Search Results for agency_names:"Health and Human Services Department"

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new rule that would require most packaged foods to display a front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label called the Nutrition Info box. This label aims to help consumers quickly find and better understand important nutrition information by providing easy-to-read details about saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. The new rule also includes updates to regulations for low sodium and low saturated fat claims, and would allow businesses time to adjust, with compliance dates varying based on their annual sales.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended a temporary halt on residential evictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This extension lasts from January 31, 2021, through March 31, 2021, and aims to protect renters from eviction if they meet certain criteria, like having a drop in income or making partial rental payments. The order seeks to prevent evicted individuals from moving into crowded settings, which can heighten the risk of spreading the virus. It also highlights available federal resources, such as rental assistance programs, to support those financially impacted by the pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), issued an order requiring everyone to wear masks on all forms of public transportation and at transportation hubs within the United States. This measure aims to reduce the spread of COVID-19, a virus that is easily transmitted through respiratory droplets. The mask requirement applies to all travelers, operators, and anybody present in transportation hubs, with certain exemptions for young children and individuals with specific disabilities. This order is intended to help control the pandemic and support public health response efforts across various governmental levels.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting a 3-year extension for the Administration for Native Americans Project Outcome Assessment Survey. This survey aids in reporting on performance measures and fulfilling statutory requirements. ACF invites public comments and suggestions on the proposed information collection until February 12, 2025. Those interested can provide feedback via the specified online platform or email.

The Office of Child Care (OCC), a part of the Administration for Children and Families, is seeking public comments on a proposed application for disaster relief funds provided by the American Relief Act of 2025. These funds, totaling $250 million, are intended to help eligible states, territories, and tribes affected by major disasters in 2023 and 2024. The OCC is specifically interested in comments about the necessity and effectiveness of the information collection process, and they are considering setting predetermined funding grant ranges. Comments are due by March 18, 2025.

The Administration for Children and Families has issued a final rule permitting State and Tribal child support agencies to use federal funds to provide employment and training services to eligible noncustodial parents. These services aim to help parents find and keep jobs to ensure consistent child support payments. Effective January 13, 2025, the rule allows noncustodial parents with open child support cases to receive assistance such as job search help, skills training, and work support services. The initiative also seeks to enhance coordination with existing federal employment and training programs to prevent duplication and maximize benefits.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has updated the poverty guidelines to reflect a 1.2% increase in prices from 2019 to 2020, as measured by the Consumer Price Index. These guidelines help determine eligibility for federal programs like Medicaid. In some cases, due to adjustments in the formula, the guidelines may remain the same as the previous year despite inflation changes. The guidelines are mandated by law and are published annually by HHS, not the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as some might mistakenly believe.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has announced four awards to health organizations in Guinea, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Tanzania. These awards aim to boost public health efforts, including disease surveillance, outbreak response, and laboratory development, over a five-year period from 2025 to 2030. The total funding for these projects amounts to approximately $31 million, with specific allocations for each country's agency. This initiative seeks to strengthen global health readiness and the ability to respond quickly to health emergencies.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have finalized a rule expanding the ability for practitioners to prescribe certain controlled substances for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment through telemedicine, including audio-only calls. Under these new rules, practitioners can prescribe a six-month supply of these medications after reviewing the patient's prescription drug monitoring program data, with the possibility of extending prescriptions through telemedicine or after a face-to-face evaluation. Additional safeguards include identity verification by pharmacists before filling prescriptions to prevent misuse. The rule aims to continue the telemedicine flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic while addressing the opioid crisis and concerns about substance misuse.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has finalized a rule updating the list of select agents and toxins that could be used as biological threats, effective January 16, 2025. The changes include removing certain Brucella species from the list, updating the nomenclature for several agents, increasing the permissible limit for a specific toxin, and designating Nipah virus as a Tier 1 select agent due to its high risk of misuse. The decision to retain or modify agents like the botulinum neurotoxin-producing species of Clostridium reflects considerations of public health, security, and regulatory compliance. These adjustments aim to align with current scientific understanding and reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining necessary security measures.