Public comment on Home and Community Based Services

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would revise the regulations implementing Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) under section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act. There are several proposed changes including the following:

· Requirement for person-centered planning

· Characteristics of home and community based settings

· Options for States to combine target groups into a single waiver

· Clarification of timing and public input requirements for amendments.

Please take a few minutes and comment on this important proposed rule.

Click the following link to view the proposed rule and make a comments:

http://www.hhs.gov/od/community/public/index.html

COMMENTS ARE DUE 5:00 PM EST JUNE 14, 2011



Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Eligibility,

This proposed rule would implement provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) affecting the eligibility, benefits, certification, and employment and training (E&T) requirements for applicant or participant households in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The rule would amend the SNAP regulations to:

• Exclude military combat pay from the income of SNAP households;
• raise the minimum standard deduction and the minimum benefit for small households;
• eliminate the cap on the deduction for dependent care expenses;
• index resource limits to inflation;
• exclude retirement and education accounts from countable resources;
• permit States to expand the use of simplified reporting; permit States to provide transitional benefits to households leaving State-funded cash assistance programs;
• allow States to establish telephonic signature systems;
• permit States to use E&T funds to provide post-employment job retention services; and
• limit the E&T funding cycle to 15 months.

These provisions are intended to increase SNAP benefit levels for certain participants, reduce barriers to participation, and promote efficiency in the administration of the program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 5, 2011.

Full Federal Register Notice

American Community Survey - Comment Request

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

Abstract

Given the rapid demographic changes experienced in recent years and the strong expectation that such changes will continue and accelerate, the once-a-decade detailed data collection as part of a decennial census is no longer acceptable for producing much of the data required by the Federal government, states, municipalities, and tribal governments. To meet the needs and expectations of the country, the Census Bureau developed the American Community Survey (ACS). This survey collects detailed population and housing data every month and provides tabulations of these data on a yearly basis. In the past, the long-form data were collected only at the time of each decennial census. After years of development and testing, the ACS began full implementation in households in January 2005 and in group quarters (GQs) in January 2006.

Collecting long-form data during the decade through the ACS has had a profound effect on the census design plan. The collection of long- form data had added substantial burden and complexity to past decennial censuses. Implementing the ACS means that the Decennial Census can focus on its constitutional mandate to accurately count the population to apportion the House of Representatives. The ACS--supported by a complete and accurate address system--has simplified the census design, resulting in improvements in both coverage and data quality, while providing current data on detailed population, social, economic, and housing characteristics.

The ACS provides more timely information for critical economic planning by governments and the private sector. In the current information-based economy, federal, state, tribal, and local decision makers, as well as private business and non-governmental organizations, need current, reliable, and comparable socioeconomic data to chart the future. In 2006, the ACS began publishing up-to-date profiles of American communities every year, providing policymakers, planners, and service providers in the public and private sectors this information every year--not just every ten years.

The ACS released estimates of population and housing characteristics for geographic areas of all sizes in December 2010. These data products, used by federal agencies and others, are similar in scope to the Summary File 3 tables from Census 2000. The 2010 Census did not include these detailed characteristics, leaving the ACS as the source of data for uses previously associated with the decennial census long form.

The Census Bureau presently plans to resubmit the ACS to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for extended clearance. The current ACS content has been reviewed by the Census Bureau, in conjunction with Federal agency stakeholders, to determine potential areas for improved item response and/or data quality.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on or before May 9, 2011.


ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to James Treat, U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Office, Washington, DC 20233, by FAX to (301) 763-8070 or via the Internet at james.b.treat@census.gov.

Full Announcement 

Legal Services Corporation Eligibility Rule Change

The Legal Services Corporation (‘‘Corporation’’) is required by law to establish maximum income levels for individuals eligible for legal assistance. This document updates the specified income levels to reflect the annual amendments to the Federal Poverty Guidelines as issued by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Effective Date: This rule is effective as of January 31, 2011.
Complete Federal Register Notice

Loan Guaranty: Assistance to Eligible Individuals in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing

Image via WikipediaVeterans and servicemembers with severe disabilities may be eligible under 38 U.S.C. chapter 21 for specially adapted housing (SAH) grants. In administering the SAH program, VA helps these eligible individuals to purchase, construct, or adapt a home that suits the individual's living needs. In a document published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2009 (74 FR 51103), VA proposed to amend regulations in 38 CFR part 36, subpart C, regarding assistance to certain disabled veterans in acquiring SAH, specifically Sec. Sec. 36.4400 through 36.4410, which implement the SAH grant program.

As explained in the proposed rule, VA is amending these regulations for three reasons.

• First, VA believes the regulations should be written in a reader-focused style. 
• Second, detailed guidance about program policies and a regulation written with an easy-to-follow organizational structure will help applicants and eligible individuals (and those acting on their behalf) understand program requirements.
• Third, substantive changes are necessary to implement recent legislation, policy decisions, and a VA General Counsel legal opinion. 

Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2101(d), the Secretary may prescribe regulations applicable to the SAH program. In revising these regulations, VA intends that applicants, eligible individuals, program participants, and other interested parties will be better informed about the legal requirements and Department policies that guide the administration of SAH grants.

Final Rule

Workshop Regarding Accountable Care Organizations, and Implications Regarding Antitrust, Physician Self- Referral, Anti-Kickback, and Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) Laws

This notice announces a public workshop hosted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

This workshop will include panel discussions and a listening session on certain legal issues related to Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Physicians, physician associations, hospitals, health systems, consumers, and all others interested in ACOs are invited to participate, in person or by calling into the teleconference.

The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to space and teleconference lines available. An agenda will be posted on the CMS Web site at http://www.cms.gov/center/ physician.asp prior to the session.

DATES: Meeting Date: The public workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (E.D.T.).


Full Announcement

Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans-Notice of Meeting

Image via WikipediaPursuant to the authority contained in Section 512 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. 1142, the 153rd open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans will be held on October 4, 2010. The meeting will take place in C5515--Room 3, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210. Public access is available only in this room (i.e. not by telephone). The meeting will run from 12 p.m. to approximately 5 p.m.
The purpose of the open meeting is to discuss reports/recommendations for the Secretary of Labor on the issues of

(1) Healthcare Literacy,
(2) Disparities for Women and Minorities in Retirement, and
(3) Employee Benefit Plan Auditing and Financial Reporting Models.

Descriptions of these topics are available on the Advisory Council page of the EBSA web site at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/aboutebsa/erisa_advisory_council.html.
Full Meeting Notice

Medicaid Program-Review and Approval Process for Section 1115 Demonstrations

This proposed rule would implement provisions of section 10201(i) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Affordable Care Act) that set forth transparency and public notice procedures for experimental, pilot, and demonstration projects approved under section 1115 of the Social Security Act relating to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This proposed rule would increase the degree to which information about Medicaid and CHIP demonstration applications and approved demonstration projects are publicly available and promote greater transparency in the review and approval of demonstrations. It would also codify existing statutory requirements pertaining to tribal consultation for section 1115 demonstration projects.

DATES: To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on November 16, 2010.
Full Notice

Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Legal Services Corporation Assistance

The Legal Services Corporation (``Corporation'') is required by law to establish maximum income levels for individuals eligible for legal assistance. This document updates the specified income levels to reflect the annual amendments to the Federal Poverty Guidelines as issued by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Effective Date: This rule is effective as of August 6, 2010.

Final Rule

Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Nominations for Vacancies

Section 512 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), 88 Stat. 895, 29 U.S.C. 1142, provides for the establishment of an Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans (the Council), which is to consist of 15 members to be appointed by the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) as follows: three representatives of employee organizations (at least one of whom shall be a representative of an organization whose members are participants in a multiemployer plan); three representatives of employers (at least one of whom shall be a representative of employers maintaining or contributing to multiemployer plans); one representative each from the fields of insurance, corporate trust, actuarial counseling, investment counseling, investment management, and accounting; and three representatives from the general public (one of whom shall be a person representing those receiving benefits from a pension plan). No more than eight members of the Council shall be members of the same political party.

Members shall be persons qualified to appraise the programs instituted under ERISA. Appointments are for terms of three years. The prescribed duties of the Council are to advise the Secretary with respect to the carrying out of his or her functions under ERISA, and to submit to the Secretary, or his or her designee, recommendations with respect thereto.

The Council will meet at least four times each year. The terms of five members of the Council expire on November 14, 2010. The groups or fields they represent are as follows:

(1) Employee organizations (representing an organization whose members are participants in a multiemployer plan);

(2) employers (representing employers maintaining or contributing to multiemployer plans);

(3) accounting;

(4) insurance; and

(5) the general public.

The Department of Labor is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse ERISA Advisory Council. Accordingly, notice is hereby given that any person or organization desiring to recommend one or more individuals for appointment to the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, to represent any of the groups or fields specified in the preceding paragraph, may submit recommendations to Larry Good, ERISA Advisory Council Executive Secretary, Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Suite N-5623, Washington, DC 20210, or to good.larry@dol.gov.

Recommendations must be submitted on or before September 17, 2010. Recommendations may be in the form of a letter, resolution or petition, signed by the person making the recommendation or, in the case of a recommendation by an organization, by an authorized representative of the organization. Recommendations should include the position for which the nominee is recommended and the nominee's full name, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address. The recommendation also must state that the candidate will accept appointment to the Council if offered. Nominees will be contacted to provide information on their political affiliation and their status as registered lobbyists. Nominees should be aware of the time commitment for attending meetings and actively participating in the work of the Council. Historically, this has meant a commitment of 15-20 days per year.

FR Doc 2010-18897

``Add Us In'' Program

AGENCY: Office of Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor. Announcement

Type: New Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Applications. The full announcement is posted on http://www.grants.gov.

Funding Opportunity Number: SGA 10-05.

Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications is September 1, 2010 via http://www.grants.gov. Funding Opportunity Description: The U.S. Department of Labor (``DOL'' or ``Department''), Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announces the availability of approximately $2.3 million to fund up to four cooperative agreements with consortia ranging from $500,000 to $625,000.

The objectives of this new initiative, Add Us In, are:
(1) To increase the ability of targeted businesses to employ adults and youth with disabilities;
(2) to develop and evaluate replicable models, strategies and policies that would ensure that youth and adults from targeted populations with disabilities have access to a broader range of employment and mentoring opportunities; and
(3) to form and strengthen connections between targeted businesses, diversity-serving organizations, youth-serving organizations and disability-serving organizations, building a national and local network of experts skilled in serving individuals with disabilities.

These objectives will be accomplished through the competitive funding of consortia tasked to design, implement, and evaluate innovative systems models that support integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities within targeted businesses.

For the purposes of this solicitation, the target population consists of members of the following groups: African American, Asian American (including Asian Americans of West Asian decent, e.g., India, and Asian Americans of East Asian decent, e.g., Japan and Korea), Latino or Hispanic American, federally recognized Tribes and Native American communities (including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Native Pacific Islanders (including American Samoan Natives)), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) individuals, and women.

A targeted business is a for-profit enterprise such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or joint venture of any kind, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories which is at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled on a daily basis by a United States citizen (or citizens) who are members of a target population.

The full Solicitation for Grant Application is posted on http:// www.grants.gov under U.S. Department of Labor/ODEP. Applications submitted through http://www.grants.govor hard copy will be accepted. If you need to speak to a person concerning these grants, you may telephone Cassandra Mitchell at 202-693-4570 (not a toll-free number). If you have issues regarding access to the http://www.grants.gov Web site, you may telephone the Contact Center Phone at 1-800-518-4726.
FR Doc 2010-18762

Life-Changing Events Affecting Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts to Medicare Part B Premiums

Amendments to Regulations Regarding Major Life-Changing Events Affecting Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts to Medicare Part B Premiums

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

SUMMARY: SSA is modifying its regulations to clarify and revise what it considers major life-changing events for the Medicare Part B income- related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) and what evidence is required to support a claim of a major life-changing event. Recent changes in the economy and other unforeseen events have had a significant effect on many Medicare Part B beneficiaries. The changes we are making in this interim final rule will allow SSA to respond appropriately to circumstances brought about by the current economic climate and other unforeseen events, as described below.

DATES:
Effective Date: This interim rule will be effective July 15, 2010.
Comment Date: To ensure that your comments are considered, we must receive them no later than September 13, 2010.

ADDRESSES:
You may submit comments by any one of three methods-- Internet, fax, or mail. Do not submit the same comments multiple times or by more than one method. Regardless of which method you choose, please state that your comments refer to Docket No. SSA-2009-0078 so that we may associate your comments with the correct regulation. Caution: You should be careful to include in your comments only information that you wish to make publicly available. We strongly urge you not to include in your comments any personal information such as Social Security numbers or medical information.

1. Internet: We strongly recommend that you submit your comments via the Internet. Please visit the Federal eRulemaking portal at http:/ /www.regulations.gov. Use the Search function to find docket number SSA-2009-0078. The system will issue a tracking number to confirm your submission. You will not be able to view your comment immediately because we must post each comment manually. It may take up to a week for your comment to be viewable.

2. Fax: Fax comments to (410) 966-2830.

3. Mail: Mail your comments to the Office of Regulations, Social Security Administration, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401.
Read Complete Notice

Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits

SUMMARY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans prescribes interest assumptions for valuing and paying certain benefits under terminating single-employer plans. This final rule amends the benefit payments regulation to adopt interest assumptions for plans with valuation dates in August 2010. Interest assumptions are also published on PBGC's Web site (http://www.pbgc.gov).

DATES: Effective August 1, 2010.

Additional Information

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Proposed Rule: Civil Money Penalties for Nursing Homes

This proposed rule would revise and expand current Medicare and Medicaid regulations regarding the imposition and collection of civil money penalties by CMS when nursing homes are not in compliance with Federal participation requirements in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.

DATES: To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. EST on August 11,2010.

Read/Download Complete Notice

HHS Seeking Nominations for Workforce Advisory Panel by June 18, 2010

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In the June 16 Federal Register, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it is establishing and seeking nominations for  a new Personal Care Attendants Workforce Advisory Panel, under the Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) Act.

The Advisory Panel will be comprised of 15 members appointed by the Secretary of HHS from among members of the general public who are individuals who have distinguished themselves in the fields of long-term services and supports; aging and disability populations and services; practices that help reduce high personal care attendant workforce vacancy and turnover rates; Medicaid; Medicare, the Older Americans Act and the Workforce Investment Systems; community residential services; and policy analysis and development related to the financing, access, provision and quality of health care services.

Each member of the Advisory Panel shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.

Nominations shall be submitted by no later than June 18, 2010 to:
    Margaret Reiser,
    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
    200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Room 415F,
    Washington D.C., 20201,

    Phone (202) 690-7858,
    Fax (202) 690-7383.

For more information about the Personal Care Attendants Workforce Advisory Panel, please see the Federal Register link below:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-14447.pdf

  

IHS: Elder Care Initiative Long-Term Care Grant Program

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Indian Health Service

Office of Clinical and Preventive Services; Elder Care Initiative Long-Term Care Grant Program

Announcement Type: New.
Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2010-IHS-EHC-0001.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.933.

Key Dates

Letter of Intent Deadline Date: May 10, 2010.
Application Deadline Date: June 4, 2010.
Review Dates: June 22-24, 2010.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: August 1, 2010.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces the availability of up to $600,000 for competitive grants through the Elder Care Initiative Long- Term Care (ECILTC) Grant Program to support planning and implementation of sustainable long-term care services for American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/AN) elders. This program is authorized under the Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 1652, 25 U.S.C. 1653(c), and the Public Health Service Act, Section 301, as amended. This program is described at 93.933 in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA).

Full Announcement

Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010

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Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview Information; Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 84.129 B, C, E, F, H, J, P, Q, R, and W.

This notice invites applications for 10 separate competitions. For funding information regarding each of the 10 competitions, refer to the chart under Award Information in section II of this notice.

Applications Available: April 23, 2010.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 7, 2010.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 6, 2010.
Full Text of Announcement

Final Rule: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Waiver of Disapproval of Nurse Aide Training Program in Certain Cases

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SUMMARY: This final rule will permit a waiver of a nurse aide training disapproval as it applies to skilled nursing facilities, in the Medicare program, and nursing facilities, in the Medicaid program, that are assessed a civil money penalty of at least $5,000 for noncompliance that is not related to quality of care. This is a statutory provision enacted by section 932 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108-173, enacted December 8, 2003).

Effective Date: These regulations are effective on May 24, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Miller, (410) 786-6780.
Additional Information and Full Text of Rule

Department of Transportation Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda

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The regulatory agenda is a semiannual summary of all current and projected rulemakings, reviews of existing regulations, and completed actions of the Department. The agenda provides the public with information about the Department of Transportation's regulatory activity. It is expected that this information will enable the public to be more aware of and allow it to more effectively participate in the Department's regulatory activity. The public is also invited to submit comments on any aspect of this agenda.

Improvement of our regulations is a prime goal of the Department of Transportation (Department or DOT). There should be no more regulations than necessary, and those that are issued should be simpler, more comprehensible, and less burdensome. Regulations should not be issued without appropriate involvement of the public; once issued, they should be periodically reviewed and revised, as needed, to assure that they continue to meet the needs for which they originally were designed. To view additional information about the Department of Transportation's regulatory activities online, go to http://regs.dot.gov.

Department of Labor Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda

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This document sets forth the Department's semiannual agenda of regulations that have been selected for review or development during the coming year. The Department's agencies have carefully assessed their available resources and what they can accomplish in the next 12 months and have adjusted their agendas accordingly.

The agenda complies with the requirements of both Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The agenda lists all regulations that are expected to be under review or development between April 2010 and April 2011, as well as those completed during the past 6 months.