Search Results for agency_names:"Centers for Medicare

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 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented the 5G Fund for Rural America, aimed at expanding 5G mobile wireless broadband in rural areas. This plan builds on improved data from the National Broadband Map to identify areas lacking high-speed mobile service, ensuring that efforts are targeted to the most underserved regions. The 5G Fund Phase I budget has been increased to $9 billion, with adjustments for Tribal lands, and includes timelines for transitioning away from legacy support systems to this more modern structure. Furthermore, recipients of this fund will need to implement cybersecurity and supply chain risk management plans, and there are incentives for integrating Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technologies into the supported networks.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has received an application for a long-term loan or financial guarantee exceeding $100 million to support the export of U.S.-manufactured Boeing commercial aircraft to Azerbaijan. The intended use of these aircraft is to provide air cargo transport services. The principal supplier is The Boeing Company, and the obligor is Silk Way West Airlines LLC, with guarantors being Silk Way Development LLC, Silk Way Holding LLC, and Silk Way Airlines LLC. Public comments on this transaction are open until February 7, 2025, and the outcome will be shared on EXIM's website.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a request related to Simplified Employee Pensions (SEPs) compliance. This information collection aims to ensure that employees participating in SEPs receive timely and specific written information about their plans, such as participation requirements and employer contribution details. The public is invited to comment on whether this information collection is necessary and useful, and the DOL seeks authorization for this request to be valid for three years. Public comments can be submitted until March 8, 2021.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to update the classification of the West Indian manatee by distinguishing between its two subspecies, listing the Florida manatee as a threatened species and the Antillean manatee as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal involves removing the West Indian manatee from the list and replacing it with the two subspecies to provide them with distinct protections. The Florida manatee faces threats like habitat loss, watercraft collisions, and climate change, whereas the Antillean manatee is endangered by factors like poaching, low genetic diversity, and ineffective regulatory enforcement in some areas. Public comments are invited on this proposed rule until March 17, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request for review and approval of an information collection request related to municipal solid waste landfills to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This request is an extension for rules compliance and involves submitting notifications, conducting performance tests, and keeping records, affecting about 190 landfill operators. The EPA is seeking additional public comment for 30 days, and the estimated annual burden of this requirement is 176,000 hours, costing approximately $12.5 million. The number of respondents and overall burden has increased due to new landfills becoming subject to stricter standards.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has updated its rules related to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to better reflect modern costs and practices. Changes include adjustments to the fees associated with providing information, such as increasing photocopy fees from $0.10 to $0.15 per page and eliminating fees for fully redacted pages. The CPSC will also no longer charge for electronic files due to minimal costs. Additionally, the rule outlines new procedures for fee notifications and payments, as well as updates reflecting changes in CPSC's organizational structure and practices.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed new regulations to implement conservation measures for tropical tuna fishing in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, following international agreements made by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) for the years 2025-2026. These rules include fishing restrictions for U.S. vessels involved in catching bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna, which are necessary to maintain sustainable fish populations and meet international obligations. Key measures involve closure days for purse seine vessels exceeding specific catch limits and restrictions on the use of fish aggregating devices. Public comments on the proposal are invited until January 6, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), is introducing a temporary rule to help U.S. businesses struggling from a lack of workers by increasing the number of H-2B visas available for Fiscal Year 2025 by up to 64,716. These visas will be distributed over the fiscal year in four allocations, with a portion reserved specifically for nationals of certain countries including Guatemala, El Salvador, and Haiti. The rule also allows greater job flexibility for H-2B workers already in the U.S. by letting them change employers more easily. Businesses must attest they are facing severe loss without these workers for their applications to be considered.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request for an extension of information collection requirements related to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Asphalt Processing and Roofing Manufacture. This request, which is under review by the Office of Management and Budget, seeks to renew the existing approval set to expire on February 28, 2021. Public comments are being requested for an additional 30 days. The EPA explains that there have been no changes in the regulatory requirements or industry growth, hence no changes in the burden or costs for compliance.