Federal Register Notices Relevant to Rural Health
Selected Federal Register notices of interest to the rural health community from the past 90 days.
Dec 13, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a new data collection will help CDC to better understand the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), positive childhood experiences (PCEs), social determinants of health (SDOH), and health outcomes among young adults from populations that have been socially and economically marginalized. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 13, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the implementation of the 5G Fund for Rural America (5G Fund) to support the build out of advanced, 5G mobile wireless broadband networks for those who live, work, and travel in rural areas. Discusses the identification of areas that will be eligible for 5G Fund support, the 5G Fund budget, the acceptance of bids and identification of winning bids, compliance with 5G Fund public interest obligations and performance requirements, the promotion of digital equity and inclusion, and more. This rule is effective January 13, 2025. The compliance date for §§ 54.322(b), 54.322(g), 54.322(h), 54.322(i), 54.322(j), 54.1014(a), 54.1014(b)(2), 54.1018(a), 54.1018(b), 54.1018(c), 54.1018(d), 54.1019(a)(1), 54.1019(a)(2), 54.1019(a)(3), 54.1019(b), 54.1022(b), and 54.1022(f) will be announced in a future document published in the Federal Register.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 13, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopting updated versions of the retail pharmacy standards for electronic transactions adopted under the Administrative Simplification subtitle of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). These updated versions are modifications to the currently adopted standards for the following retail pharmacy transactions: healthcare claims or equivalent encounter information; eligibility for a health plan; referral certification and authorization; and coordination of benefits. This final rule also adopts a modification to the standard for the Medicaid pharmacy subrogation transaction. This rule is effective February 11, 2025. Compliance with this rule is required by February 11, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 13, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health on January 16, 2025, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern. The meeting will discuss finalizing recommendations on the implementation of the updated Office of Management and Budget (OMB) federal race and ethnicity data collection standards, with a focus on opportunities for engagement with racial, ethnic, and tribal community-level organizations to support increased awareness of the race and ethnicity data collection standards and their intended goals within their communities. Registration is required by January 14, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 12, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Healthcare for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Ambulatory Surgical Centers that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is applicable from November 20, 2024, through November 20, 2029.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 12, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking comments on proposed recordkeeping regulations for emergency medical services (EMS) agencies that handle controlled substances. The Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017 amended the Controlled Substances Act to allow for a new registration category for emergency medical services agencies that handle controlled substances. Among other things, the proposed regulations would require an EMS agency to maintain records for each controlled substance administered or disposed of while providing emergency medical services. Comments are due by January 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 12, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revising and restating the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority for the HHS Office of the General Counsel (OGC).
Source: Federal Register
Dec 11, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Payment Collections Operations Contingency Plan; and 2) Requirements Related to Surprise Billing: Qualifying Payment Amount, Notice and Consent, Disclosure on Patient Protections Against Balance Billing, and State Law Opt-in. Comments are due by February 10, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 11, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of DNV Healthcare USA, Inc. (DNV) as a national accrediting organization for Critical Access Hospitals that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is applicable from December 23, 2024, through December 23, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 11, 2024 - Notice of amendment from the Department of Health and Human Services extending the determination of a public health emergency and states that COVID-19 presents a credible risk of a future public health emergency. Among other things, this amendment extends liability immunity for licensed pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and qualified pharmacy technicians to prescribe, dispense, and administer COVID-19 vaccines, seasonal influenza vaccines, and COVID-19 tests through December 31, 2029. This amendment is effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 11, 2024 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) proposing to expand the geographic boundaries of the Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area (PRCDA) for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska to include Jackson County, Kansas, and Holt County, Missouri. Comments are due by January 10, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 11, 2024 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) proposing to expand the geographic boundaries of the Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area (PRCDA) for the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska to include the counties of Doniphan and Jackson in Kansas and Holt County, Missouri. Comments are due by January 10, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 11, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) that seeks to advance interoperability, improve transparency, and support the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. This final rule amends the information blocking regulations by including definitions related to the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common agreement (TEFCA) Manner Exception and corrects and updates current regulatory provisions of the ONC Health IT Certification Program. The rule also implements certain provisions related to TEFCA, which would support the reliability, privacy, security, and trust within TEFCA. This rule is effective 30 days after publication of this notice, which is scheduled for December 16, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 10, 2024 - Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicaid, Medicare cost plan, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) regulations to implement changes related to Star Ratings, marketing and communications, agent/broker compensation, health equity, drug coverage, dual eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs), utilization management, network adequacy, and other programmatic areas, including the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This proposed rule also includes proposals to codify existing subregulatory guidance in the Part C and Part D programs. Comments are due by January 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking scientific information submissions to inform its review on Medical Care for Adults with Down Syndrome. Includes background information and key questions related to the review. The full research protocol is available for review on the AHRQ website. Submissions are due by January 8, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - The Census Bureau is seeking comments on revisions to the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS). HTOPS, a progression from the Household Pulse Survey, is designed to ensure the availability of frequent data collection for nationwide estimates on a variety of topics for a variety of subgroups of the population. The January 2025 topical survey will include a household roster update and a section of assistance program income questions that will be used to test several possible changes, and the February 2025 topical survey will include content from the Household Pulse Survey. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Community Mental Health Center Cost Report; 2) Federally Qualified Health Center Cost Report Form; and 3) Medicare Request for Employment Information. Comments are due by January 8, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing: 1) changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) policies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; 3) updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model; 4) payment for dental services inextricably linked to specific covered medical services; 5) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B including immunosuppressive drugs and clotting factors; 6) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 7) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 8) Medicare coverage of opioid use disorder services furnished by opioid treatment programs; 9) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 10) electronic prescribing for controlled substances for a covered Part D drug under a prescription drug plan or an MA-PD plan; 11) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 12) updates to Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule regulations; 13) updates to the diabetes payment structure and COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) flexibilities; 14) expansion of colorectal cancer screening and Hepatitis B vaccine coverage and payment; 15) establishing payment for drugs covered as additional preventive services; and 16) Medicare Parts A and B Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act and Medicare Parts C and D Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act. These regulations are effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health on January 7, 2025, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern. The meeting will discuss finalizing recommendations on the implementation of the updated Office of Management and Budget (OMB) federal race and ethnicity data collection standards, with a focus on opportunities for engagement with racial, ethnic, and tribal community-level organizations to support increased awareness of the race and ethnicity data collection standards and their intended goals within their communities. Registration is required by January 3, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) seeks comments on the Draft Health Center Program Scope of Project Manual. The draft Scope of Project Policy Manual provides updated policy guidance on what constitutes the health center program scope of project under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. Comments are due February 7, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) making technical and typographical corrections to the September 30, 2024, final rule. This rule is effective December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 6, 2024 - Notice from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) seeking comments on the risk component of the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) cooperative agreement funding formula to inform potential future changes. HPP is a cooperative agreement program that prepares the nation's healthcare delivery system to save lives during emergencies that exceed the day-to-day capacity of healthcare and emergency response systems. Comments are due by December 20, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 6, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Programs regarding strategies that HRSA should consider or prioritize to meet the needs of individuals with sickle cell disease and their families within the United States. Includes questions to which HRSA is seeking responses. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 6, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) updating the audit and financial statement language in the Multi-Family Housing (MFH) and Community Facility (CF) regulations to align with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2024 revisions. This rule is effective December 6, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 6, 2024 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on a new SAMHSA Unified Performance Reporting Tool (SUPRT). SUPRT will combine and align the existing client-level performance instrument for the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and National Outcomes Measures (NOMs) instrument for the SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services, and create a two-component tool that will allow for a self-administered questionnaire and a grantee completion of administrative data. SAMHSA will use the data collected through SUPRT for annual reporting, grantee monitoring, and continuous improvement of its discretionary grant programs. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 4, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announcing the creation of two new offices, the Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE) and the Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO), within the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE).
Source: Federal Register
Dec 4, 2024 - Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) describing a new mandatory Medicare payment model, the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA Model). The IOTA Model would test whether performance-based upside risk payments or downside risk payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) while preserving or enhancing the quality of care and reducing Medicare expenditures. This proposed rule also describes standard provisions for the Radiation Oncology Model, the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Treatment Choices Model, and mandatory Innovation Center models, including the IOTA Model, whose first performance period begins on or after January 1, 2025. Includes comments regarding rural-specific concerns. This rule is effective January 3, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 4, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopting a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) that seeks comment on the implementation of the Alaska Connect Fund (ACF) for mobile service from the period January 1, 2030, through December 31, 2034, for areas where more than one mobile provider had been receiving support for overlapping service areas, or duplicate-support areas (ACF Mobile Phase II). Among other things, the FCC seeks comments on the methodology to determine support amounts in duplicate-support areas and the competitive or alternative mechanism to distribute support, how to distribute support in unserved areas, and Tribal consent requirements for the ACF. Comments are due by February 3, 2025, and reply comments are due by March 4, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 4, 2024 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on revisions to the information collection titled "Connect America Fund—High Cost Portal Filing." This information collection includes location reporting and related certification requirements for high-cost support recipients. Comments are due by January 3, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 3, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking comments on Round 6 of the "National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Rapid Surveys System (RSS)." The RSS is a survey system being designed to complement the current household survey systems at NCHS and will use survey data from probability-based online panels to produce time-sensitive estimates of new and emerging public health topics, attitudes, and behaviors. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 3, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed revision to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for 2025-2027. BRFSS is a nationwide system of cross-sectional surveys that produces state-level information primarily on health risk behaviors, health conditions, and preventive health practices that are associated with chronic diseases, infectious diseases, and injury. Proposed revisions include the addition of questions on the following topics to questionnaires: heart attack and stroke, disaster/pandemic preparedness, veterans' health, and the use of newly available tobacco products. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 3, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeking comments on the draft Recommendations for HIV Screening in Clinical Settings. This draft would update portions of the CDC's 2006 "Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings," including modifying the ages for HIV screening, encouraging providers to use clinical decision support tools, providing considerations for healthcare populations on which to conduct HIV screening, and more. Comments are due by January 2, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 3, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking comments on a request for information related to the updated Transportation Community Explorer (TC Explorer) Tool and Index methodology. The TC Explorer is a data-driven tool that allows communities to better identify transportation investments that can benefit communities. DOT intends to make updates to its Equitable Transportation Community Explorer (ETC Explorer v1.1) to improve the usefulness and accuracy of the tool, particularly for rural and tribal communities, and rename the tool as the Transportation Community (TC) Explorer. Comments are due by December 16, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 3, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) proposing updates the methodology for calculating the cost adjustment in the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) for Hawaii. The proposed change to determine the cost adjustment would incorporate food prices from throughout the State of Hawaii rather than from Honolulu alone, ensuring that SNAP benefit allotments better reflect food prices faced by participants throughout the State of Hawaii. Comments are due by February 3, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 3, 2024 - Notice from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announcing a public meeting of the FirstNet Authority Board and Board Committees on December 11, 2024, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Mountain. An agenda will be published on the FirstNet Authority website. Public attendance will be available online only.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 2, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announcing the application fee for providers initially enrolling in the Medicare or Medicaid programs, or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); revalidating their Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP enrollment; or adding a new Medicare practice location. The new fee is $730 and is required for applications submitted January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 2, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) that would codify changes made by the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 (MSIAA), which added exclusion authorities related to misclassification and false information about outpatient drugs. This proposed rule would also update and clarify OIG's procedures for excluding individuals and entities from participation in the federal healthcare programs, including the factors that will be considered in determining the length of exclusions, the provisions governing notices of exclusions, and certain provisions related to reinstatement into the programs. Comments are due by January 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 2, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health on December 16, 2024, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern. The meeting will discuss finalizing recommendations on the implementation of the updated Office of Management and Budget (OMB) federal race and ethnicity data collection standards, with a focus on opportunities for engagement with racial, ethnic, and tribal community-level organizations to support increased awareness of the race and ethnicity data collection standards and their intended goals within their communities. Registration is required by December 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 2, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will hold a public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM) on January 7-8, 2025. Agenda items are being finalized but may include committee discussions of draft recommendations on achieving optimal maternal health and overall birth outcomes for underserved populations, including Black/African-American families, and a vote on whether to send the draft recommendations forward. The webinar link and log-in information will be available at the ACIMM website before the meeting. Requests for public comment should be sent via email to SACIM@hrsa.gov.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 2, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces the recharter of the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP). The charter is effective November 30, 2024, until November 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 2, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) implementing the Section 504 Direct Single Family Housing Loans and Grants pilot program. USDA intends to evaluate existing regulations and remove regulatory barriers to assist eligible applicants with improved ease of use for very low-income homeowners seeking to repair or rehabilitate their homes. The pilot program is expected to continue until December 2, 2026. The regulatory waiver is effective December 2, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 2, 2024 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on a new information collection related to the SAMHSA 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Services Program Evaluation. SAMHSA will use the information collected to conduct an evaluation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Services, to ensure individuals in suicidal, mental health and/or substance use crisis can contact 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and are connected to crisis centers providing evidence-based care and are able to receive critical resource referral and linkage. Comments are due by January 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Program: Procedures for Making National Coverage Decisions and 2) Transcatheter Valve Therapy (TVT) Registry. Comments are due December 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - Proclamation from the Executive Office of the President declaring November 21, 2024 National Rural Health Day. Summarizes investments and resources committed to rural health by the Biden Administration.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Environmental Protection Agency that implements revisions to the Guideline on Air Quality Models to include enhancements to the formulation and application of the near-field dispersion modeling system, AERMOD, and updates recommendations for developing appropriate background concentration for cumulative impact analyses. Discusses appropriate classification for rural and urban areas.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - Notice from the Department of Health and Human Services releasing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) rates for the period of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The rates are used to determine the amount of Federal matching for state Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) Contingency Funds, and Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (eFMAP) rates for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expenditures, among other federal assistance programs.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the availability of non-binding compliance program guidance for the healthcare industry generally and specific guidance for skilled nursing facilities and other nursing facilities.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a public meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) on January 28 and 29, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The PACCARB advises and provides information and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS regarding programs and policies intended to reduce or combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria that may present a public health threat. The confirmed times and agenda will be published on the PACCARB website. The main focus of the meeting is to solicit feedback from invited presenters and members of the public on the 2025-2020 National Action Plan on Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria. Pre-registration is required for members of the public who wish to present comments during the meeting.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the availability of a Policy Information Notice (PIN) offering guidance for health centers and look-alikes under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act giving certain primary healthcare services to justice-involved individuals reentering the community setting. The PIN is effective November 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - Notice from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) extending the comment period on the August 30, 2024, proposed rule until January 14, 2025. The rule establishes a heat standard for all indoor and outdoor work in workplaces where OSHA has jurisdiction. A virtual hearing is scheduled for June 16, 2025 to discuss the proposed rule.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking nominations to the Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee. The committee advises the Secretary through the Under Secretary for Health on ways to improve and enhance access to VA health care services for Veterans residing in rural areas by reviewing current program activities and identifying barriers to accessing care and services. Nominations must be received by January 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Medicaid Program: Medicare Savings Program Application and Eligibility Determinations" which will help enroll participants in the Medicare Savings Programs. Comments are due by December 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - Notice of final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ACS) payment system for calendar year 2025. This rule also updates the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program, Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program, and Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program and finalizes updates to the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for obstetrical services. Among other things, this rule summarizes comments received in response to an information request on potential modifications to the Safety of Care measure group in the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating methodology. This rule also finalizes exceptions to the Medicaid clinic services benefit four walls requirement for Indian Health Service and Tribal clinics, and, at state option, for behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas. The provisions of this rule are effective January 1, 2025. Comments are due by December 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - The Department of State (DOS) is seeking information on the degree to which the United States and foreign governments meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons as prescribed by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Submitted information will assist with preparing the annual Trafficking in Persons report. DOS requests information related to a basic overview of the issue, prosecution, protection, prevention, territories and semi-autonomous regions, child soldiering, and trafficking profiles including for vulnerable populations such as rural residents. Submissions are due February 3, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "SF-270 Request for Advance or Reimbursement," which is used by grant awardees to request advanced or reimbursed funds for project expenses. Comments are due by January 27, 2025.
Source: fed
Nov 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "SF-429-C Real Property Status Report ATTACHMENT C (Disposition or Encumbrance Request), SF-429-B Real Property Status Report ATTACHMENT B (Request to Acquire, Improve or Furnish), SF-429-A Real Property Status Report ATTACHMENT A (General Reporting), INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SF-429 Real Property Status Report, and SF-429 Real Property Status Report (Cover Page)," which is used by grant applicants to provide property details as part of grant proposals. Comments are due by January 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Federal Financial Report (SF-425) and Federal Financial Report Attachment (SF-425A)," which is used by grant applicants to apply for federal financial assistance Comments are due by January 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) and Certification Regarding Lobbying," which is used by grant applicants applying for federal financial assistance. Comments are due by January 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Meetings, Conferences, and Seminars—Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities—Funding and Sponsorship," which is used by contractors to provide a plan outlining the ability to meet accessibility standards and provide funding disclosure and content disclaimer statements on conference materials. Comments are due by January 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - The Office of Inspector General (OIG) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requests proposals and recommendations for developing new or modifying existing safe harbor provisions of the Federal anti-kickback statute or Special Fraud Alerts. Criteria for modifying and establishing safe harbor provisions or Special Fraud Alerts include the extent to which the proposal impacts access to healthcare, the ability of healthcare facilities to serve medically underserved patients, and more. Comments are due January 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 26, 2024 - The U.S. Census Bureau is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on an information collection titled "Generic Clearance for Census Bureau Field Tests and Evaluations." The proposed information collection will allow for researching and evaluating data collection for the 2030 Census to improve efficiency, data quality, and response rates as well as reduce respondent burden. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 26, 2024 - The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is seeking comments on a requirement regarding the workflow for credentialing healthcare practitioners working independently, in hospitals, or in clinics to prescribe controlled substances electronically. Comments are due January 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 26, 2024 - The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking comments on burden estimates for an information collection titled "Assurances for Construction Programs (SF-424D)," which is used by grant applicants to provide specific assurances as part of their grant proposals. Comments are due by January 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 26, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF-424C)," which is used by grant applicants to provide budget details as part of their grant proposals. Comments are due by January 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 26, 2024 - The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking comments and burden estimates on an information collection titled "Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF424B)," which is used by grant applicants to certify specified required assurances as part of their grant proposals. Comments are due by January 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 26, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announcing the publication of the Common Agreement for Nationwide Health Information Interoperability, Version 2.1.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 25, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Minimum Data Set 3.0 Nursing Home and Swing Bed Prospective Payment System (PPS) for the collection of data related to the Patient-Driven Payment Model and the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (QRP)." Revisions include four new items as standardized patient assessment data elements, one modified item collected as a standardized patient assessment data element, and twenty-two removed items that are not needed for case-mix adjusting the SNF per diem payment for PDPM. Comments are due by January 24, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 25, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcing the approval of an information collection related to the April 10, 2024, final rule that adopted a Report and Order amending existing rules and requirements governing the management and administration of the Universal Service Fund (USF) high-cost program. Amendments to sections 36.4 (amendatory instruction 2), 54.314 (amendatory instruction 11), and the removal and reservation of 54.1306 (amendatory instruction 22) are effective November 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 25, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "SF-271 Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs," which is used by grant awardees to report on their construction grant award. Comments are due by January 24, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 25, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)," which is used by grant applicants to provide budget details as part of their grant proposals. Comments are due by January 24, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 22, 2024 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) making corrections to a date listed in the November 12, 2024, final rule.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 22, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on updates to the Uniform Data System (UDS) for performance year 2025. Updates include changes to patient-level reporting and tables on selected diagnoses and services rendered, quality of care measures, and health outcomes and disparities. Comments are due by January 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 22, 2024 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) announcing the decision to expand the geographic boundaries of the Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area (PRCDA) for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana (Pokagon Band) to include the counties of Kalamazoo, Kent, and Ottawa in Michigan. The expanded boundaries will include the current PRCDA for the Pokagon Band, which includes Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Ottawa, and Van Buren counties in Michigan, and Elkhart, Kosciusko, La Porte, Marshall, St. Joseph, and Starke counties in Indiana. This expansion is effective November 22, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 22, 2024 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a hybrid public meeting of the Advisory Committee on U.S. Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States on December 10-12, 2024. The agenda will include, among other things, a briefing on the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) efforts to assist covered Veterans, family members, caregivers, and survivors; a briefing on the Veterans Health Administration initiatives and updates; the role of the VBA regional offices; prescription drug information; travel funding; and telehealth.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 21, 2024 - The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will hold a meeting of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council on December 11, 2024 from 1:00 pm Eastern. This meeting will be partially closed to the public, with the closure time of the meeting yet to be determined. Members of the public who register to participate virtually will be informed what portion of the meeting will be closed. Agenda items for the open portion of the meeting includes Disaster Response and Resiliency Report, the Promoting Infrastructural Health Report, and the Expanding Workforce Report.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 21, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) adopting proposed modifications to the definition of rural areas to integrate the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) 2023 Road Ruggedness Scale (RRS). The updated definition of rural will include geographic areas that are either nonmetropolitan counties, outlying metropolitan counties with no population from an urban area of 50,000 or more people, census tracts with rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes 4-10 in metropolitan counties, census tracts of at least 400 square miles in an area with a population density of 35 or less per square mile with RUCA codes 2-3 in metropolitan counties, or census tracts with RRS 5 and RUCA codes 2-3 that are at least 20 square miles in metropolitan counties. Lists the number of tracts newly defined as rural in 10 states. Changes go into effect November 21, 2024 and apply to FORHP's Notice of Funding Opportunity for fiscal year 2025 and future years.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 21, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural
Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) amending the amount of loan funding available for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. The maximum amount per award available for Second, Third, and Fourth Quarter application periods has been reduced from $2 million to $1 million.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding:
Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDL and REDG)
Nov 21, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Treasury Department of funding allocations made through the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program for calendar years 2024-25. This program allows community development entities (CDEs) to offer a tax credit incentive to investors to stimulate private investment capital for economic and community development in low-income communities. Provides details about changes to the previous allocation round, as well program eligibility details. Applicants are required to complete the Application Registration section of the NMTC Allocation Application by December 5, 2024 in order to be able to submit the remaining application sections by January 29, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding:
New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program
Nov 20, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposing to require covered text providers, including wireless providers, to support georouting to ensure that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline may route covered 988 text messages to appropriate local crisis centers. The FCC proposes to require covered text providers to send georouting data to the 988 Lifeline to the same extent that they are required to send covered 988 text messages to the Lifeline. Comments are due by December 20, 2024, and reply comments are due by January 9, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 20, 2024 - The Food and Drug Administration has revoked Emergency Use Authorizations issued to Cue Health, Inc., related to COVID-19 detection and diagnosis tests. The revocations are effective October 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 20, 2024 - The National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) will hold a virtual public meeting on December 3-4, 2024. Agenda items include updates from the Department and the ICD-11 Workgroup, discussion of Privacy and Security in Health Data Access from the Subcommittee on Privacy, Confidentiality, and Security, and a report from the Subcommittee on Standards. Registration for the meeting is available on the NCVHS website.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announcing the establishment of National Advisory Committee on the Trafficking of Children and Youth in the United States to advise on practical and general policies concerning improvements in the national response to the human trafficking of children and youth in the United States. The Committee's charter was filed on November 7, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2024 - Notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issuing a temporary rule to extend certain exceptions to existing DEA regulations implemented in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (COVID-19 PHE). The full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescription of controlled medications that were in place during the COVID-19 PHE as outlined in the Second Temporary Rule will remain in place through December 31, 2025. This rule is effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 18, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeking comments on a proposed information collection project titled National Concussion Surveillance System. The National Concussion Surveillance System will allow CDC to calculate the prevalence and incidence of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) for both adults and children, and the circumstances related to TBIs occurring in the preceding year. The information collected will likely be used by state and local governments, researchers, voluntary health organizations, physicians, health educators, healthcare systems, and others to guide program investments; provide up-to-date information on symptom presentation, healthcare utilization patterns, and patient recovery; and to provide information on prevention of TBI. Comments are due by January 17, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 18, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women (ACBCYW). Nominees will be selected based on expertise in the fields of breast health, breast cancer, disease prevention and risk reduction, survivorship (including metastatic breast cancer), hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, or in related disciplines with a specific focus on young women, or with personal experience with early onset breast cancer. Nominations are due by December 16, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 18, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau seeking feedback on the proposed race/ethnicity code list that will be used when the combined race/ethnicity question is implemented in the American Community Survey (ACS) and the 2030 Census. This feedback will enable the Census Bureau to more accurately collect, process, and tabulate detailed racial, ethnic, and tribal responses reported in the race/ethnicity question. Comments are due by February 18, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 18, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families amending the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations to allow all Indian tribes and tribal organizations operating CCDF program to establish eligibility criteria regardless of family income. This rule is effective November 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 18, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on a generic information collection umbrella titled "Generic Information Collection Request for Collections Related to HRSA Hotlines, Chatlines, and Online Portals, OMB No. 0906-New." Information collected will be used to ensure that HRSA hotlines, chatlines, and online portals are operating to the best of their abilities. Comments are due by January 17, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 18, 2024 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on a revision of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) client-level Government Performance and Results Act (GRPA) instrument to continue collecting data on the performance and program monitoring of its substance use services grant programs. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 18, 2024 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Interdepartmental Substance Use Disorders Coordinating Committee (ISUDCC) on December 11, 2024, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern. The ISUDCC agenda will focus on the ISUDCC's recommendations to HHS on how the Federal Government can further integrate and coordinate harm reduction approaches and strategies across the continuum of prevention, treatment, and recovery policies, programs, and practices. Agenda items will also include presentations on the recent Harm Reduction Summit, the recovery and harm reduction workgroup, and an update on the Naloxone Saturation Policy Academy. Information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the SAMHSA website.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 15, 2024 - The Census Bureau will hold a virtual public meeting of the 2030 Census Advisory Committee on December 5, 2024, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern. The committee will review and provide feedback related to 2030 Census plans and execution to assist the Census Bureau in devising strategies to increase census awareness and participation, reduce barriers to response, and enhance the public's trust and willingness to respond. Meeting information, including the agenda and how to join the meeting, will be posted on the Census Advisory Committee website.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 15, 2024 - Notice from the Rural Housing Service (RHS) correcting the effective date in the October 25, 2024, final rule, which amended the current regulation for the Off-Farm Labor Housing (Off-FLH) program to clarify the grant agreement term and adopt the period of performance as required by Federal award information requirements. The enforcement date is now November 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 14, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the inpatient hospital deductible and coinsurance amounts for hospital and extended care services provided during calendar year 2025 under Medicare's Hospital Insurance Program (Medicare Part A). These rates are effective on January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 14, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the monthly actuarial rates for beneficiaries enrolled in Part B of the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program beginning January 1, 2025. It also announces the monthly premium, the deductible for 2025, and income-related monthly adjustment amounts for beneficiaries with modified adjusted gross income above certain threshold amounts. These rates are effective on January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 14, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing Medicare's Hospital Insurance (Part A) premium for uninsured enrollees in calendar year (CY) 2025. The premium is paid by enrollees aged 65 and over who are not otherwise eligible for Part A benefits and by certain disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement. This premium is effective on January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 13, 2024 - Notice from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Medical Expenditures Panel Survey—Insurance Component." The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey—Insurance Component (MEPS-IC) measures the extent, cost, and coverage of employer-sponsored health insurance on an annual basis. Comments are due by January 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 13, 2024 - The National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters (NACCD) will hold a virtual public meeting on December 4, 2024. NACCD will discuss potential recommendations to the HHS Secretary and ASPR regarding challenges, opportunities, and priorities for national public health and medical preparedness, response, and recovery specific to the needs of children and their families in disasters. A detailed agenda and registration information will be published on the NACCD meeting website.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 13, 2024 - The National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters (NACIDD) will hold a virtual public meeting on December 10, 2024, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern. NACIDD seeks input from the public on 1) data and monitoring resources to identify the needs of at-risk individuals in an emergency and 2) Emergency Support Functions of the National Response Framework to identify gaps in equitable incident management and disaster response for people with disabilities. Requests to speak to the NACIDD during the public meeting must be sent to the Designated Federal Official by December 5, 2024. A detailed agenda and registration information will be published on the NACIDD website.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 13, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is seeking applications for individuals for membership on the following national advisory committees: National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters (NACIDD), the National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters (NACSD), and the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB). Applications are due by January 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 13, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposing amending its regulations implement a new authority to establish a telehealth grant program. This new authority requires VA to enter into agreements, and expand existing agreements, for the expansion of VA telehealth capabilities and provision of telehealth services by establishing telehealth access stations in rural, highly rural, or medically underserved areas, to the extent practicable. This notice also proposes to amend the copayment regulation by exempting all telehealth services from the copayment requirement. Comments are due by January 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 12, 2024 - The Census Bureau will hold two virtual tribal consultations on December 11, 2024, and January 15, 2025. The two webinars will offer a forum for tribes to learn about its Race/Ethnicity Coding Improvement Project, which allows tribes to provide feedback on how detailed race and/or ethnicity and American Indian or Alaska Native populations will be coded in the American Community Survey (ACS) and the 2030 Census, and to provide feedback. Questions and topic suggestions for the consultation meetings must be submitted by December 2, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 12, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating and revising the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2025 and updates the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). This rule also updates the requirements for the Conditions for Coverage for ESRD facilities, the ESRD Quality Incentive Program, and the ESRD Treatment Choices Model. These regulations are effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 12, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for hospices that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is applicable from November 20, 2024, through November 20, 2029.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 12, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, dba QUAD A, for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Ambulatory Surgical Centers that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is applicable from November 27, 2024, through November 27, 2029.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 12, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcing the adoption of a Third Report and Order that requires wireless providers to implement a georouting solution for calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to facilitate access to critical local intervention services. The Third Report and Order also revises the Commission's existing 988 voice and texting rules to permit routing to the 988 Lifeline without translation to a toll-free access number, giving wireless providers flexibility in implementing georouting solutions. This rule is effective December 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 12, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Project Abstract Summary." Organizations use the Project Abstract Summary form to apply for federal grants. Federal agencies may use the Project Abstract Summary form for grant programs that are not required to collect all the data required on the Standard Form 424 core data set and form. Comments are due by January 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Reform of Long-Term Care Facilities Requirements for Respiratory Illness Reporting; 2) Applications for Part C Medicare Advantage, 1876 Cost Plans, and Employer Group Waiver Plans to Provide Part C Benefits; and 3) the PACE Organization Application Process in 42 CFR part 460. Comments are due by December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the establishment of the CMS Health Equity Advisory Committee (HEAC) to advise and make recommendations to CMS on the identification and resolution of systemic barriers to accessing CMS programs that hinder the quality of care for beneficiaries and consumers. The Committee will focus on health disparities in underserved communities, which are populations sharing a particular characteristic or geography, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. CMS is also requesting nominations for membership on the HEAC. Nominations are due by December 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 7, 2024 - Quarterly listing of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and Federal Register notices published from July through September 2024, including contact information for general questions or additional information about specific sections.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 7, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the home health payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2025. This rule also finalizes changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) requirements and provides an update on potential approaches for integrating health equity in the Expanded Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model. Among other things, this rule also finalizes a new standard for acceptance to service policy in the home health conditions of participation (CoPs) and provides updates to provider and supplier enrollment requirements and changes to the long-term care reporting requirements for acute respiratory illnesses, among other things. These regulations are effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 6, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Assumption of Responsibilities and Supporting Regulations; and 2) CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary CY 2026. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 6, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "HHS 42 CFR subpart B; Sterilization of Persons in Federally Assisted Family Planning Projects." This consent form solicits information to assure voluntary and informed consent to persons undergoing sterilization in health services programs supported by federal financial assistance administered by the United States Public Health Service (PHS). Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 6, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a public meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) on December 11-12, 2024. The meeting will include panels the history of the civil rights movement in the South and how it impacts HIV disparities today; the intersection of HIV, stigma, and social determinants of health; the epidemiology of HIV in Alabama; and local solutions for advancing health justice and addressing HIV disparities. The full agenda will be posted on the PACHA website prior to the meeting. To provide public comment, pre-registration is required by December 4, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 5, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau seeking comments on the extension of forms related to the American Community Survey (ACS) and Puerto Rico Community Survey. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 5, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announcing the availability of the complete lists of all geographic areas, population groups, and facilities designated as primary care, mental health, and/or dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). HPSA designations that are currently proposed for withdrawal will remain in this status until a second notice is published in the Federal Register. Lists are available on the Health Workforce Shortage Areas website and are current as of October 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 5, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) proposing amending the current regulation for the Multifamily Housing (MFH) Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP) to codify language within the GRRHP regulation to clarify that a separate deed restriction must be recorded. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 4, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection project titled "National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)." NHSN is used to track healthcare-associated infections and the extent to which healthcare facilities adhere to infection prevention practices and antimicrobial stewardship. The proposed changes in this information collection request include revisions to 74 existing data collection forms and 10 new forms. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 4, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to revise the weight of Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) performance indicators. Proposed changes will emphasize the importance of occupancy, financial condition, and physical assessments, with scoring indicators being based on measurable program outcomes and data already available to HUD. These proposed revisions will allow HUD to respond more quickly to performance deficiencies and intervene based on trending performance data. Includes considerations for small rural public housing agencies. Comments on the proposed rule are due January 3, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 1, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) seeking comments to inform how federal agencies can support broader state and local efforts to improve the outcomes of children in the child welfare system who are eligible for federal benefits. Information collected will be used to inform decisions about possible future policy changes or additional guidance. Comments are due by December 2, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announcing a virtual meeting to discuss the implementation of an Executive Order to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare Safety Program on November 15, 2024. Agenda topics will include recent AI-related analyses from the Network of Patient Safety Databases (NPSD), available program resources, and speakers from the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Coalition for Health AI. Active participation and discussion by meeting participants is encouraged. Interested persons send an email to SDMeetings@infinityconferences.com for registration information.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extending the comment period on the draft Hazard Review: Wildland Fire Smoke Exposure Among Farmworkers and Other Outdoor Workers. The purpose of the Hazard Review document is to provide an overview of the relevant health effects literature and present evidence-based recommendations to protect outdoor workers, including farm workers, construction workers, oil and gas workers, park rangers, emergency responders, and others, from the adverse health effects of occupational exposure to wildland fire smoke. Comments are now due by January 10, 2025. An informational webinar about the draft Hazard Review document will be held on December 3, 2024, at 1:00p.m. Eastern. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) making access and parity improvements in USDA's food distribution programs to support access for eligible populations and streamline requirements for program operators. Among other things, changes are aimed at increasing access to food distribution programs so eligible individuals can more easily receive the nutrition resources they need, increasing parity between FDPIR and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), modernizing program operations by updating some outdated terminology and processes, and incorporating lessons learned from implementing these critical programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This rule is effective December 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) making corrections to the August 21, 2024, final rule. These corrections are effective October 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Jurisdictional Survey Instrument for the Title V MCH Block Grant Program, OMB No. 0906-0042—Revision." The MCH Jurisdictional Survey is designed to produce data on the physical and emotional health of mothers and children under 18 years of age in the following eight jurisdictions—American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, Puerto Rico, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Proposed revisions include further updates to survey questions to align with new Federal data standards, including updated guidance from OMB on collecting information on race and ethnicity. Comments are due by December 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 30, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau allowing an additional 30 days for comments on Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC). Information collected by ASEC includes work experience, personal income, noncash benefits, current and previous year health insurance coverage, employer-sponsored insurance take-up, migration, and more. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 30, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Section 1115 Demonstration Projects Regulations at 42 CFR 431.408, 431.412, 431.420, 431.424, and 431.428; 2) Reporting Requirements and Corrective Action Plans Under section 1902(tt) of the Social Security Act; 3) Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance); 4) Application for Medicare Part A and Part B Special Enrollment Period (Exceptional Circumstances); and 5) Request for Enrollment in Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI). Comments are due by December 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 30, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeking comments on forms and a review and appeal process used to administer the Civilian Health And Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). Comments are due by November 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) seeking comments to inform the use or adoption of interoperability standards for human services programs. Specifically, ACF is seeking information on the most effective approaches, technical standards, and technological tools that currently or could promote interoperability between health and human services programs. Comments are due within 60 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a new information collection request titled "Medicare Transaction Facilitator for 2026 and 2027 under Sections 11001 and 11002 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Information Collection Request." CMS will collect information from manufacturers of Medicare Part D drugs selected for negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act for the initial price applicability years 2026 and 2027 and the dispensing entities that dispense the selected drugs to maximum fair price (MPF)-eligible individuals. CMS will also use a Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) to facilitate the effectuation of MPFs. Comments are due by December 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the revision of an information collection titled "Part C Medicare Advantage Reporting Requirements." Each Medicare Advantage organization must have an effective procedure to develop, compile, evaluate, and report to CMS, to its enrollees, and to the general public at the times and in the manner required by CMS. Comments are due by November 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) withdrawing the September 26, 2024, notice titled "Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request." This withdrawal is applicable on October 28, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical and typographical corrections to the April 15, 2024, final rule. These corrections are effective October 28, 2024, and applicable beginning June 4, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2024 - Notice of proposed rules from the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), proposing to amend regulations regarding coverage of certain preventive services under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which requires non-grandfathered group health plans and non-grandfathered group or individual health insurance coverage to cover certain over-the-counter and prescription contraceptive items without cost sharing. These proposed rules would not modify federal conscience protections related to contraceptive coverage for employers, plans, and issuers. Comments are due by December 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeking comments on a proposed information collection related to the implementation and effectiveness of modernization projects across all 88 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) State agencies to help identify successes, opportunities for improvement, and areas for additional support from FNS to strengthen project implementation. Comments are due by December 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the February 8, 2024, final rule. This correcting amendment is effective October 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeking comments on a new information collection request related to the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Information collection will be used to provide current, nationally representative information on FDPIR participants and local program operations across the nation. The information collection will also provide FNS with a better understanding of the reasons for the decline in FDPIR participation and how to streamline and target food and nutrition education efforts, funding, and policy changes. Comments are due by December 24, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) making technical corrections to the March 1, 2024, final rule. This notice is effective October 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Rural Housing Service (RHS) amending the current regulation for the Off-Farm Labor Housing (Off-FLH) program to clarify the grant agreement term and adopt the period of performance as required by Federal award information requirements. This rule is effective October 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announcing the approval of International Education Evaluations, LLC, as a new credentialing organization for individuals seeking to enter the United States for the primary purpose of working as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and licensed vocational nurses.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 24, 2024 - Notice from the Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Request for Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood." The information collected is used to certify that an individual's degree of Indian or Alaska Native blood under the laws authorizing BIA to administer program services to American Indians. Comments are due by November 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 23, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau seeking comments on American Community Survey (ACS) Methods Panel tests related to self-response. ACS Methods Panel is a research program at the Census Bureau designed to address and respond to survey issues and needs of the ACS. From 2025 to 2028, the ACS Methods Panel may test ACS and decennial census methods for reducing survey cost, addressing respondent burden, and improving survey response, data quality, and survey efficiencies for housing units and group quarters. Comments are due by December 23, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 23, 2024 - The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking comments on proposed revisions to the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). NSCH is designed to collect data on the physical and emotional health of children age 18 and younger, including information related to access to healthcare, family interactions, and school and after-school experiences, among other things. Comments are due by December 23, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 23, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) making corrections to dates in the September 27, 2024, notice of funds availability (NOFA) for the Multifamily Housing Preservation and Revitalization Demonstration Program (MPR) and Section 515 Loan Program. This notice is applicable on October 23, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 22, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announcing a public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry (ACTPCMD) on November 15, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Information on how to join the meetings, agenda items, and other updates will be posted on the ACTPCMD website.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 22, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking comments on a draft recommendation to update the HRSA-supported Women's Preventive Services Guidelines relating to screening and counseling for intimate partner and domestic violence, breast cancer screening for women at average risk, and patient navigation for breast and cervical cancer screening. These draft recommendations have been developed by the Women's Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI), through which clinicians, academics, and expert health professionals develop draft recommendations for HRSA's consideration. Comments are due by November 21, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 21, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection request titled "National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Coronavirus (COVID-19)." This information collection is designed to standardize the data elements collected from across the country regarding the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare facilities. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 21, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) National Provider Identifier (NPI) Application and Update Form and Supporting Regs in 45 CFR 142.408, 45 CFR 162.408, 45 CFR 162.406; and 2) Medicare Drug Coverage and Your Rights. Comments are due by November 20, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 21, 2024 - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will hold a public meeting of the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC) on November 6-7, 2024. Agenda items will include informational sessions, updates on NHTSA initiatives, subcommittee reports, and strategic planning. The agenda and instructions on how to register for the meeting will be posted on the NEMSAC section of the NHTSA Office of EMS website at least one week before the meeting. Pre-registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 18, 2024 - The Census Bureau will hold a virtual public meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations (NAC) on November 7-8, 2024. The NAC addresses policy, research, and technical issues related to Census Bureau programs and activities, including decennial, demographic and economic statistical programs, field operations, and information technology. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the NAC website.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 18, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) is accepting applications for grants under the Rural Business Development Grant Program for fiscal year 2025. Applications that will help rural communities recover economically; ensure all rural residents have equitable access to USDA Rural Development (RD) programs and benefits from RD funded projects; and reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support are encouraged. Applications are due by February 28, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 17, 2024 - The National Advisory Council (NAC) for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will hold a public meeting on November 20, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Eastern. Among other things, agenda items include an update by the AHRQ director, an update on AHRQ's Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF) Healthcare Extension Service, an update on the Subcommittee of the National Advisory Council (SNAC) on National Action Alliance to Advance Patient Safety, and a discussion about the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and System (CAHPS) and opportunities for modernizing the measurement of consumer experience. Information on how to access the meeting and other updates will be posted on the NAC website.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 17, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will hold a virtual public meeting of the Board of Scientific Counselors, Office of Readiness and Response (BSC, ORR) on November 20-21, 2024. The agenda includes an organizational update; CDC's Response Readiness Framework; a CDCReady Demonstration; healthy equity working group updates; and more. Registration to attend the meeting is required.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 17, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application for continued recognition of American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, dba QUAD A, as a national accrediting organization for outpatient physical therapy providers that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Comments are due by November 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 17, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on a generic information collection umbrella titled "Umbrella Generic Information Collection Request for Information Collections Related to HRSA Gatherings, OMB No. 0906-xxxx—New." Information collected will be used to plan, administer, and evaluate HRSA gatherings such as conferences, workshops, webinars, trainings, focus groups, and more. Comments are due by November 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 16, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing an additional 30 days for comments on an information collection request titled "CDC and ATSDR Health Message Testing System (HMTS)." HMTS enables programs across CDC and ATSDR to collect the information they require in a timely manner to ensure quality and prevent waste in the dissemination of health information by CDC to the public; refine message concepts and test draft; and guide the action of health communication officials who are responding to health emergencies, Congressionally-mandated campaigns with short timeframes, media-generated public concern, and more. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 16, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Prevention Communication Formative Research." The information collected will be used to improve communication, products, and services that support key office activities including Healthy People, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, health literacy and healthy aging, and more. Comments are due by November 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 16, 2024 - Notice from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) of funding available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for fiscal years (FY) 2025, 2026, and 2027. The two specific grant programs included in the announcement are: 1) Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants (EA/REDA) Renewable Energy Systems, and 2) Energy Efficiency Improvements and Energy Efficient Equipment and Systems Assistance (RES/EEI). Deadlines are included in this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 15, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Enrollment Application for Clinics/Group Practices and Other Suppliers; 2) Hospital Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and Supporting Regulations; and 3) Conditions of Participation for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and Supporting Regulations. Comments are due by November 14, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 15, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implementing an order from the Federal district court for the District of Connecticut in Alexander v. Azar. This rule establishes appeals processes for certain Medicare beneficiaries who are initially admitted as hospital inpatients but are subsequently reclassified as outpatients receiving observation services during their hospital stay and meet other eligibility criteria. These regulations are effective October 11, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 15, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announcing modifications to the organization of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). This reorganization establishes the Office of Strategy, Innovation, and External Affairs and the Division of Women's Health.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 11, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health on November 14-15, 2024. The meeting will discuss the implementation of the updated Office of Management and Budget (OMB) federal race and ethnicity data collection standards, with a focus on opportunities for engagement with racial, ethnic, and tribal community-level organizations to support increased awareness of the race and ethnicity data collection standards and their intended goals within their communities. Registration is required by October 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 11, 2024 - Notice from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) extend the period to waive two regulatory requirements for the Section 502 Direct and Guaranteed Manufactured Housing program while USDA completes the rulemaking to remove regulatory barriers to assist eligible applicants by improving the ease of the pilot program (pilot) use for very low to moderate-income homeowners. The duration of the pilot is anticipated to continue until May 1, 2025, or the date the Updating Manufactured Housing Provisions Final Rule is published and effective, whichever comes first. The regulatory waivers are effective November 4, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 11, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) updating the Water and Environmental Programs' (WEP) Technical Assistance Grants regulation. This rule updates the audit and financial statement language to align with the Office of Management and Budgets (OMB) 2024 revisions. This rule is effective October 11, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 10, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposing payment parameters and provisions related to the risk adjustment and risk adjustment data validation programs and user fee rates for federally-facilitated exchanges and state-based exchanges on the federal platform, among other things. Comments are due by November 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 9, 2024 - Notice from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announcing modifications to its organizational structure. These changes are effective October 3, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 9, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Bid Pricing Tool (BPT) for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP); and 2) the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey. Comments are due by December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 9, 2024 - Notice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking comments on the adoption of updated Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) delineations for use in certain of FEMA's grant programs: Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP), the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP), the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP), and the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP). Comments are due by December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 9, 2024 - Notice from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) seeking comments on the proposal to extend approval of the information collection requirements specified in the COVID-19 Recordkeeping and Reporting in Healthcare Standard. The COVID-19 Recordkeeping and Reporting in Healthcare Standard contains information collection requirements that require employers to: establish and maintain a COVID-19 log of each instance identified by the employer in which an employee is COVID-19 positive, regardless of whether the instance is connected to exposure to COVID-19 at work; report to OSHA each work-related COVID-19 fatality within 8 hours of the employer and each work-related COVID-19 in-patient hospitalization within 24 hours of the employer learning about the in-patient hospitalization; and more. Comments are due by December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 9, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) seeking comments on the revision of an information collection titled "Survey of Veteran Enrollees' Health and Use of Health Care." Information collected is used to gain insights into factors influencing health care choices, enrollees' perceived health status and need for assistance, available insurance, self-reported utilization of VA services versus other health care services, barriers to seeking care, ability and comfort level with accessing virtual care, and more. Comments are due by December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the reinstatement of an information collection titled "Medicare Program: Conditions for Payment of Power Mobility Devices, including Power Wheelchairs and Power-Operated Vehicles." This information collection is related to requirements for a face-to-face examination of the beneficiary by the physician or treating practitioner, a written prescription, and receipt of pertinent parts of the medical record by the supplier within 45 days after the face-to-face examination that the durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers maintain in their records and make available to CMS and its agents upon request. Comments are due by November 7, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 8, 2024 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a virtual public meeting on October 24, 2024, from 8:00 - 4:30 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include updates from VA leadership, the Executive Director of the VA Office of Rural Health, and the Committee Chair, as well as presentations by subject matter experts on general rural healthcare access.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 7, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) is seeking feedback on the development of four strategic plans for the United States for 2026-2030: 1) National HIV/AIDS Strategy; 2) Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan; 3) Vaccines National Strategic Plan; and 4) Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan. The strategic plans will serve as national roadmaps for a broad range of constituents to help prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure disease; improve health outcomes; reduce health disparities and inequities; and advance research and technology. Comments are due by December 6, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 7, 2024 - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is accepting applications from qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as members of the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC). NEMSAC serves as a nationally recognized council of emergency medical services (EMS) representatives and consumers to provide advice and recommendations regarding EMS to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Applications are due by November 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 4, 2024 - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking comments concerning the National Household Survey on Disaster Preparedness, which identifies progress and gaps in individual and community preparedness and to better understand the motivational factors and barriers to preparedness that people face. Comments are due by December 3, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 4, 2024 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a virtual public meeting on October 24, 2024, from 8:00 - 5:30 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include updates from VA leadership, the Executive Director of the VA Office of Rural Health, and the Committee Chair, as well as presentations by subject matter experts on general rural healthcare access.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 3, 2024 - Notice of interim final action with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising Medicare wage index values for fiscal year (FY) 2025, establishes a transitional payment exception for low-wage hospitals significantly impacted by those revisions, and makes conforming changes to the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) payment rates for FY 2025. These changes reflect the removal of the low wage index hospital policy following the appellate court decision in Bridgeport Hosp. v. Becerra. This rule also makes conforming changes to IPPS rates and factors used to determine certain payments under the long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS). This action is effective on September 30, 2024. Comments are due by November 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
HHS: Charter Renewal of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Oct 3, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing that the charter for the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) has been renewed. he PACCARB advises and provides information and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS regarding programs and policies intended to reduce or combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria that may present a public health threat. The charter renewal is effective through August 29, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 2, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical and typographical corrections to the August 28, 2024, final rule. This correction is effective October 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 2, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the August 7, 2024, final action. This correction in effective October 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 2, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the August 6, 2024, final rule. This correction is effective October 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 2, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical and typographical corrections to the August 6, 2024, final rule. This correction is effective October 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 2, 2024 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comments on revisions to forms related to Bridging the Digital Divide for Low-Income Consumers, Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization, Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support. The revisions will implement the new requirements captured in the Safe Connections Act Survey in the Safe Connections Act Order, FCC 23-96, which requires that surveys be developed and sent to stakeholder groups working directly with survivors of domestic violence to conduct a program evaluation. Comments are due by December 2, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 2, 2024 - Notice of interim rule with comment period from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, to include 12 existing HHS-specific modifications. Among other things, this rule also repeals HHS' existing regulations governing the administration of HHS financial assistance awards. This rule is effective October 1, 2025, except for amendatory instruction 2, which is effective October 1, 2024. Comments are due by November 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 1, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing an additional 30 days for comments on proposed revisions to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). NHANES produces descriptive statistics, which measure the health and nutrition status of the general population. For 2025-2026, substantial changes to NHANES content and procedures are not being considered. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 1, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical and typographical corrections to the August 6, 2024, final rule. This correction is effective October 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 1, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Home Health Facilities (HHAs) and Supporting Regulations." Information collected is used to determine whether HHAs are complying with their Conditions of Participation (CoP). Comments are due by December 2, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 1, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking comments on 12 new objectives proposed to be added to Healthy People 2030. Objectives cover the inclusion of environmental health in health professions education programs, age-appropriate vaccinations, hypertension during pregnancy, and more. HHS is also soliciting proposals for additional new core, developmental, or research objectives or topics to be included in Healthy People 2030. Comments are due by October 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 1, 2024 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) on March 27, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern. The meeting will provide information on federal efforts related to serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED). The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the SAMHSA website before the meeting.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 30, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Evaluation of Stakeholder Training and Program Support and 2) Federally Qualified Health Center Cost Report Form. Comments are due by November 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 30, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical and typographical corrections to the April 23, 2024, final rule. This correcting amendment is effective September 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 30, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces the renewal of the Council on Graduate Medical Education. The charter is effective through September 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 30, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) making necessary revisions to the policy and procedures which will strengthen oversight and management of the growing Community Facilities (CF), Water and Waste Disposal (WWD), Business and Industry (B&I), and Rural Energy for America (REAP) guarantee portfolios. Comments are due by October 30, 2024. This rule is effective November 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 27, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing policies for assessing performance year (PY) 2023 financial performance of Medicare Shared Savings Program (Shared Savings Program) Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in light of significant, anomalous, and highly suspect (SAHS) billing activity for selected intermittent urinary catheters on Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics & Supplies (DMEPOS) claims. Among other things, this rule establishes benchmarks for ACOs starting agreement periods in 2024, 2025, and 2026, financial calculations used in the application cycle for ACOs applying to enter a new agreement period beginning on January 1, 2025, and the change request cycle for ACOs continuing their participation in the program for PY 2025. These regulations are effective October 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 27, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announcing the annual adjustment in the amount in controversy (AIC) threshold amounts for Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings and judicial review under the Medicare appeals process. The calendar year 2025 AIC threshold amounts are $190 for ALJ hearings and $1,900 for judicial review. These adjustments will be effective for requests filed on or after January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) withdrawing the May 10, 2016, proposed rule titled "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)." This rule would have amended the SNAP regulations to establish procedures for planning, requesting, and operating D-SNAP. FNS is withdrawing this proposed rule to maintain the flexibility to adapt D-SNAP to unique disaster situations. This withdrawal is effective September 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) announcing it is accepting applications for the Multifamily Housing Preservation and Revitalization Demonstration Program (MPR) and Section 515 Loan Program. These loan and grant funds may be used to preserve and improve existing Rural Rental Housing (RRH) and Off-Farm Labor Housing (OFF-FLH) projects to extend their affordable use. Applicants must send an email message to the RHS Production and Preservation Division by 12:00 p.m. Eastern on December 16, 2024. Applications are due by December 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding:
Multifamily Housing Non-Profit Transfer Technical Assistance Grants
Sep 26, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implementing policies in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP) related to the new legislative requirements in the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 (MSIAA). Among other things, this rule finalizes several other proposed program integrity and program administration provisions or modifications. This rule also rescinds revisions made by the December 31, 2020, final rule consistent with a May 2022 court order. These regulations are effective November 19, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 26, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the reinstatement with change of an information collection titled "End Stage Renal Disease Annual Facility Survey Form." This form collects certification and other information about End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities approved by Medicare to provide kidney dialysis and transplant services. Comments are due by November 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 26, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Medicaid Managed Care and Supporting Regulations." Comments are due by October 28, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 24, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcing the approval of an information collection associated with the rules outlined in the January 11, 2024, final rule and the FCC's Third Report and Order. Amendments to sections 54.601(b) and (c) (amendatory instruction 2) and 54.622(e)(1)(i) through (ii) and (i)(3)(iv) (amendatory instruction 4) are effective September 24, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 23, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) making amending regulations implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) and adding new regulations implementing the nonquantitative treatment limitation (NQTL) comparative analyses requirements under MHPAEA, as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA, 2021). Specifically, these rules amend the existing NQTL standard to prevent plans and issuers from using NQTLs to place greater limits on access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits as compared to medical/surgical benefits. These regulations are effective November 22, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 20, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking comments on a proposed information collection project titled the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS). The goal of the project is to assess the health of the population through patient use of physician and advanced practice provider offices, health centers, and to monitor the characteristics of physician and advanced practice provider practices. Comments are due by November 19, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 20, 2024 - The Census Bureau will hold a virtual public meeting of the 2030 Census Advisory Committee on October 17-18, 2024. The committee will review and provide feedback related to 2030 Census plans and execution to assist the Census Bureau in devising strategies to increase census awareness and participation, reduce barriers to response, and enhance the public's trust and willingness to respond. Meeting information, including the agenda and how to join the meeting, will be posted on the Census Advisory Committee website.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 19, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of The Compliance Team (TCT) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for suppliers providing home infusion therapy services that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This accreditation is effective September 28, 2024 – September 28, 2030.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 19, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for suppliers providing home infusion therapy services that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This accreditation is effective September 26, 2024 – September 26, 2030.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 19, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a virtual public meeting on November 6-8, 2024, to discuss the preliminary coding, Medicare benefit category, and payment determinations, if applicable, for new revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II code set. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the CMS website. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 19, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeking comments on a proposed information collection for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Health Outcomes and Participant Experience (HOPE) Study. Information collected will provide the USDA and FNS with information about the population WIC serves, how well WIC services align with participants' needs, and how WIC influences participants' health outcomes. Comments are due by November 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 19, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service (RHS) proposing to amend the current Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) regulations. Among other things, this rule proposes changes to the requirements for the length of time a prior Agency loss is considered significant derogatory credit and address seasoning requirements and payment performance for refinance transactions and the establishment of a seven-year time frame for the applicant to re-establish credit after a prior loss claim with the Agency before that loss would no longer be considered significant derogatory credit. Comments are due by November 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 18, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for suppliers providing home infusion therapy services that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This accreditation is effective September 25, 2024 – September 25, 2030.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 18, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) announcing revised performance standards for Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs). The standards reflect practices identified both by OIG and MFCUs that will improve MFCU effectiveness in fulfilling their oversight mission. These standards replace and supersede standards published on June 1, 2012, and are effective on September 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 17, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Request for Employment Information and 2) Community Mental Health Center Cost Report. Comments are due by November 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 17, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Notice of Denial of Medical Coverage (or Payment)—NDMCP; 2) Notice of Denial of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage; 3) Subpart D-Private Contracts and Supporting Regulations; and 4) Rural Health Clinic Cost Report. Comments are due by October 17, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 17, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application for continued recognition of the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) as a national accrediting organization for home health agencies that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Comments are due by October 17, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 17, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on the potential to require a winning bidder in the 5G Fund Phase I auction to demonstrate Tribal consent during the long-form application process. Specifically, the FCC seeks input on how it can best assess an applicant's eligibility to be authorized to receive 5G Fund support for the purpose of deploying network facilities that would enable 5G mobile broadband service located on Tribal lands, while incorporating Tribal government consent into the Commission's approval process. Comments are due by October 17, 2024. Reply comments are due by November 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
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