Search Results for agency_names:"Office of the Secretary"

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final rule that requires its regulations to be reviewed periodically, with most regulations set to expire automatically every ten years unless reviewed. This is intended to ensure that regulations stay up-to-date and relevant. The final rule also includes processes for public comments and specifies the criteria for reviews, which include assessing whether the regulations significantly impact small entities, and if they are still necessary or need amendments. Certain regulations, such as those mandated by federal law and the annual Medicare payment update rules, are exempt from these reviews.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has submitted a proposal to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, seeking permission to collect information under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This information collection is connected to the National Industrial Security System (NISS), which helps the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) supervise the National Industrial Security Program (NISP). The collected data ensures that contractor facilities can securely handle classified information. Individuals and groups interested in giving feedback on this proposal have until February 10, 2025, to send in their comments.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a proposed arms sale to Greece, involving UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment, valued at approximately $1.95 billion. This sale aims to enhance Greece's military capabilities by replacing their current helicopter fleet with more reliable technology, supporting the security objectives of both Greece and the United States. The principal contractor for the deal will be Sikorsky, a part of Lockheed Martin. The equipment and services involved in the sale are cleared for export to Greece and are considered critical to maintaining security and readiness in the region.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have jointly proposed a new rule seeking public input on extending the Secretary of Labor's review system to specific temporary labor certification cases. This rule will allow the Secretary of Labor to review decisions related to H-2B temporary labor certifications made by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals and the Department of Labor's Administrative Review Board. The proposal includes updates to existing regulations and aims to maintain efficient handling of cases without notable disruption. The departments are encouraging public comments on this proposed rule to ensure informed decision-making.

The Health and Human Services Department has issued a final rule updating the standards for electronic transactions in retail pharmacies under HIPAA. The rule adopts modifications to improve data exchange, enhance patient safety, and streamline processes, like replacing several free text fields with specific data fields. These changes include implementing the NCPDP Telecommunication Standard Implementation Guide, Version F6, and the NCPDP Batch Standard Subrogation Implementation Guide, Version 10, specifically for Medicaid agencies. The new standards are set to take effect beginning February 11, 2028, with compliance required 36 months after the final rule's publication, including an 8-month transition period to ease the changes.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a proposed rule to establish new safeguards for research involving human fetal tissue from elective abortions. The rule includes requirements for informed consent from pregnant women, prohibits financial incentives related to tissue donation or abortion, and mandates how human fetal tissue should be sourced and disposed of. HHS aims to ensure the ethical conduct of such research by aligning its regulations with established ethical guidelines and federal laws, enhancing oversight, and stressing the importance of truly voluntary informed consent. The proposal invites public comments to help refine these regulations.

The Department of Defense is announcing a meeting of the Defense Business Board on January 13, 2025. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and is open to the public. The Board will discuss supply chain risk management and will provide strategic-level advice on managing defense operations. People interested in attending must register by January 10, 2025, and can submit written comments to be reviewed during the meeting.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced the adoption of a National Park Service (NPS) categorical exclusion for managing invasive species, which will be used by seven other department bureaus. This decision aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of controlling invasive species on federal lands, following proper environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The adopted exclusion, allowing actions such as physical control and use of biological control organisms, means that these bureaus can manage invasive species without requiring a full environmental assessment, unless extraordinary circumstances arise. This step seeks to protect native species and preserve ecosystems across lands managed by these departments.

The Department of Defense (DoD), through its Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), has submitted a proposal to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) seeking approval to gather information under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This information collection is related to the Nuclear Test Personnel Review Forms and involves 278 respondents, mainly veterans and civilians who participated in nuclear tests. The collected data will help recognize military service, verify participation, and assess radiation exposure, ultimately supporting the award of the Atomic Veterans Service Certificate (AVSC) and processing compensation claims. Public comments on this proposal are being accepted until February 12, 2021.

The Defense Health Agency, under the Department of Defense, is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection related to the TRICARE Plus Enrollment/Disenrollment Application. This collection is necessary to help identify eligible beneficiaries for the TRICARE Plus Health Plan and requires interested individuals to provide some basic information. The agency is inviting feedback on the necessity and impact of this information collection, aiming to streamline the process and lessen the respondents' burden. Comments will be considered until April 30, 2021, and should be submitted electronically.