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News and updates

News and updates

COGR Releases Summer Update

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The Council on Government Relations (COGR) has released its summer 2009 update, which details new and proposed federal agency guidelines of interest to the higher education community. Topics discussed include:

  • NIH Stem Cell Guidelines
  • Scientific Integrity
  • IRB Accountability
  • NIH Financial Conflicts of Interest
  • Update on Recovery Act Activities and Issues
     F&A Rate Proposals and Negotiations – Strategies and Expectations
     Audit Implications
     Job Creation and Retention
     Section 1512 Reporting Requirements
     Summary of COGR Comment and Request Letters Addressing ARRA
     Department of Energy Cost Sharing Requirements on ARRA Funding for ARPA-E
     Direct Charging of Research Specialist/Administrative Personnel and 26% Cap
     Direct Charging of Research Specialist/Administrative Personnel – Help Requested
     ARRA and the Potential for Overreach by Federal Officials
  • Other Costing Discussions
  • F&A Limitations and Not-for-Profit Research Foundations
  • President Issues New Memorandum on Classified/Controlled Unclassified Information
  • MTAs Continue to Receive Considerable Attention
  • COGR Joins Other Associations in Statement on Visa Delays
  • Updates on Other CIP Issues
     Status of Patent Reform Legislation Remains Unclear
     NAS Committee on University IP Management and Metrics-Related Activities
     In Re Bilski Case Will be Heard by Supreme Court
     GAO Draft Report on March-In Rights to be Issued Soon
     Export Control Developments
     E-Verify Implementation Delayed Yet Again

COGR Report

This Week on Capitol Hill, June 15-19

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Monday, June 15

·         Senate reconvenes at 1:45pm.  No roll call votes.

·         House reconvenes at 2:00 pm to take up measures under suspension of the rules.

 

Tuesday, June 16

In the Senate:

Senate will be in session.

·         Appropriations Subcommittees hearings for Fiscal Year 2010 on Defense; Energy and Water; Financial Services and General Government; Homeland Security; and Transportation-HUD.

·         Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs  hearing on “Sustainable Development and Economic Growth.”

·         Committee on Energy & Natural Resources full committee markup on Comprehensive Energy Policy.

·         Committee on Finance full committee hearing on “Taxes and Climate Change.”

·         Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions full committee markup of Health Care Overhaul.

·         Committee on Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Cell Phone Text Messaging Rates.”

 

In the House:

House will reconvene at 12:00 pm to consider the conference report on the fiscal 2009 supplemental appropriations bill and several other matters under suspension of the rules.

·         Appropriations Subcommittee markup on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

·         Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Transportation and HUD.

·         Committee on Education and Labor full committee hearing on “Future of Learning.”

·         Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing on “Fish Conservation Legislation.”

·         Committee on Science & Technology Subcommittee markup on Energy and Environment legislation

·         Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee hearing on Water Resources Agencies.

 

Wednesday, June 17

House reconvenes at 10:00 am to consider HR 2847 which would provide fiscal 2010 funding for the departments of Commerce and Justice Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources continues its full committee markup on Comprehensive Energy Policy.

 

Thursday, June 18

In the House:

House will reconvene at 10:00 am to consider a bill that would provide fiscal 2010 funding for the Homeland Security Department.

·         Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing on “Regional Ocean Governance.”

·         Committee on Science & Technology Subcommittee hearing on FY10 budget for NASA.

 

Friday, June 19

In the House:

House may be in session.

·         Appropriations full committee markup on Agriculture.

·         Budget Committee full committee hearing on “Economic Case for Health Overhaul.”

AAU and AAMC Urge Response to Proposed Rule

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The Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) have submitted joint comments (link below) to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on strengthening the regulatory framework governing conflicts of interest in federally funded research. 

The letter responds to a May 8 Advance Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) issued by NIH on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Public Health Service. 

The comment deadline for the NIH notice is July 7.  Institutions are strongly encouraged to submit comments on the ANPRM and to consider using the AAU/AAMC comments in fashioning their responses.  Continue reading “AAU and AAMC Urge Response to Proposed Rule”

Health Care Providers to Receive Help with Student Debt

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[The following is a press release from the Department of Health and Human Services]

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of nearly $200 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to support student loan repayments for primary care medical, dental and mental health clinicians who want to work at National Health Service Corps (NHSC) sites.

The NHSC is now accepting applications for Loan Repayment Awards funded by $200 million ARRA funds. Applications will be accepted continuously until funds are expended or September 30, 2010, whichever comes first.

The NHSC Loan Repayment Program provides $50,000 (or the outstanding balance of qualifying student loans if it is less than $50,000), tax free, to primary care medical, dental and mental health clinicians in exchange for two years of service at an approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Upon completion of the service commitment, clinicians may be eligible to apply for additional support for extended service. Continue reading “Health Care Providers to Receive Help with Student Debt”

House and Senate Announce Health Reform Legislation

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Senate panel announces health reform legislation
Democrats on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions today released health reform legislation, saying they will continue to discuss key outstanding issues, including a public plan option and coverage requirement for employers, with Republicans on the committee. Committee Chairman Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) said the legislation will allow people to keep the coverage they have while providing new, more affordable options; reduce health care costs through stronger prevention, better quality of care and use of information technology; give citizens more information to support prevention; invest in training for doctors, nurses and health professionals and improve care coordination; and enable the elderly and disabled to live at home and function independently. The committee has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday. It plans to begin marking up legislation June 16.

House leaders issue draft health reform proposal
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA) today released a four-page outline of draft health reform legislation. The three committee chairmen, who share jurisdiction over health care issues in the House, announced they will continue to seek input from colleagues, stakeholders and the administration as they craft a final bill, and expect to send legislation to the House floor prior to the August recess. Among other provisions, they said their legislative proposal would establish a health insurance exchange “to create a transparent marketplace for individuals and small employers to comparison shop among private insurers and a new public health insurance option”; introduce administrative simplification and standardization to reduce administrative costs across health plans and providers; invest in the health care workforce, prevention and public health programs; offer sliding-scale credits to ensure affordability for low and middle-income Americans; and establish shared responsibility among individuals, employers and government.