Department of Health and Human Services April 19, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) gives notice as required by 42 CFR 83.12(e) of a decision to evaluate a petition to designate a class of employees at the Feed Materials Production Center (FMPC), Fernald, Ohio, to be included in the Special Exposure Cohort under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000. The initial proposed definition for the class being evaluated, subject to revision as warranted by the evaluation, is as follows: Facility: Feed Materials Production Center (FMPC), Fernald, Ohio. Location: All locations. Job Titles and/or Job Duties: All employees of the Department of Energy (DOE), DOE contractors and subcontractors. Period of Employment: January 1, 1951 through December 31, 1989.

On February 4, 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued an order to ban immediately the import of all birds (Class: Aves) from specified countries, subject to limited exemptions for returning pet birds of U.S. origin and certain processed bird- derived products. HHS/CDC took this step because birds from these countries potentially can infect humans with avian influenza (influenza A/ [H5N1]). The February 4, 2004, order complemented a similar action taken at the same time by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). On March 10, 2004, HHS/CDC lifted the embargo of birds and bird products from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) because of the documented public-health and animal health measures taken by Hong Kong officials to prevent spread of the outbreak within the HKSAR, and the absence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 cases in Hong Kong's domestic and wild bird populations. USDA/APHIS took a similar action. On September 28, 2004, HHS/CDC extended the embargo on birds and bird products to include Malaysia because of the documented cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 in poultry in Malaysia. On July 20, 2005, USDA/APHIS adopted as a final rule the interim rule that became effective on February 4, 2004, which amended its regulations to prohibit or restrict the importation of birds, poultry, and unprocessed birds and poultry products from regions that have reported the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in poultry. (See 70 FR 41608 [July 20, 2005].) As the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) have confirmed additional cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), USDA/APHIS has added additional countries to its ban. Because of the documentation of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in poultry, HHS/CDC added the following countries to its embargo: Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine on December 29, 2005; Nigeria on February 8, 2006; India on February 22, 2006; Egypt on February 27, 2006; Niger on March 2, 2006; Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, and Burma (Myanmar) on March 15, 2006; Israel on March 20, 2006; Afghanistan on March 21, 2006; and Jordan on March 29, 2006. On April 3, 2006, OIE reported confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in guinea fowl in Burkina Faso. USDA added Burkina Faso to their ban on April 5, 2006. At this time, HHS/CDC is adding Burkina Faso to its current embargo. This action is effective on April 10, 2006, and will remain in effect until further notice.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of the guidance entitled ``The Mammography Quality Standards Act Final Regulations: Modifications and Additions to Policy Guidance Help System 9.'' This guidance document is intended to assist facilities and their personnel in meeting the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) final regulations.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeks nominations of public and private sector organizations to receive the 2006 Secretary's Innovation in Prevention Awards Initiative. This activity is part of a broader Departmental initiative called Steps to a Healthier U.S. that advances President George W. Bush's HealthierUS goal of helping Americans live longer, better and healthier lives. The statutory authority for this health promotion activity is Section 1703 (42 U.S.C. 300u-2) from Title XVII of the Public Health Service Act. The Secretary's Innovation in Prevention Awards Initiative will identify and celebrate outstanding organizations that have implemented innovative and creative chronic disease prevention and health promotion programs. To be nominated, a program must address at least one of the following risk factors: (1) Obesity; (2) Physical activity; and (3) Nutrition. The Department intends that these awards will provide an opportunity to increase public awareness of creative approaches to develop and expand innovative health programs and duplication of successful strategies. Awards will be given in the following categories: Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Health Care Delivery Healthy Workplace Large Employer >500 employees Small Employer

In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Citizens' Health Care Working Group (the Working Group) mandated by section 1014 of the Medicare Modernization Act.