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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking public comments on a proposal concerning the collection of information related to COVID-19 tests for airline passengers entering the United States. This proposal requires passengers to present either a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days before their flight or documentation of recovery from the virus. There are some exemptions, such as for certain federal personnel and urgent humanitarian cases. The CDC aims to prevent COVID-19 transmission while acknowledging the potential costs and efforts involved in implementing these requirements.

The National Institutes of Health is holding two closed meetings to review grant applications as part of the Center for Scientific Review. These meetings will take place virtually, with the first on April 15-16, 2025, focusing on biophysical and neuroscience fellowships, and the second on April 24-25, 2025, focusing on imaging and bioengineering technology. The meetings are closed to protect confidential information and personal privacy related to the grant applications.

The Health and Human Services Department has delegated authority to the Chief of the Unaccompanied Children Bureau to make decisions related to juvenile court jurisdiction for unaccompanied alien children seeking special immigrant status. This delegation is in accordance with the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008. It will be effective on the date of signature and conforms with existing financial, administrative, and departmental policies. The actions taken by the Chief prior to this date are also affirmed and ratified.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is making corrections to an interim rule about investigating child abuse and neglect claims in care facilities for unaccompanied children. These changes correct technical errors in a previously published rule and are aimed at ensuring standards are clear and processes are accurately described, including processes for appeals and records. The corrected rules become effective on December 27, 2024, as originally intended.

The document from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) corrects errors in a previous rule regarding payment systems and reporting programs for hospitals and surgical centers. These corrections involve fixing technical and typographical mistakes in tables, payment rates, and website links. Changes also include adjusting codes and figures related to payment systems and Medicare policies. The document clarifies that these adjustments ensure accurate payments and reflect the policies without altering underlying methodologies.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is holding a series of meetings to review and evaluate grant applications. These meetings are part of the Center for Scientific Review and will focus on various topics, including biomaterials, social sciences, psychosocial development, global brain research, and health interventions. All meetings will be conducted virtually and are closed to the public to protect sensitive information. Each meeting is led by different Scientific Review Officers and occurs throughout April 2025.

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.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded a priority review voucher to Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. for their product, OXLUMO (lumasiran) injection. This product is used to treat a rare disease called primary hyperoxaluria type 1, which helps lower urinary oxalate levels in both children and adults. The voucher is part of a program set by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which recognizes drugs designed for rare pediatric diseases. The FDA is required to announce when such vouchers are awarded.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has announced that a meeting will be held on February 5-6, 2025. The meeting will be closed to the public under federal law due to discussions of confidential topics and personal information. The focus of the meeting will be to review and evaluate grant applications related to microbiology, infectious diseases, and AIDS. This video-assisted meeting will take place at the National Institutes of Health in Rockville, Maryland.

The National Cancer Institute Council of Research Advocates is holding a virtual meeting open to the public on March 10-11, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The agenda includes welcome and remarks from the Chairwoman, updates from the NCI, legislative updates, and a director's update. Those interested in attending and requiring special accommodations should contact Amy Williams at the National Cancer Institute. Additional information and the meeting agenda will be available on the NCI's dedicated advisory webpage.