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In January 2025, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services published new rules about expanding telemedicine practices. These rules were supposed to take effect on February 18, 2025, but have been delayed to March 21, 2025. This delay aligns with a Presidential order for a "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review," allowing more time for feedback on the rules. The rules allow certain medical professionals to prescribe medications via telemedicine, even without an initial in-person visit, under specific conditions. Public comments about this delay are encouraged, focusing on potential policy, legal, and factual issues.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its Scientific Integrity Policy to foster a culture of scientific honesty and transparency. This Policy aims to ensure that all scientific activities within HHS are conducted without inappropriate interference, upholding principles like honesty, objectivity, and inclusivity. It outlines the responsibilities of HHS employees and provides protections for reporting violations. The Policy also covers procedures for addressing concerns, promoting open communication of scientific information, and ensuring accountability and professional development within the Department.

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are proposing to permanently waive certain premarket notification requirements for specific medical devices. This action follows temporary waivers provided during the COVID-19 pandemic to make medical devices more accessible. The proposal includes making seven class I devices and 84 class II devices permanently exempt from the 510(k) premarket notification requirement, which typically involves a costly and time-consuming process. The public is invited to comment on the proposed exemptions and suggest improvements to the regulatory system concerning medical devices.

The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Community Living, has announced funding to improve Adult Protective Services (APS) in response to COVID-19. This funding, sourced from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, aims to enhance APS in areas like remote work, scam response, and community outreach. States must submit a Letter of Assurance and an Initial Spend Plan by March 3, 2021, to receive their portion of the $93,880,000 available. The grants will be distributed based on the proportion of elderly individuals in each state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, will hold a virtual meeting of the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) on February 10-11, 2021. This meeting will discuss systematic reviews and topics such as Nutrition, Physical Activity, Obesity, and Health Equity/Social Determinants of Health. The public can attend the meeting by registering in advance, and there will be an opportunity for public comments during specific segments. The CPSTF, an independent panel, focuses on identifying programs that enhance public health by evaluating evidence and issuing recommendations, which are informative rather than mandatory.

The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a final rule updating the regulations for the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Research Endowment Programs. This rule expands eligibility for research endowment awards to include certain Health Resources and Services Administration and NIMHD centers of excellence, following the enactment of Public Law 117-104. It also changes the program's name to honor John Lewis and revises outdated regulatory references. The changes aim to improve research capacity in minority health and address health disparities while adhering to current laws and guidelines.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, announced additional funding for five grant recipients from the FY 2020 National Consumer and Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Centers initiative. The extra funding totals $1,806,000, allowing each recipient to receive up to $361,200. This funding will extend their projects by 12 months, until March 30, 2026, enabling them to continue supporting mental health services for adults with serious mental illness. These funds are only available to the original grant recipients who demonstrate satisfactory applications and budgets.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is establishing a new system of records to maintain child abuse and neglect investigation records for the Office of Refugee Resettlement's Unaccompanied Children Bureau. The rule exempts this system from certain Privacy Act requirements, like disclosure and access rights, to protect the integrity of investigations and secure sensitive information. HHS explains that these exemptions are necessary to prevent interference with investigations, safeguard the identities of children and informants, and maintain the effectiveness of investigative techniques. The rule will be effective by February 6, 2025, unless adverse comments are received by January 22, 2025.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a rule to modify the Vaccine Injury Table, which relates to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). This new rule removes Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) and vasovagal syncope from the list of injuries eligible for compensation under the VICP. Some members of the public opposed the change, expressing concerns about safety and potential impacts on liability for vaccine administrators. However, HHS argued that these injuries are often due to improper administration techniques rather than the content of the vaccines themselves, and stated that this change aims to ensure that funds are directed to injuries directly caused by vaccines.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have decided to delay the start date for two rules about using telemedicine to prescribe certain medications to December 31, 2025. These rules include the "Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter," which allows practitioners to prescribe medications for opioid use disorder, and "Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients," which permits Veterans Affairs practitioners to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine under specific conditions. The delay grants additional time to address any questions or issues and follows public feedback, with some comments favoring an immediate start and others requesting a postponement.