News from July 2012
By Commerce Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: WASHINGTON - In a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said HHS failed to show that it had the legal authority for its $8.3 billion Medicare Advantage quality bonus demonstration program (MA QBP), the largest project ever undertaken by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
By Commerce Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: Next-generation "smart" electrical meters for residential and commercial buildings will have computerized operating systems just as laptops or mobile devices do. On July 10, 2012, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published its first-ever draft guidelines* to help utility companies test their procedures for upgrading meters securely from a remote location.
By DOL Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: The House of Representatives will vote today on legislation to strike down the president’s job-destroying health care law. House Education and the Workforce Committee Republicans spoke in support of private-sector job growth and lower health care costs by urging a “yes" vote on the Repeal of ObamaCare Act (H.R. 6079)...
By Interior Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: Women's Rights National Historical Park hosted a delegation from the United States Department of State on Saturday, June 30, 2012. Three Polish women, all participating in an International Leadership Program, visited the park.
By DOL Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: The House of Representatives will vote today on legislation to strike down the president’s job-destroying health care law. House Education and the Workforce Committee Republicans spoke in support of private-sector job growth and lower health care costs by urging a "yes" vote on the Repeal of ObamaCare Act (H.R. 6079)...
By Interior Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: WEST GLACIER, MONT. - Glacier National Park is requesting public comment on a proposal to construct replacement employee housing in the Swiftcurrent employee housing area at Many Glacier and in the East Glacier Ranger Station compound. This action would replace ten National Park Service (NPS) owned trailers in the St. Mary District employee housing area which are severely deteriorating from age, rodent infestations, mold, and other factors.
By Commerce Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for voting to repeal the President’s $2.6 trillion partisan health law, and urged Democrats in the Senate to allow a vote on the bill as well. Hatch issued the following statement after legislation passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 244-185...
By Commerce Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released the second-round draft version of its updated security standard for identity credentials in the Personal Identity Verification cards (PIV cards) that all federal employees and contractors must use. NIST is requesting comments from the public on the document, which is intended to be the last draft before the final version is published.
By Interior Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: Denali National Park and Preserve is hosting a special free string orchestra concert on Saturday, July 21 at 7:00 pm at the Denali Visitor Center. The concert features Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival's 16-piece string orchestra playing "Denali," a piece inspired by composer Stephen Lias' visit to the...
By USDA Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: A fumigant called phosphine is more effective at controlling insects when it's combined with oxygen, according to findings by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist. The oxygen-phosphine combination could be an environmentally friendly alternative to methyl bromide for combating pests on harvested fruits and vegetables.
By Commerce Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: JILA, a Colorado laboratory known around the world for creating new states of matter and novel laser designs and applications, turns 50 this year and will receive a gratifying anniversary present-designation as an American Physical Society (APS) historic site.
By USDA Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: “Good morning. Thank you Chairman Lucas; I am pleased that we are finally meeting to consider the 2012 Farm Bill.
By Commerce Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a guide to help improve the design of electronic health records for pediatric patients so that the design focus is on the users-the doctors, nurses and other clinicians who treat children.
By Interior Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: For the first time ever, Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island has extended its summer hours which means that guests can now plan a late afternoon departure without having to choose between the islands, giving visitors more flexibility in organizing their trip.
By Commerce Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, today slammed Senate Democrats for blocking Senate consideration of both President Obama’s small business tax hike plan and a Hatch amendment to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax relief for one year.
By Interior Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: High up in the canopy of ancient redwood forest, one of the world's rarest seabirds, the marbled murrelet, shares its ethereal home with an entire ecosystem of plants and wildlife thriving hundreds of feet above ground. This week's National Park Getaway travels to California's northwest coast to soak in this splendor of towering trees and majestic overloooks.
By Commerce Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: WASHINGTON - “Expect the cost of doing business to increase," “negative for future employment, “consider not paying," “a very bad situation," and “fewer jobs" is how American small businesses - engines of job creation and economic growth - are talking about the over $675 billion in tax increases, burdensome red tape, and mandates included in the President’s $2.6 trillion health spending law.
By Commerce Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C., July 11, 2012 - The House Natural Resources Committee today approved by unanimous consent H.R. 5987, a bipartisan bill introduced by Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) and Congressman Ben Lujan (NM-03) to establish a Manhattan Project...
By Commerce Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a proposed update to its guidelines for securing mobile devices-such as smart phones and tablets-that are used by the federal government. NIST is asking for public comment on the draft document.
By Interior Newswire | Jul 11, 2012
News Release: Over the past two weeks Palo Alto Battlefield NHP was transformed into a mini recording studio as Cadette Girl Scouts completed their MEdia Journey. These young reporters toured the park and interviewed a variety of park rangers. The Scouts producers then wrote scripts, filmed shots, edited, and produced a promo video. Sandra MacGarrough, a teacher in the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program, was their director throughout their Journey.
