Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program

Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program: "During this fiscal year, the Federal Government won or negotiated approximately $1.47 billion in judgments and settlements, and it attained additional administrative impositions in health care fraud cases and proceedings. The Medicare Trust Fund received transfers of nearly $1.55 billion during this period as a result of these efforts, as well as those of preceding years, in addition to $63.64 million in federal Medicaid money similarly transferred to CMS as a result of these efforts."

Bicycle Saddles and Reproductive Health - Potential Health Effects of Prolonged Bicycling

Bicycle Saddles and Reproductive Health - Potential Health Effects of Prolonged Bicycling: "Over the last several years, NIOSH researchers have investigated the potential health effects of prolonged bicycling in police bicycle patrol units, including the possibility that some bicycle saddles exert excessive pressure on the urogenital area of cyclists, restricting blood flow to the genitals. "

IRS Seeks Enrolled Agents - Testing Begins October 5th

IRS Seeks Enrolled Agents - Testing Begins October 5th: "The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the new version of the 2006 IRS Special Enrollment Examination (SEE) is ready. The test, required for those who want to become Enrolled Agents, has been substantially revised and is being offered more often and in more places than in the past. The first testing window begins October 5, 2006."

Maine Earthquake Lowers Ground Water- Water in Monitoring Well Still Dropping

Maine Earthquake Lowers Ground Water- Water in Monitoring Well Still Dropping: "A minor earthquake that shook Maine Oct. 2 at 8:07 pm caused the water level in a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitoring well to drop more than 2 ½ feet. Nearly 17 hours later, the groundwater level was still dropping, according to scientists at the USGS Maine Water Science Center in Augusta. Hydrologists call the change in the well “dramatic,” and note that well-water users could notice changes in their drinking water. USGS hydrologists will continue to monitor this well several times per day. "

Window Coverings Pose Strangulation Hazards to Children

Window Coverings Pose Strangulation Hazards to Children: "October is Window Covering Safety Month and CPSC, the Window Covering Safety Council and independent retailers have joined forces to urge consumers to repair or replace window coverings purchased before 2001"

Two Weeks Left To Apply For Disaster Assistance

Two Weeks Left To Apply For Disaster Assistance: "El PASO, Texas -- The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is quickly approaching. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging those affected by the storms or flooding from July 27, to August 25, 2006 to register for assistance by October 16, 2006."

2007 Biometrics Technologies Grant

2007 Biometrics Technologies Grant: "NIJ solicits proposals to inform its search for the knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice. NIJ is seeking applications for funding the development and evaluation of biometric technologies, or novel applications of biometric technologies, that will (1) reduce crime, (2) enhance law enforcement and corrections officers’ ability to correctly identify cooperative and non-cooperative individuals, and (3) fix the identity of individuals in the justice system.

Link to Full Announcement"

Grant Opportunity: Detroit Lions Charities Health and Education Grants

Grant Opportunity: Detroit Lions Charities Health and Education Grants: "Detroit Lions Charities is accepting applications for its Health and Education Grants program to benefit children. Eligible applicants include public, tax-exempt charities that benefit the children in the Michigan area."

HHS Partners With States On Long-Term Care Education Efforts

HHS Partners With States On Long-Term Care Education Efforts: "The Department of Health and Human Services has announced a partnership with six states that would help Americans take an active role in planning ahead for their future long-term care needs.
Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Texas were chosen to participate in the next round of HHS’ “Own Your Future' campaign, an aggressive education and outreach effort designed to promote long-term care planning among state residents. These six states were selected from 16 applications received in response to HHS’ invitation for proposals."

Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 8-14

Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 8-14: "National Wildlife Refuge Week features scores of festivals and special events that help connect people with nature at the country's 545 national wildlife refuges. The 11th consecutive National Wildlife Refuge Week will be celebrated this year October 8-14. "

Methamphetamine Use Varies Widely Across States and Remains Highest Among Young Adults

Methamphetamine Use Varies Widely Across States and Remains Highest Among Young Adults: "A new study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) continues to show that individuals in the 18-25 age group are the most likely to be using methamphetamine. The NSDUH Report: State Estimates of Past Year Methamphetamine Use is based on data combined from the last four years of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The combined data from more than 250,000 people who were surveyed for this report give a more detailed picture of who is using the drug than in previous SAMHSA reports and marks the first time that SAMHSA has provided data by age groups within states for methamphetamine use. "

Additional Toyota and Lexus Vehicles Certified for the Energy Tax Credit

Additional Toyota and Lexus Vehicles Certified for the Energy Tax Credit: "The Internal Revenue Service acknowledged the certification by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., that several of their hybrid Model Year 2007 vehicles qualify for the hybrid tax credit enacted by the Energy Policy Act of 2005"

Update: MEDICARE 101

Update: MEDICARE 101: "This tutorial provides a concise overview of Medicare, including the latest information on financing and spending, the new drug benefit, and discussion of major policy issues"

Just Released: Youth Exposure to Alcohol Advertising on Radio --- United States, June--August 2004

Just Released: Youth Exposure to Alcohol Advertising on Radio --- United States, June--August 2004 In the United States, more underage youth drink alcohol than smoke tobacco or use illicit drugs . Excessive alcohol consumption leads to many adverse health and social consequences and results in approximately 4,500 deaths among underage youth each year . Recent studies have emphasized the contribution of alcohol marketing to underage drinking and have demonstrated that a substantial proportion of alcohol advertising appears in media for which the audience composition is youth-oriented (i.e., composed disproportionately of persons aged 12--20 years).

Internet Domain Names: ICANN Joint Project Agreement on the Coordination of Internet Domain Name and Addressing System

Internet Domain Names: ICANN Joint Project Agreement on the Coordination of Internet Domain Name and Addressing System: "The Commerce Department today announced it has signed a Joint Project Agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to continue the transition of the coordination of the technical functions relating to the management of the Internet Domain Name and Addressing System to the private sector. It focuses on institutionalizing transparency and accountability mechanisms in the management of the Internet domain name and addressing system. "

Disability Discrimination : Justice Department Settles Allegations of Disability Discrimination

Disability Discrimination : Justice Department Settles Allegations of Disability Discrimination: "The Justice Department today settled a lawsuit against 10 Austin, Texas developers, builders, architects, and engineers alleging disability discrimination in the design and construction of two housing developments in Austin. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, was brought to enforce provisions of the federal Fair Housing Act that require recently constructed dwellings to include features designed to make the dwellings more accessible to persons with physical disabilities."

CMS Seeks Additional Medicare Administrative Contractors

CMS Seeks Additional Medicare Administrative Contractors: "The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for new Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) that will streamline the processes to pay Medicare claims and answer providers’ questions about Medicare payments for services."

Understanding Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Understanding Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): "Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a form of communication that allows you to make phone calls over a broadband internet connection instead of typical analog telephone lines. Basic VoIP access usually allows you to call others who are also receiving calls over the internet. Interconnected VoIP services also allow you to make and receive calls to and from traditional landline numbers, usually for a service fee."

FDIC Consumer Alert: Phishing e-mail Attempt

FDIC Consumer Alert: Phishing E-mail Attempt: "The FDIC has received reports by businesses and consumers of a phishing e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The fraudulent e-mails appear in 'memo format,' on FDIC Office of the Inspector General (OIG) letterhead, and is purportedly from 'Russell A. Rau, Assistant Inspector General for Audits.' The memo includes the recipient's name and address in the 'To' line. The 'Subject' line states, 'Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection's Risk-Focused Compliance Examination Process for [name inserted] (Report No. 05-038).' Note: The fraudulent e-mail use some genuine language obtained from an actual OIG audit report."

U.S. Grants Assist Community Development and Promote Democracy in Ethiopia

U.S. Grants Assist Community Development and Promote Democracy in Ethiopia: "For 70% of the children living in the rural Mella-Qawusa district of Gama Gofa Zone, the possibility of walking four hours to and from school was about as likely as regular rainfall in this drought-prone region. The children often do not have the stamina to make the difficult journey, and even if distance weren’t a factor, fetching water for their family and herding livestock are the first priorities."