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

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 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 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 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a new rule to set a maximum nicotine level in cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products. This measure aims to decrease the addictiveness of these products, making it easier for people who want to quit to do so, and to prevent youth from becoming addicted. The rule is expected to benefit public health by reducing the number of individuals who start smoking or continue smoking over time. The proposal could potentially improve health outcomes by reducing the overall harmful effects of tobacco addiction.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule to improve care coordination and individual engagement. These changes aim to facilitate better communication among healthcare providers, payors, and individuals, reducing unnecessary barriers and maintaining patient privacy. The proposed modifications include new definitions for terms like "electronic health record" and adjustments to individual rights for accessing their health information. HHS seeks public comments on these proposals by March 22, 2021, to ensure that the regulations support the shift to value-based healthcare.

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 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 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 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking public comments on its plan to continue collecting data for the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) COVID-19 Testing Program. This program helps monitor the use of $225 million in federal funds provided to support COVID-19 testing in rural areas. Funded clinics report on their testing activities, the number of patients tested, and positive results. Comments and suggestions about the data collection process are invited to ensure the information gathering is efficient and useful.