📊FCC Notice on Information Collection for Telehealth Programs
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
Learn More🏥QUAD A Accreditation Approval for Outpatient Physical Therapy
This notice acknowledges the approval of an application from the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities dba QUAD A for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Outpatient Physical Therapy programs that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
Learn More💊Delay of HIPAA Modifications
In accordance with the Presidential memorandum of January 20, 2025, titled "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review," the effective date of the final rule titled "Administrative Simplification: Modifications of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) Retail Pharmacy Standards; and Modification of the Medicaid Pharmacy Subrogation Standard" is delayed until April 14, 2025. That final rule adopted updated versions of the retail pharmacy standards for electronic transactions adopted under the Administrative Simplification subtitle of HIPAA, which constitute modifications to the adopted standards for the following retail pharmacy transactions: health care claims or equivalent encounter information; eligibility for a health plan; referral certification and authorization; and coordination of benefits. It also adopted a modification to the standard for the Medicaid pharmacy subrogation transaction.
Learn More📅Notice of National Research Advisory Council Meeting – 2025
The Department of Veterans Affairs announces a public meeting of the National Research Advisory Council on March 5, 2025. The meeting will focus on advising the Secretary on research policies and programs relevant to Veterans' health care needs, with opportunities for public comments and stakeholder participation.
Learn More🥗WIC Overseas Program Updates
The ASD(HA) is issuing this final rule to revise the definition of drafts, currently defined as paper instruments, within the regulation governing the WIC Overseas Program. This final rule modernizes the definition of drafts to include not only paper instruments but also other methods and processes, including electronic benefit transfers. The rule is being published as a final rule as the change to the definition of drafts involve only a minor, technical amendment to the existing regulation. The Department has determined that notice and comment would be unnecessary and contrary to public interest.
Learn More🎓Post-9/11 VA Educational Assistance Regulations Overview
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulations that govern VA's administration of educational assistance programs to implement the provisions of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010, which modified the manner in which payments of educational assistance are determined and expanded the types of programs students may pursue under the Post-9/11 GI Bill; section 1002 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009, which authorized the "Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship;" and a select number of provisions of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017.
Learn More🏥OSHA Terminates COVID-19 Rulemaking for Healthcare Settings
OSHA is terminating its COVID-19 rulemaking.
Learn More📋AHRQ Evidence Request on Lumbar Spine Surgery Performance
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking scientific information submissions from the public. Scientific information is being solicited to inform our review on The Performance of Fusion Procedures for Degenerative Disease of the Lumbar Spine, which is currently being conducted by the AHRQ's Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC) Program. Access to published and unpublished pertinent scientific information will improve the quality of this review.
Learn More🏥New Rule for Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this interim final rule (IFR) to amend its adjudication regulations to establish presumptive service connection for acute leukemias, chronic leukemias, multiple myelomas, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myelofibrosis due to exposure to Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM<INF>2.5</INF>). The new presumptions would apply to veterans who served on active military, naval, air, or space service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations or Somalia during the Persian Gulf War (hereafter Gulf War) on or after August 2, 1990, and in Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Yemen during the Gulf War on or after September 11, 2001.
Learn More🏥FDA Guidance on Unapproved Medical Product Communications
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the availability of a final guidance for industry entitled "Communications From Firms to Health Care Providers Regarding Scientific Information on Unapproved Uses of Approved/Cleared Medical Products: Questions and Answers." This guidance describes FDA's enforcement policy regarding certain firm-initiated communications of scientific information on unapproved use(s) of the firm's approved/ cleared medical products to health care providers (HCPs) engaged in prescribing or administering medical products to individual patients. This guidance finalizes the revised draft guidance of the same title issued in October 2023. The October 2023 revised draft guidance revised and replaced the draft guidance entitled "Distributing Scientific and Medical Publications on Unapproved New Uses--Recommended Practices," issued in March 2014, which itself revised the final guidance entitled "Good Reprint Practices for the Distribution of Medical Journal Articles and Medical or Scientific Reference Publications on Unapproved New Uses of Approved Drugs and Approved or Cleared Medical Devices," issued in January 2009. This guidance is not for current implementation, pending the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) decision on the collection of information.
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