Search Results for keywords:"data sharing"

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a new matching program with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to verify eligibility for the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy. This program involves the IRS sharing specific taxpayer information with the SSA to determine correct subsidy percentages for benefits under the Social Security Act. Interested parties have until May 12, 2025, to submit comments regarding this program, which will begin on May 27, 2025, and last for 18 months. The initiative is authorized under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code and the Social Security Act.

The Executive Order 13994 outlines the U.S. government's plan to enhance its response to COVID-19 and prepare for future public health threats. It emphasizes using data-driven approaches by improving data collection, sharing, and analysis across federal, state, local, and tribal levels. The order directs relevant agencies to improve public health data systems and advance innovation in public health data and analytics. It also ensures the protection of privileged and personal information while implementing these measures.

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), part of the National Institutes of Health, has announced a request for public comments on a proposed data collection project called the Data and Specimen Hub (DASH). This initiative aims to improve data sharing in biomedical research by allowing investigators to share and access de-identified study data and biospecimens. DASH will enable easier discovery and use of study data by cataloging information about studies and data collections stored in various public archives. The proposal seeks to continue collecting this information efficiently while minimizing the burden on those providing the data. Public comments are invited within 60 days from publication.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced changes to the way it manages records about unaccompanied children in federal custody due to their immigration status. The updated system, now called the ORR Unaccompanied Children Bureau (UCB) Administrative Program Records, aims to enhance privacy protections and clarify routine uses of data, especially concerning law enforcement and child welfare investigations. The revisions prohibit using children's information for immigration enforcement purposes without consent and specify situations where information can be shared, like health care coordination or missing children investigations. These changes are part of HHS's ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is asking the public for feedback on how companies that provide financial services handle consumers' personal financial data. They want to understand how these companies collect, use, and share data from consumer payments. The information collected will help CFPB make decisions on whether to update regulations to better protect consumer privacy. Anyone interested can share their thoughts, and CFPB particularly wants to hear from consumers, advocates, researchers, and businesses by April 11, 2025.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a consent agreement with Flo Health, Inc., a company accused of sharing users' menstrual and fertility data without their consent, violating laws against deceptive business practices. Flo Health had promised users their information would remain private but allegedly shared it with third parties like Facebook and Google. The proposed order, open for public comment, requires Flo Health to improve its privacy practices, notify users of the data sharing, and obtain users' express consent before sharing personal health information again. Additionally, there's a debate among FTC commissioners about whether further enforcement actions, such as applying the Health Breach Notification Rule, should be taken against Flo Health.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is updating its system of records, specifically the "Health Information Exchange-VA." These changes involve renaming the system, updating contact and location details, and modifying how records are stored and accessed. The updated system focuses on sharing health information to improve veteran care and includes new categories of data and protection measures to ensure data security. The modifications also clarify how information can be shared with other organizations and government agencies while maintaining privacy protections.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued a notice to modify the Travel and Border Crossing Records system, initially published in 2019, in accordance with the Privacy Act. This modified system collects information about individuals who receive benefits and have traveled outside the United States, to ensure proper benefit payments under Titles II, XVI, and XVIII of the Social Security Act. Public comments are invited on the changes, especially concerning routine uses, before they become effective on March 31, 2021. The modifications include updates to contact information, records retention, and disposal practices, as well as corrections to stylistic and typographical errors.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a modification to its system of records for Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and Applications. This change includes updates to record-keeping practices, incorporating gender-inclusive language, and clarifying the system's use in a cloud-based environment. It includes new protocols for security, retention, and the sharing of information with other federal and state agencies. Public comments are invited by January 30, 2025, for any routine use concerns, and the details are documented in the Federal Register.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is requesting public comments on rules about when and how tax return information can be shared. This involves sharing for quality checks or if a tax preparer can't fulfill their duties due to incapacity or death. Comments must be sent by April 19, 2021, and the IRS aims to lessen paperwork and make sure the information collection remains efficient and useful. The IRS also asks for feedback on improvements, accuracy, and ways to reduce the burden of collecting this information.