Search Results for keywords:"Medicare Evidence Development

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has issued an interim rule to remove its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) from the Code of Federal Regulations. This action follows an executive order that rescinded the previous directive requiring these regulations and raised questions about CEQ's authority to impose binding rules. CEQ invites public comments on this rule by March 27, 2025, and will consider these before finalizing the rule. The interim rule’s removal of regulations is aimed at addressing legal uncertainties and simplifying agency compliance with NEPA.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disapproved a proposed rule change by The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC concerning increased fees for certain market data and connectivity products. Nasdaq suggested increasing fees for firms that do not meet a minimum average daily displayed volume while maintaining lower fees for those who do. The SEC found that Nasdaq did not provide sufficient evidence that the proposed fees would be reasonable or fair, or that they would not harm competition. Additionally, the SEC was concerned that the pricing structure could unfairly disadvantage market participants who choose to trade on other exchanges.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has proposed a rule to change how Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) are filed by certain financial institutions, like state member banks and bank holding companies. The rule aims to allow for exemptions from these requirements to help banks more effectively meet Bank Secrecy Act requirements, potentially leading to innovative ways to tackle financial crime. The Board will coordinate with FinCEN on exemption requests and is seeking public comments on the proposal until February 22, 2021. The proposal emphasizes that these exemptions won't relieve institutions from complying with FinCEN’s SAR regulations.

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced changes to the drug testing panels used in Federal workplace testing programs. The revised panels now include fentanyl and its metabolite norfentanyl, reflecting changes in drug use patterns and safety concerns, particularly related to the opioid crisis. Although there was a proposal to remove MDMA and MDA from the tests due to their low detection rates, this has been postponed for further study. These updates aim to improve the accuracy and relevance of drug tests, balancing scientific evidence, and public input to maintain workplace safety.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing a waiver for certain Buy America requirements under the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) for infrastructure projects in the Pacific Island territories and Freely Associated States, like Guam and American Samoa. This proposal recognizes the unique challenges these regions face, such as extended delivery times and high shipping costs for U.S.-produced goods due to their geographic isolation. If approved, the waiver, which aims to ease these burdens and support project completion, would be valid for five years, allowing exceptions where necessary for strategic security. DOT seeks public comments on this proposal by December 31, 2024.

The Federal Maritime Commission is investigating issues with shipping routes at important international maritime chokepoints, such as the English Channel and the Suez Canal. The investigation aims to understand how foreign laws, vessel practices, and other factors create shipping delays and complications. They have invited public comments to gather insights and possible solutions to these shipping constraints by May 13, 2025. The inquiry is looking into the financial, environmental, and geopolitical impacts of these maritime issues.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a final rule that modifies work requirements and exemptions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in response to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. This rule expands work requirements to include adults aged 50 to 54, but also provides new exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and young adults who have aged out of foster care. These changes are expected to affect federal spending and administrative processes while impacting SNAP eligibility for some participants. The rule will take effect on January 16, 2025, with certain provisions expiring on October 1, 2030.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is considering a proposed rule change submitted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA). This change aims to exempt certain business development companies (BDCs) from existing restrictions on buying and selling initial public offerings (IPOs). Specifically, non-traded BDCs will be allowed to purchase new IPOs more easily, just like publicly traded BDCs and other investment companies. This move is designed to give these non-traded BDCs and their investors better access to diverse investment opportunities, potentially improving their portfolio balance and investments in new stock issues.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a final rule updating the policies and procedures for loan guarantees and direct loans under the Title XVII Program and the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Program. The rule aligns with an Executive Order aimed at reducing reliance on foreign critical minerals and includes refined definitions of "Eligible Projects," as well as guidelines for preliminary term sheets, conditional commitments, and third-party payments of costs and fees. The changes are intended to make loan guarantees more accessible for projects involving critical minerals and innovative technologies. Additionally, the rule clarifies that payment of costs and fees by non-Federal third parties is permissible to support applicants.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to regulate hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), a chemical deemed persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. This rule prohibits almost all manufacturing, processing, and distribution of HCBD and products containing it, except when HCBD is unintentionally produced as a byproduct in the creation of chlorinated solvents and when distributed for incineration as waste fuel. The rule aims to significantly reduce exposure to HCBD to protect human health and the environment, and it becomes effective on March 8, 2021.