Energy Policy and New Uses Office, Agriculture Department September 11, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is hereby giving notice that a meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (the Advisory Council) is scheduled for September 29, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. The meeting will be open to the public; a public comment session will be held during the meeting. Pre-registration is required for members of the public who wish to attend the meeting and who wish to participate in the public comment session. Individuals who wish to attend the meeting and/or send in their public comment via email should email CARB@hhs.gov. Registration information is available on the Web site https:// www.hhs.gov/ash/ carb/ and must be completed by September 21, 2015; all in-person attendees must pre-register by this date. Additional information about registering for the meeting and providing public comment can be obtained at https://www.hhs.gov/ash/carb/.

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program, at the direction of the Administrator, conducted a review of published studies regarding potential evidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute traumatic injury among individuals who were responders to or survivors of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Administrator of the WTC Health Program found that these studies provided substantial support for a causal relationship between the health conditions and 9/11 exposures. As a result, the Administrator has determined to publish a proposed rule to add new- onset COPD and to add acute traumatic injury to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions eligible for treatment coverage in the WTC Health Program.