Department of Health and Human Services July 1, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) is planning a Women's Health Consensus Conference (WHCC) in October 2021, in response to a Congressional request to address NIH research efforts related to women's health research as well as the following specific conditions, rising maternal morbidity and mortality rates, increasing rates of chronic debilitating conditions in women, and stagnant cervical cancer survival rates. The ORWH is seeking comments and testimonies from the extramural scientific community, professional societies, and the general public regarding the topics mentioned above to assist with identifying research gaps, pitfalls in clinical practices, and obtaining real-life testimonial experiences (direct or indirect) caused by any or all of the listed public health issues.

The invention listed below is owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and is available for licensing to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patent applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for companies and may also be available for licensing.

The Office of the Secretary has extended the application period for accepting application submissions from qualified individuals who wish to be considered for membership on the National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters (NACIDD). Up to seven new voting members with expertise disability accessibility, medical disaster planning, preparedness, response, or recovery will be selected for the Committee. Please visit the NACIDD website at www.phe.gov/nacidd for all application submission information and instructions. Application submissions will be accepted until July 12, 2021.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notifies federal agencies of the laboratories and Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) currently certified to meet the standards of the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs using Urine or Oral Fluid (Mandatory Guidelines).

In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, is publishing the following summary of a proposed collection for public comment.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information (including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information) and to allow 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding our burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the CDC announces the following meeting for the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). This virtual meeting is open to the public, limited only by audio and web conference lines (300 audio and web conference lines are available). Registration is required. To register for this web conference, please go to: www.cdc.gov/hicpac. All registered participants will receive the meeting link and instructions shortly before the meeting.

This proposed rule sets forth proposed revised 2022 user fee rates for issuers offering qualified health plans (QHPs) through Federally-facilitated Exchanges (FFEs) and State-based Exchanges on the Federal platform (SBE-FPs); proposes repeal of separate billing requirements related to the collection of separate payments for the portion of QHP premiums attributable to coverage for certain abortion services; proposes to expand the annual open enrollment period and Navigator duties; proposes a new monthly special enrollment period for qualified individuals or enrollees, or the dependents of a qualified individual or enrollee, who are eligible for advance payments of the premium tax credit (APTC) and whose household income does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL); proposes to repeal the recent establishment of a Direct Enrollment option for Exchanges; and proposes to modify regulations and policies related to section 1332 waivers.