Search Results for agency_names:"Centers for Medicare

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced agreements for six social impact partnership projects under the Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act (SIPPRA), amounting to $46.9 million. These projects, located in cities like Boise, Jacksonville, and New York City, as well as counties in Delaware and South Carolina, aim to address various social challenges such as homelessness, healthcare costs, and early childhood development. Each project outlines specific outcome goals, including healthcare and housing improvements, and defines metrics to evaluate success, with savings estimated for federal, state, and local governments if targets are met. The interventions span various timelines, with detailed methodologies planned for assessing their impact.

The Department of State has issued a final rule that updates the criteria for issuing "diplomatic type" or "official type" visas, aiming to better align with U.S. laws and international travel practices. This rule expands the previous definition of passports by including non-national travel documents, such as those from organizations like the United Nations, as potential equivalents to diplomatic passports. It also clarifies the categories of individuals who can receive these visas, making distinctions to avoid confusion between visa types and classifications. These changes ensure that the visa issuance process for diplomatic, official, and regular types is consistent and transparent.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is making changes to the service standards for certain types of mail, including First-Class Mail, Periodicals, USPS Marketing Mail, and Package Services. These new standards aim to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service reliability as part of the USPS's "Delivering for America" plan. The changes will be implemented in phases starting April 1, 2025, with a focus on better aligning mail processing and transportation to make the service more reliable and cost-effective. Despite some criticism, USPS asserts that the revisions will result in overall faster service for many mail types and improve the postal network's long-term sustainability.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a final rule establishing new procedures for the issuance of guidance documents to ensure compliance with Executive Order 13891. This rule requires that DOE guidance documents clearly state they are non-binding and do not impose any legal obligations; they serve merely to clarify existing laws. Additionally, the DOE has set up a process allowing the public to petition for the modification or withdrawal of these documents. The rule aims to enhance transparency and allow for public feedback on significant guidance documents through a dedicated online portal.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is proposing changes to its rules about medical copayments for veterans. The proposed rule would allow the VA to start the process to waive copayment debts on behalf of veterans in certain situations. This means veterans may not have to fill out a specific form (VA Form 5655) anymore when asking for a waiver. The rule aims to make it easier for veterans by simplifying the process and clarifying regulations related to these medical debts.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set January 1, 2024, as the uniform compliance date for food labeling regulations that were published between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022. This means any new food labeling rules released during this timeframe must be followed by the start of 2024 to reduce the economic impact of labeling changes on the food industry. The FDA states that while these regulations don't immediately introduce new costs, they allow businesses time to adjust their labeling practices. The rule also specifies that special circumstances may justify a different compliance date, which will be detailed as needed.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing a new rule that would allow states to waive the hazardous materials endorsement requirement for drivers with a Class A commercial driver's license who transport up to 1,000 gallons of aviation jet fuel for agricultural operations. This change aims to help agricultural aviation companies, especially those in remote areas, by making it easier to find drivers to deliver jet fuel, thus supporting these businesses' efficiency. The proposal may lead to cost savings for both drivers and agricultural operators, without reducing safety, as these operations typically occur in low-traffic rural areas. Public comments on the proposal are being accepted until February 3, 2025.

The Department of Education has issued new regulations to adjust penalties for inflation, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. These adjustments affect various fines related to educational institutions and government interactions, such as failure to report information or improper lobbying. The changes, effective January 21, 2025, are calculated using a set multiplier for inflation and will impact penalties assessed after this date for violations occurring post-November 2, 2015. The adjustments ensure the penalties continue to serve their deterrent purpose without being subject to a public comment period, as allowed by the law.

The Department of Education has issued final regulations to adjust civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for inflation, as required by law. This adjustment is based on the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and affects penalties related to higher education, violations by lenders, and improper lobbying, among others. The new penalty amounts are calculated using a specific multiplier from the Office of Management and Budget, ensuring they retain their deterrent effect. These updates apply to violations occurring after November 2, 2015, and penalties assessed after February 3, 2021.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking applications for membership on its advisory committees, which include the Consumer Advisory Board, Community Bank Advisory Council, Credit Union Advisory Council, and Academic Research Council. These committees consist of experts from various fields like consumer protection, financial services, and economics to advise the bureau on consumer financial markets. The membership, which usually lasts two years, requires diverse representation of communities and interests, including those underserved. Applications are accepted online by February 24, 2021, and should include a cover letter, résumé, recommendation letter, and completed questionnaire. The Bureau aims to announce the selected new members in late summer 2021.