Editor’s Notes:

✈️ USDOT Fines American Airlines for Tarmac Delays

💊 Medicare Plans to Negotiate Prescription Drug Prices for 10 Drugs

👵🏻 HHS Proposes Staffing Reforms for Nursing Homes

 🔥 Multi-Agency Assistance/Response to Maui Wildfire and Hurricanes

🔋 $15.5B for Electric Vehicle Transition & Workforce

🏭 $350M Grant Announced for Methane Emission Monitoring, Reduction

🚜 USDA Announces $800M for Rural Co-Ops and Utilities

☀️ USDA Awards $266M for Rural Renewable Energy

🧑‍🏭 Treasury Releases Report on Benefits of Labor Unions to the Economy

🔫 DHS: Smuggled Firearm Seizures Headed to Mexico Doubled This Year

💰 HUD: $138M in Disaster Recovery Funding (For Jan-2023 disasters)

🏘️ $128 Million for Tribal Housing Investments

🏫 New Guidance on Race and School Programming

[End of Editor’s Notes]

Find the full press releases on our homepage, updated almost daily:

Health Care

Medicare to Negotiate Prescription Drug Prices

• Medicare will negotiate prescription drug prices due to the Inflation Reduction Act.

• HHS announced first 10 drugs for negotiation under Medicare Part D.

• Negotiations with drug companies set for 2023-2024; new prices effective from 2026.

• Medicare enrollees paid $3.4 billion out-of-pocket in 2022 for the selected drugs.

• Negotiation process will consider clinical benefit, unmet medical need, costs of R&D, and more.

• List of drugs for first negotiation round includes Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, among others.

• Listed drugs account for $50.5 billion or 20% of total Part D gross costs from June 2022 to May 2023.

• Negotiated prices for drugs to be published by September 1, 2024; effective from January 1, 2026.

• CMS plans further negotiations for up to 15 drugs for 2027 and 2028, and up to 20 drugs yearly thereafter.

HHS Proposes Staffing Reforms for Nursing Homes

• HHS introduces national minimum nurse staffing standards.

• Objective: reshape long-term care system.

• CMS proposes specific nurse staffing levels.

• Homes must provide 0.55 hours of nurse care, 2.45 hours of aide care daily.

• 75% of nursing homes need staffing enhancements.

• CMS commits $75 million for nursing careers: scholarships, reimbursements.

• Direct care workers’ wages lag behind other entry-level jobs.

• CMS to increase nursing home staffing data audits.

• HHS-OIG monitors nursing home taxpayer fund expenditures.

HHS Declares Public Health Emergency in Florida, Hurricane Idalia

• U.S. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra declares Public Health Emergency in Florida for Hurricane Idalia.

• Approximately 68 emergency response personnel deployed by ASPR to Florida.

• Action aligns with President Biden’s emergency declaration.

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provided more flexibility to meet emergency health needs.

• Secretary Becerra emphasizes federal support and collaboration with state and local authorities.

• 32 National Disaster Medical System members among those deployed by ASPR.

• A 15-person incident management team and other professionals also deployed in collaboration with FEMA.

• Public health emergency and related flexibilities retroactive to August 27, 2023.

Energy

$15.5B for Electric Vehicle Transition & Workforce

• DOE announces $15.5 billion package for EV transition.

• $2 billion in grants for factory retooling.

• $10 billion in loans for manufacturing conversion projects.

• $3.5 billion for domestic battery manufacturing.

• Domestic Conversion Grant Program emphasizes high wages and collective bargaining.

• Deadlines: Concept papers by October 2, 2023. Full applications by December 7, 2023.

• Granholm emphasizes support for communities transitioning to EVs.

• Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program offers up to $10 billion.

• Emphasis on equity and environmental justice.

• MESC and ATVM to administer respective programs.

EPA and DOE Announce Methane Reduction Funding

• Up to $350 million grant funding announced for methane emission monitoring and reduction.

• Targets oil and gas sector, especially emissions from low-producing wells on non-federal lands.

• U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlights the importance of methane reduction.

• Initial funding part of series targeting methane emission reduction from oil and gas.

• Collaboration with the White House Methane Task Force and U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan.

• States’ application deadline: September 30th, 2023, 5:00pm ET.

• Methane Emissions Reduction Program offers $1.55 billion in total funding.

Agriculture & Rural Development

USDA Announces $800M for Rural Co-Ops and Utilities

• USDA invests $808 million for rural cooperatives and utilities to improve electric infrastructure.

• Funding targets grid reliability, security, clean drinking water, and sanitary wastewater systems.

• Benefits nearly 480,000 people across 36 states and two U.S. territories.

• Funds come from various USDA programs, including the Electric Loan Program and Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant Program.

• $78 million dedicated to the Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan for lead pipe remediation.

USDA Awards $266M for Rural Renewable Energy

• USDA awards $266 million for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.

• Funds aimed at benefiting agriculture producers and rural small businesses.

• Goal: lower energy costs, generate income, and strengthen operation resilience.

• 1,334 projects in 47 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico supported.

• Funds distributed through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

• $1.3 billion available in REAP funding since December 2022.

• Applications accepted until Sept. 30, 2024.

• $144.5 million allocated for underutilized renewable energy technologies.

• Further application details are available on page 19239 of the March 31^st Federal Register.

USDA Prepares for Hurricane Idalia Aftermath

• USDA prepares to provide assistance for post-Hurricane Idalia.

• USDA partnered with FEMA and other disaster-focused organizations and created the Disaster Resource Center.

• USDA provides food safety guidance during power outages.

• Emphasizes prompt damage reporting and accurate record-keeping.

• USDA offers recovery and conservation resources through several programs.

$20M for Research on Forest, Grassland, Watershed Restoration

• USDA’s Forest Service invests $20 million in 30 research studies.

• Studies aim to restore forests, grasslands, and watersheds.

• Collaboration between agency scientists, tribes, academia, and other entities.

• Research to address threats to ecosystems and develop protection strategies.

• Previous funding supported 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy research.

• USDA’s ongoing initiatives include local food production, infrastructure investments, and equity focus.

Interior & Public Lands

Interior Department’s Offshore Wind Energy Auction

• First-ever offshore wind energy auction for Gulf of Mexico held.

• RWE Offshore US Gulf, LLC wins with a $5.6 million bid.

• Lake Charles Lease Area capacity: approximately 1.24 gigawatts.

• Lease Area can power about 435,400 homes.

• Secretary Deb Haaland emphasizes clean energy and job creation.

• Department approved four commercial offshore wind projects.

• Three lease areas offered; only Lake Charles received bid.

• RWE earns credits for workforce training and fisheries mitigation.

DOI Celebrates Hualapai Water Rights Settlement

• Enacted Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2022, resulting from a decade of negotiations.

• Settled Tribe’s water rights claims in Arizona.

• Trust fund established with $312 million for water infrastructure.

• Deputy Secretary Beaudreau emphasizes collaboration’s role, and Assistant Secretary Newland highlights investment in Indian Country.

• Administration has allocated over $3.1 billion for Indian water rights settlements.

• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law contributes $2 billion.

• Indian water rights settlements aim for reliable water supplies, health, economic growth.

Treasury & IRS

U.S. Treasury Releases Report on Benefits of Labor Unions

• Treasury releases comprehensive report on labor unions.

• Report initiated by White House Task Force, chaired by Vice President Harris.

• Unions counter middle-class challenges: wages, housing costs, and mobility.

• Union members’ wages increase by 10-15%.

• Nonunion firms indirectly influenced to raise wages.

• Unions diminish race and gender wage gaps.

• Black men’s union representation at 13% in 2021.

• Unions boost economic growth by reducing inequality.

• 2022 union election petitions at highest since 2015.

Transportation

DOT Fines American Airlines for Tarmac Delays

• DOT fines American Airlines $4.1 million for tarmac delay violations.

• American Airlines violated tarmac delay rules on 43 domestic flights between 2018-2021.

• Investigation showed no exceptions, including safety, applied to these flights.

• One flight did not provide passengers with necessary food and water.

• Majority of delays occurred at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, affecting 5,821 passengers.

• $2.05 million of fine credited for passenger compensation on affected flights.

• New DOT rulemaking proposes transparency on airline fees from the start.

• DOT proposes rule to ensure refunds for significant flight changes, even outside carrier’s control.

Justice & Labor

Department of Labor’s Proposed Rulemaking on OSHA Inspections

• Labor Department proposes rule change for OSHA workplace inspections.

• Employees can authorize representatives for physical workplace inspections.

• Non-employee third party authorization is possible if deemed necessary by a compliance officer.

• Third-party representatives not limited to safety engineers or industrial hygienists.

• Representatives with particular expertise or language skills can aid inspections.

• Occupational Safety and Health Act allows employer or employee representation during inspections.

• Proposed changes don’t affect current regulations on OSHA officers’ authority.

• Public comments accepted until Oct. 30, 2023, Docket Number OSHA-2023-0008.

Georgia Receives Unemployment Insurance Equity Grant

• U.S. Department of Labor awards Georgia over $3 million.

• Equity grants address barriers in accessing unemployment insurance.

• Barriers relate to race, age, language proficiency, disability, location, etc.

• Grant to simplify Georgia’s unemployment application in multiple languages.

• State to establish a mobile unit for those without internet access.

• $260 million made available to states in August 2021.

• Department has given out $219 million to 45 states and D.C. to date.

Homeland Security

DHS Support for Areas Impacted by Hurricane Idalia

• DHS collaborates with federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners for Hurricane Idalia response.

• ICE and CBP declare emergency sites as protected areas; immigration enforcement is minimized at these sites.

• Examples of protected areas include evacuation routes, shelters, and emergency supply distribution sites.

• Upon FEMA or local/state requests, ICE and CBP may assist in search, rescue, and public safety missions.

• All emergency assistance is provided irrespective of immigration status.

• DHS officials won’t pose as emergency responders for enforcement activities.

• DHS ensures aid access for everyone, regardless of immigration status, without discrimination.

DHS Increased Efforts against Firearm Trafficking to Mexico

• DHS and ATF announce firearm seizures in FY 2023 surpass those in FY 2022.

• Increased seizures credited to DHS Operation Without a Trace and ATF Operation Southbound.

• Laredo, Texas: DHS firearm seizures in FY 2023 double those in FY 2022.

• Inter-agency collaboration emphasized as key to preventing weapon flow to criminal cartels.

• Southbound Firearms Trafficking Coordination Meeting held on June 14, 2023, at White House.

• ICE HSI and CBP highlighted for roles in stopping smuggling and screening for illegal weapons.

Public & Affordable Housing

HUD Offers Housing Counseling for Maui Fire Victims

• HUD emphasizes available HUD-certified housing counseling for victims of Maui wildfires.

• Local and national HUD-approved agencies offer onsite and virtual aid.

• Insurance and Banking Assistance Center (IBAC) set to open in Kaanapali, Maui on September 1-2, 2023.

• Individuals and families can consult with:

  • HUD-certified housing counselors.

  • Other housing representatives.

• Services to address immediate housing needs and long-term recovery strategies.

HUD Awards $138M in Disaster Recovery Funding

• HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge allocates $138M in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds.

• Targets disaster recovery in California, Alabama, Georgia.

• Sec. Fudge visited California’s San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, joined by Representatives Aguilar and Carbajal.

• Funds assist recovery from severe storms and floods.

• California’s major disaster: January 14, 2023.

• Alabama’s major disaster: January 15, 2023.

• Georgia’s major disaster: January 12, 2023.

HUD Announces $128 Million for Tribal Housing Investments

• HUD announces 22 awards, totaling $128 million, for Tribal communities’ housing investments.

• Funding targets safe and affordable housing for Tribes.

• Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) funds support construction, rehab, and infrastructure.

• IHBG Competitive funds boost affordable housing options for disadvantaged Tribal families.

• IHBG Competitive grants since 2019 surpass IHBG Formula grants by 67% on average.

• 94% of these grants focused on new housing unit construction.

$113M Available In New HUD Housing Vouchers

• HUD takes two key actions to help families rent affordable homes.

• Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for FY 2024 published, showing average increase of 12% nationally.

• HUD releases an extra $113 million in Housing Choice Vouchers for 9,500 families.

• Vouchers combat rising rent costs, ensuring households compete in rental market.

• FMRs dictate maximum amount Housing Choice Voucher will cover.

• $113 million awarded to 118 high-performing public housing agencies across 36 states.

• Additional funding targets agencies maximizing existing funds for housing families.

• Housing Choice Voucher program adjusts for rising rental costs, ensuring affordability.

• Over 100,000 new housing vouchers have been awarded since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration.

HUD Promotes Affordable Connectivity Program Discounts

• FCC and HUD partner to boost Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) awareness among federal housing assistance recipients.

• Partnership aims to reduce sign-up time for the program and increase outreach.

• This collaboration aligns with the Commission’s efforts to ensure low-income households know about ACP.

• HUD reassures ACP benefits won’t affect the rent of HUD-assisted tenants.

• Streamlined ACP enrollment processes for voucher holders and public housing residents through data-sharing agreements.

HUD Allocates Over $24M to Support Fair Housing Organizations

• HUD assigns $24,195,749.33 from its FY 2023 budget of $56 million.

• 57 fair housing organizations to benefit through the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP).

• Funds primarily target multi-year grantees of Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) for nationwide enforcement.

• Additional support extended to Disability Law Center (PEI) and JC Vision and Associates (FHOI/CDC) using unspent FY 2022 funds.

• Aim: combat housing discrimination and promote inclusive communities.

• Grants support groups enforcing fair housing laws, educating the public, providers, and governments.

• Activities cover investigations, testing for discrimination, filing complaints, education, and outreach.

Education

New Guidance on Race and School Programming

• U.S. Department of Education’s OCR releases Dear Colleague Letter on racial inclusivity.

• Clarifies programs promoting racially inclusive school communities under Title VI.

• Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs.

• Assistant Secretary Catherine E. Lhamon emphasizes preventing race-based discrimination.

• DCL provides hypothetical examples to help schools with Title VI obligations.

• Highlights violations: separating students by race, creating racially hostile environments.

• Title VI allows race-related assemblies, meetings, and focus groups; doesn’t restrict them.

• January 2023 OCR fact sheet confirms consistency of diversity training with Title VI.

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