Search Results for agency_names:"Office of the Secretary"

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final rule that requires its regulations to be reviewed periodically, with most regulations set to expire automatically every ten years unless reviewed. This is intended to ensure that regulations stay up-to-date and relevant. The final rule also includes processes for public comments and specifies the criteria for reviews, which include assessing whether the regulations significantly impact small entities, and if they are still necessary or need amendments. Certain regulations, such as those mandated by federal law and the annual Medicare payment update rules, are exempt from these reviews.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a proposed arms sale to Greece, involving UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment, valued at approximately $1.95 billion. This sale aims to enhance Greece's military capabilities by replacing their current helicopter fleet with more reliable technology, supporting the security objectives of both Greece and the United States. The principal contractor for the deal will be Sikorsky, a part of Lockheed Martin. The equipment and services involved in the sale are cleared for export to Greece and are considered critical to maintaining security and readiness in the region.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have jointly proposed a new rule seeking public input on extending the Secretary of Labor's review system to specific temporary labor certification cases. This rule will allow the Secretary of Labor to review decisions related to H-2B temporary labor certifications made by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals and the Department of Labor's Administrative Review Board. The proposal includes updates to existing regulations and aims to maintain efficient handling of cases without notable disruption. The departments are encouraging public comments on this proposed rule to ensure informed decision-making.

The Health and Human Services Department has issued a final rule updating the standards for electronic transactions in retail pharmacies under HIPAA. The rule adopts modifications to improve data exchange, enhance patient safety, and streamline processes, like replacing several free text fields with specific data fields. These changes include implementing the NCPDP Telecommunication Standard Implementation Guide, Version F6, and the NCPDP Batch Standard Subrogation Implementation Guide, Version 10, specifically for Medicaid agencies. The new standards are set to take effect beginning February 11, 2028, with compliance required 36 months after the final rule's publication, including an 8-month transition period to ease the changes.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a proposed rule to establish new safeguards for research involving human fetal tissue from elective abortions. The rule includes requirements for informed consent from pregnant women, prohibits financial incentives related to tissue donation or abortion, and mandates how human fetal tissue should be sourced and disposed of. HHS aims to ensure the ethical conduct of such research by aligning its regulations with established ethical guidelines and federal laws, enhancing oversight, and stressing the importance of truly voluntary informed consent. The proposal invites public comments to help refine these regulations.

The Department of Commerce is requesting public comments on its information collection activities related to a Foreign National Request Form. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act, the department seeks feedback to help reduce the public's reporting burden and assess the impact of its information requirements. Individuals have until May 30, 2025, to submit comments. The collected information will be used to manage access by foreign nationals to Commerce facilities, with the goal of ensuring security and compliance with current guidelines.

The Health and Human Services Department has released a final rule aimed at enhancing access to electronic health information while addressing concerns about privacy and legal implications for patients and providers, especially concerning reproductive health care. This rule refines existing information blocking exceptions and introduces a new "Protecting Care Access Exception," allowing health care providers to withhold certain sensitive information to avoid potential legal risks related to seeking, obtaining, or providing lawful reproductive health care. The rule aims to protect patient trust and ensure that health care providers continue to use digital records, thus avoiding a return to paper methods that could hinder patient care and health IT advancements. Additionally, it emphasizes that if any part of this rule is legally challenged, the remaining provisions will still stand.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced the unclassified details of a potential arms sale. This involves the NATO Support and Procurement Agency buying maintenance and support services for their C-17 aircraft, at an estimated cost of $150 million. The sale is intended to enhance NATO's airlift capability and aligns with U.S. foreign policy goals of supporting NATO's security. The Boeing Company is set to be the principal contractor, and there will be no negative effect on U.S. defense readiness from this transaction.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking public feedback on potential new rules to protect airline passengers from financial losses caused by flight disruptions. These rules could require airlines to provide cash compensation, free rebooking, and amenities like meals and lodging when flights are significantly delayed or canceled due to reasons within the airline's control. The DOT is also considering how to ensure passengers quickly receive accurate information about their rights and options in these situations. The goal is to offer clear and automatic processes for passengers to obtain compensation and services, especially for travelers with disabilities who may face additional challenges.

The Department of Labor is seeking public feedback on their request to collect information through the DOL Events Management Platform. This platform helps gather registration details for various events organized by the Department. The information collection has to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, which ensures the necessity and utility of the data collected. The public can submit comments on the proposal until March 15, 2021, before it is reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget for approval.