday, January 30, 2012, in Washington, DC. The meeting is open to the public. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/23/2012-1173/veterans-rural-health-advisory-committee-notice-of-meeting Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/23/2012-1173/veterans-rural-health-advisory-committee-notice-of-meeting The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces, subject to the appropriation of funds, funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 for the IHS Loan Repayment Program for health professional educational loans in return for full-time clinical service in Indian health programs. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/23/2012-1211/loan-repayment-program-for-repayment-of-health-professions-educational-loans-announcement-type Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/23/2012-1211/loan-repayment-program-for-repayment-of-health-professions-educational-loans-announcement-type This NOFA announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Fiscal Year 2012 for financial assistance as follows: grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grants and guaranteed loans for the development and construction of renewable energy systems and for energy efficiency improvement projects; grants for conducting energy audits; grants for conducting renewable energy development assistance; and grants for conducting renewable energy system feasibility studies. http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/20/2012-755/notice-of-funding-availability-for-the-rural-energy-for-america-program Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/20/2012-755/notice-of-funding-availability-for-the-rural-energy-for-america-program The National Advisory Council on Migrant Health will hold a public meeting on February 7 - 8, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss services and issues related to the health of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families and to formulate recommendations for the Secretary of Health and Human Services. http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/19/2012-959/national-advisory-council-on-migrant-health-notice-of-meeting Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/19/2012-959/national-advisory-council-on-migrant-health-notice-of-meeting This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The meeting will be held on February 1, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m./Eastern Time, and will be open to the public. http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/19/2012-1012/hit-policy-committee-advisory-meeting-notice-of-meeting Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/19/2012-1012/hit-policy-committee-advisory-meeting-notice-of-meeting This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The meeting will be held on February 29, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m./Eastern Time and will be open to the public. http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/19/2012-1013/hit-standards-committee-advisory-meeting-notice-of-meeting Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/19/2012-1013/hit-standards-committee-advisory-meeting-notice-of-meeting This final rule from the Social Security Administration adopts, without change, the interim final rule with request for comments published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2010. The interim final rule incorporated changes to the Medicare prescription drug coverage low-income subsidy (Extra Help) program made by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act enacted in March 2010. http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/18/2012-827/amendments-to-regulations-regarding-eligibility-for-a-medicare-prescription-drug-subsidy Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:24:40 CST http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/18/2012-827/amendments-to-regulations-regarding-eligibility-for-a-medicare-prescription-drug-subsidy The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is announcing the launch of the Healthy New Year Challenge, an open call for people nationwide to create and submit short videos that capture New Year's resolutions geared towards improving their health or the health of a loved one through the use of technology. Cash prizes will be awarded. http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/18/2012-862/announcement-of-the-requirements-and-registration-for-the-healthy-new-year-challenge Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/18/2012-862/announcement-of-the-requirements-and-registration-for-the-healthy-new-year-challenge This proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses the hospital-specific limitation on Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments under the Social Security Act. http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/18/2012-734/medicaid-program-disproportionate-share-hospital-payments-uninsured-definition Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/18/2012-734/medicaid-program-disproportionate-share-hospital-payments-uninsured-definition This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implements and finalizes provisions regarding the reporting of gross covered retiree plan-related prescription drug costs (gross retiree costs) and retained rebates by Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) sponsors; and the scope of waiver authority under the Social Security Act (the Act). http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/12/2012-473/medicare-program-medicare-advantage-and-prescription-drug-benefit-programs-negotiated-pricing-and Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:55:33 CST http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/12/2012-473/medicare-program-medicare-advantage-and-prescription-drug-benefit-programs-negotiated-pricing-and The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services will hold a public meeting February 15-17, 2012, in Washington, D.C. to hear panel presentations on Affordable Care Act related provisions. http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/10/2012-225/national-advisory-committee-on-rural-health-and-human-services-notice-of-meeting Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:50:45 CST http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/10/2012-225/national-advisory-committee-on-rural-health-and-human-services-notice-of-meeting This interim final rule with comment period from the Department of Health and Human Services implements parts of section 1104 of the Affordable Care Act which requires the adoption of a standard for electronic funds transfers (EFT). It defines EFT and explains how the adopted standards support and facilitate health care EFT transmissions. http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/10/2012-132/administrative-simplification-adoption-of-standards-for-health-care-electronic-funds-transfers-efts Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:40:44 CST http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/10/2012-132/administrative-simplification-adoption-of-standards-for-health-care-electronic-funds-transfers-efts This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless. http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/06/2011-33740/federal-property-suitable-as-facilities-to-assist-the-homeless Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:19:28 CST http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/06/2011-33740/federal-property-suitable-as-facilities-to-assist-the-homeless Grants are available from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services for Field-Initiated projects for research to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology for individuals with disabilities. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/05/2011-33807/applications-for-new-awards-disability-and-rehabilitation-research-projects-and-centers Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/05/2011-33807/applications-for-new-awards-disability-and-rehabilitation-research-projects-and-centers