Public Policy Updates

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. rescinded the long-standing policy of allowing public input to proposed regulations. The “notice and comment” process of rulemaking is mandated under the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 (APA) to encourage input from the public and subject matter experts in developing regulations. Secretary Kennedy has determined that all HHS regulations … Continued

The CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and the public about a recently confirmed outbreak of Ebola in Uganda. Currently, no suspected or confirmed Ebola cases related to this outbreak have been reported in the U.S., or outside of Uganda. However, as a precaution and because there are other viral … Continued

CMS invoked the Extraordinary Circumstance Exception (ECE) to grant exceptions to certain quality reporting requirements to facilities in areas recently impacted by natural disasters. The exemptions include facilities in Los Angeles County, California impacted by wildfires and in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee impacted by Hurricane Helene. Read the CMS ECE reference guide. If you … Continued

Several news sources reported that the Trump administration has ordered a freeze on federal health agency communications with the public pending administration review. This includes regulations, guidance, announcements, press releases, social media posts, and website posts from agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, including the CDC, FDA, and NIH. Sources say the … Continued

On his first day back in office, President Trump announced plans to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO). The action includes notifying WHO leadership of the U.S. intent to withdraw; pausing the future transfer of U.S. funds, support, or resources to the WHO; and recalling U.S. government personnel or contractors working in … Continued

Among the dozens of executive actions issued by the Trump Administration since Inauguration Day are some that may impact federal agencies, councils, and regulations with a role in healthcare policy. These include implementing a freeze on new regulations until they are approved by an agency head appointed by President Trump, replacing career (nonpolitical) civil service … Continued

The CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to clinicians and laboratories recommending a shortened timeline for subtyping all influenza A specimens among hospitalized patients and increasing efforts at clinical laboratories to identify non-seasonal influenza. The updated recommendation is due to sporadic human infections with avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses amid high levels of … Continued

OSHA announced the termination of the COVID-19 Healthcare rulemaking, first published as an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on June 21, 2021. The agency will continue to focus on completion of an Infectious Diseases Standard. Read more.

OSHA has published an updated Part 1904 Recordkeeping Policies and Procedures Directive (CPL 02-00-172), effective January 13, 2025. Read the updated directive. Visit the OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements webpage.