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Federal Crop Insurance Program Support for Natural Disasters [September 13, 2021]
From the Document: "Natural disasters--events such as severe droughts, floods, and storms--can cause crop and animal production losses as well as other physical and financial losses for farm operations. The Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) offers farmers the opportunity to purchase insurance against financial losses caused by certain adverse growing and market conditions. By insuring against adverse growing conditions, FCIP policies may also indemnify farmers for financial losses caused by certain natural disaster events. The extent to which the FCIP indemnifies farmers for losses related to natural disasters depends on the type of disaster, the type of FCIP policy purchased, and the level of coverage selected by the producer."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rosch, Stephanie
2021-09-13
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Provisions Related to Universal Paid Family and Medical Leave Developed by the House Committee on Ways and Means in Response to Reconciliation Directives [September 13, 2021]
From the Document: "The reconciliation language developed by the House Ways and Means Committee in response to reconciliation directives included in S.Con.Res. 14 includes provisions related to universal paid family and medical leave. The reconciliation language, often referred to as the Build Back Better Act, proposes a new federal cash benefit for eligible individuals engaged in certain types of family and medical caregiving (including self-care). The reconciliation language would amend the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. [United States Code] 301 et seq.) by adding Title XXII: Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Donovan, Sarah A.; Huston, Barry F.
2021-09-13
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Russia's Nuclear Weapons: Doctrine, Forces, and Modernization [Updated September 13, 2021]
From the Document: "Russia's nuclear forces consist of both long-range, strategic systems--including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs),submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and heavy bombers--and shorter- and medium-range delivery systems. Russia is modernizing its nuclear forces, replacing Soviet-era systems with new missiles, submarines and aircraft while developing new types of delivery systems. Although Russia's number of nuclear weapons has declined sharply since the end of Cold War, it retains a stockpile of thousands of warheads, with more than 1,500 warheads deployed on missiles and bombers capable of reaching U.S. territory."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2021-09-13
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Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Technology Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs [Updated September 13, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Since the early years of the automobile, petroleum-fueled combustion engines have dominated the vehicle market. Alternatives, including battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) and alcohol fueled combustion vehicles, have existed since the automobile's infancy, but their adoption was limited for a variety of reasons, including abundant, inexpensive gasoline and diesel fuel, a refueling infrastructure network dedicated to petroleum, and differences in vehicle performance and capability. Interest in alternatives to petroleum has grown over time, driven by factors such as concerns over U.S. reliance on imported petroleum, pollutant emissions and subsequent health effects, and climate change resulting from the use of fossil fuels. Congress has considered and debated the role of petroleum and other transportation energy sources for decades, and that discussion continues as the nation considers legislation to address aging infrastructure and meeting the needs of modern society."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cunningham, Lynn J.; Diaz, Melissa N.; Canis, Bill . . .
2021-09-13
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Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: FY2022 [Updated September 13, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The 117th Congress continues its interest in U.S. research and development (R&D) and in evaluating support for federal R&D activities. The federal government has played an important role in supporting R&D efforts that have led to scientific breakthroughs and new technologies, from jet aircraft and the internet to communications satellites, shale gas extraction, and defenses against disease. In recent years, federal budget caps have driven executive and legislative branch decisions about the prioritization of R&D, both in the context of the entire federal budget and among competing needs within the federal R&D portfolio. The U.S. government supports a broad range of scientific and engineering R&D. Its purposes include addressing national defense, health, safety, the environment, and energy security; advancing knowledge generally; developing the scientific and engineering workforce; and strengthening U.S. innovation and competitiveness in the global economy. Most of the R&D funded by the federal government is performed in support of the unique missions of individual funding agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F., Jr.; Croft, Genevieve K.; Gallo, Marcy E. . . .
2021-09-13
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Executive Order 14045: White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics
From the Document: "To ensure that our Nation reaches the ambitious goals we have set for our economy to thrive, as well as to ensure equal access to opportunity for all, we must enable Hispanic and Latino students to reach their highest potential through our Nation's schools and institutions of higher education. The Federal Government must also collaborate with Hispanic and Latino communities to ensure their long-term success. It is the policy of my Administration to advance educational equity, excellence, and economic opportunity for Hispanic communities from early childhood until their chosen career."
United States. Office of the Federal Register
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.
2021-09-13
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Executive Order 14044: Amending Executive Order 14007
From the Document: "The first sentence of section 2(b) of Executive Order 14007 of January 27, 2021 (President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology), is hereby amended to read as follows: '(b) The PCAST [President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology] shall be composed of not more than 32 members'."
United States. Office of the Federal Register
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.
2021-09-13
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 10, 2021: Interim Estimates of COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Against COVID-19-Associated Emergency Department or Urgent Care Clinic Encounters and Hospitalizations Among Adults During SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant Predominance -- Nine States, June-August 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Interim Estimates of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Vaccine Effectiveness Against COVID-19-Associated Emergency Department or Urgent Care Clinic Encounters and Hospitalizations Among Adults During SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant Predominance -- Nine States, June-August 2021." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-09-10
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 10, 2021: Monitoring Incidence of COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths, by Vaccination Status -- 13 U.S. Jurisdictions, April 4-July 17, 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Monitoring Incidence of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths, by Vaccination Status -- 13 U.S. Jurisdictions, April 4-July 17, 2021." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-09-10
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 10, 2021: Effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Against COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization -- Five Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, United States, February 1-August 6, 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Effectiveness of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] mRNA Vaccines Against COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization -- Five Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, United States, February 1-August 6, 2021." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html]. Please note: a corrected version of this report can be found in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 17, 2021, located here: https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=858742.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-09-10
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DHS Needs to Enhance Its COVID-19 Response at the Southwest Border
From the Highlights: "In October 2020, in conjunction with the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, the United States began experiencing a surge of migrants at the southwest border, adding increased risk to an unprecedented public health emergency. DHS, in addition to its broad mission, is responsible for helping detect and slow the spread of COVID-19. During this inspection, we received a referral from the Office of Special Counsel concerning the lack of COVID-19 testing at one CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] location. We conducted a limited review to determine to what extent DHS has implemented measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in migrants at the southwest border."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
Howes, Shelley; Mosher, Bradley; Wright, Hope . . .
2021-09-10
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Congressional Redistricting 2021: Legal Framework [September 10, 2021]
From the Document: "In August 2021, the Census Bureau released the 2020 redistricting data [hyperlink], and based on that data, states [hyperlink] have begun [hyperlink] the process of congressional redistricting. Redistricting is the drawing of district boundaries within each state from which voters elect their representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition to complying with applicable state laws [hyperlink], congressional redistricting must comport with the U.S. Constitution and federal law, as interpreted by the Supreme Court. Since the 1960s [hyperlink], the Court has issued a series of rulings that have significantly shaped how congressional districts are drawn. Integrating Court precedent, this Legal Sidebar provides an overview of the legal framework that informs congressional redistricting, focusing on the population equality standard; requirements under the Voting Rights Act (VRA); standards of equal protection; and claims of unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering. The Sidebar concludes by discussing various considerations for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Whitaker, L. Paige
2021-09-10
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Regulation of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Background and Select Policy Issues in the 117th Congress [September 10, 2021]
From the Document: "In recent years, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have become increasingly popular. ENDS is an umbrella term for various types of electronic tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). An e-cigarette is a battery-operated device typically containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals that, when heated, creates inhalable vapor. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyses, 10.9 million American adults used e-cigarettes every day or some days in 2019, and about 3.6 million American middle and high school students used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days in 2020. Members of the public health community have debated the impact of ENDS on public health. Some view ENDS as a safer alternative for adult cigarette smokers, while others are alarmed by its increased use among youth. [...] Both FDA and Congress have taken steps to address the regulation of ENDS in response to increased ENDS use among youth. FDA has prioritized enforcement of ENDS products that are more likely to be used by minors, and the agency is reviewing premarket applications for newly deemed products, including ENDS. Legislation introduced in the 116th and 117th Congresses thus far includes various provisions addressing youth ENDS use, such as banning all flavors in tobacco products (including ENDS) and setting a maximum nicotine concentration limit in e-liquids. In FY2020 appropriations, Congress enacted provisions raising the federal minimum age of sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sheikh, Hassan Z.
2021-09-10
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 10, 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Long-Term Symptoms Among Adults Tested for SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] -- United States, January 2020-April 2021"; "Using Wastewater Surveillance Data to Support the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Response -- United States, 2020-2021"; "SARS-CoV-2 Transmission to Masked and Unmasked Close Contacts of University Students with COVID-19 -- St. Louis, Missouri, January-May 2021"; "Trends in COVID-19 Cases, Emergency Department Visits, and Hospital Admissions Among Children and Adolescents Aged 0-17 Years -- United States, August 2020-August 2021"; "Hospitalizations Associated with COVID-19 Among Children and Adolescents -- COVID-NET [Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network], 14 States, March 1, 2020-August 14, 2021"; "Notes from the Field"; and "QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged ≥20 Years Who Consumed Fruit on a Given Day, by Race and Hispanic Origin -- United States, 2015-2018." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-09-10
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 89, Ensuring Survivor Benefits During COVID-19 Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as passed by the Senate on July 21, 2021. From the Document: "S. 89 would increase the number of people who receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Because DIC benefits are paid from mandatory appropriations, enacting the legislation would increase direct spending."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-10
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MMWR Surveillance Summaries: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 10, 2021: World Trade Center Health Program -- United States, 2012-2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This Surveillance Summaries issue of MMWR contains the following article: "World Trade Center Health Program -- United States, 2012-2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-09-10
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the Operational Use of Familial DNA
From the Abstract: "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is implementing Familial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing as a factor to determine if an adult claiming to be the biological parent of a child is, in fact, the biological parent. Such testing will help to identify individuals who are fraudulently representing themselves as a family unit when apprehended by DHS. Additionally, such Familial DNA testing is being implemented for purposes of complying with a court order in 'Ms. L v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),' 3:18-cv-00428 [docket number] (S.D. Cal) [United States District Court for the Southern District of California], which requires DNA testing prior to any separation of an adult and child based on concerns of parentage. CBP is conducting this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) to provide transparency about the limited scope of DNA collection for the purpose of Familial DNA testing, which compares two DNA profiles (adult and child) to determine whether a biological parent-child relationship exists, and to outline and explain how CBP will mitigate privacy risks associated with Familial DNA."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2021-09-10
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Disaster Relief Fund: Monthly Report as of August 31, 2021 (Fiscal Year 2021 Report to Congress)
From the Background: "P.L. [Public Law] 116-260 requires that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator provide a report by the fifth business day of each month on the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) that includes a funding summary, a table delineating DRF funding activities each month by state and event, a summary of the funding for the catastrophic events, and the fund exhaustion date, or end-of-fiscal-year balance. P.L. 116-136 requires that both projected and actual costs for funds provided by it for major disasters and any other expenses be provided to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Consequently, the following report elements are included: 1. Appendix A is an appropriations summary that includes a synopsis of the amount of appropriations made available by source, the transfers executed, the previously allocated funds recovered, and the commitments, allocations, and obligations. 2. Appendix B presents details on the DRF funding activities delineated by month. 3. Appendix C presents obligations and estimates by spending category for Hurricanes Sandy, Harvey, Irma, and Maria; Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); and declarations since August 1, 2017. 4. Appendix D presents funding summaries for the current active catastrophic events including the allocations, obligations, and expenditures. 5. Appendix E presents the fund exhaustion date, or end-of-fiscal-year balance. 6. Appendix F presents a bridge table that provides explanation for the monthly and baseline change for all activities to include details for catastrophic events. 7. Appendix G presents the fund history and current status of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)/Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program."
United States. Department of Homeland Security; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2021-09-09
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Estimation of COVID-19 Period Prevalence and the Undiagnosed Population in Canadian Provinces: Model-Based Analysis
From the Abstract: "The development of a successful COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] control strategy requires a thorough understanding of the trends in geographic and demographic distributions of disease burden. In terms of the estimation of the population prevalence, this includes the crucial process of unravelling the number of patients who remain undiagnosed. [...] This study estimates the period prevalence of COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and November 30, 2020, and the proportion of the infected population that remained undiagnosed in the Canadian provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia."
JMIR Publications
Hamadeh, Abdullah; Feng, Zeny; Niergarth, Jessmyn . . .
2021-09-09
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Post-Government Employment Restrictions: DOD Could Further Enhance Its Compliance Efforts Related to Former Employees Working for Defense Contractors, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Each year, civilian and military personnel leave DOD and go to work for contractors that do business with DOD. These individuals are potentially covered by laws restricting their new employment activities. The laws--some of which include penalties for violations--seek in part to protect against conflicts of interest and to promote public trust in the integrity of the government's decision-making processes, which facilitate the award of contracts worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually. The conference report accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to update its 2008 report on major defense contractors' recent employment of former DOD officials. This report (1) identifies the extent to which major defense contractors employed potentially covered ex-DOD officials in 2019, and (2) examines practices DOD and contractors use related to contractors hiring former DOD officials. GAO reviewed and surveyed 14 selected defense contractors with obligations above a certain dollar threshold. GAO also reviewed DOD documentation, and interviewed agency officials and contractor representatives. GAO recommends that DOD assess whether to incorporate recent lobbying prohibitions into its acquisition regulations. DOD concurred with the recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-09-09
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Technology Assessment: Exposure Notification, Benefits and Challenges of Smartphone Applications to Augment Contact Tracing, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "With the emergence and rapid global spread of COVID-19 [[coronavirus disease 2019], smartphone apps have been developed to supplement manual contact tracing, which is a public health measure used to slow the spread of infectious disease. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to conduct a technology assessment of exposure notification apps. This report discusses (1) the benefits of exposure notification apps; (2) the current level of deployment in the U.S.; (3) challenges affecting their use; and (4) policy options that may help address these challenges for future use. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed agency documentation, met with officials from several federal agencies, and conducted a review of technical and policy literature. GAO also interviewed representatives from companies involved in the development of exposure notification apps, public health organizations, federally funded research and development centers, and academic researchers. In addition, GAO analyzed information from a selection of states. GAO is identifying policy options in this report. GAO received technical comments on a draft of this report from five federal agencies and five organizations included in the review, which it incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-09-09
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 36, September 9, 2021
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "New report shows nearly three quarters of 9/11 responders have long-term illness"; "Drones: New CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] guidance for emergency communications centers and FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] outreach events next week"; "Updated Land Mobile Radio (LMR) funding and sustainability guidance from SAFECOM [Aviation Safety Communiqué System] and NCSWIC [National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators]"; "Webinar: Implementing Telemedicine in EMS [emergency medical service] and the 911 Communications Center, Sept. 22"; "US Cyber Command warns of ongoing attacks exploiting Atlassian Confluence flaw"; "Going beyond: Assessing security practices of IT [information technology] service providers"; "CISA releases the Cloud Security Technical Reference Architecture and Zero Trust Maturity Model for public comment"; and "Five ways to navigate the threat landscape conveyed in Verizon's DBIR [Data Breach Investigations Report] 2021."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2021-09-09
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Letter from Phillip L. Swagel to Adam Smith Regarding Direct Spending and Revenue Effects of H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, September 9, 2021
This letter is from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Phillip L. Swagel to Adam Smith, Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services. From the letter: "The Congressional Budget Office has completed the enclosed estimate of the direct spending and revenue effects of H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Armed Services on September 2, 2021. This estimate is based on the Committee Print 117-13 that was posted to the website of the House Committee on Rules on September 7, 2021. Enacting the bill would have an insignificant effect on net direct spending and revenues, CBO estimates. Our complete cost estimate of H.R. 4350, including a discussion of discretionary authorizations and mandates under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, will be provided shortly." An enclosed table is labeled "Estimated Changes in Direct Spending and Revenues Under H.R. 4350, as Ordered Reported by the House Committee on Armed Services on September 2, 2021, and Posted on the Website of the House Committee on Rules as Committee Print 117-13 on September 7, 2021."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
Swagel, Phillip
2021-09-09
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COVID-19-Related Impact on the Banking Industry: Conditions in the First Quarter 2021 [September 9, 2021]
From the Document: "Although bank regulation is designed to allow banks to withstand some amount of unexpected losses, some worry that the economic ramifications of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could result in enough borrowers missing loan payments to cause distress for banks [hyperlink]. This Insight presents certain bank industry statistics for the first quarter 2021 and examines how the pandemic might be affecting the industry."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gnanarajah, Raj; Perkins, David W.
2021-09-09
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Comprehensive Plan for Addressing High Drug Prices: A Report in Response to the Executive Order on Competition in the American Economy, Report to the White House Competition Council
From the Executive Summary: "President Biden's Executive Order 14036, 'Promoting Competition in the American Economy' (the Competition Executive Order), identifies a lack of competition as a key driver for problems across economic sectors. The Report presents principles for equitable drug pricing reform through competition, innovation, and transparency; describes promising legislative approaches; and summarizes actions already underway or under consideration across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In the course of preparing the Report, Secretary Xavier Becerra, other HHS officials, and HHS staff held listening sessions with consumer groups, staff from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), independent experts and researchers, and stakeholders from across the health care system. Americans spend more than $1,500 per person on prescription drugs and pay prices that are far higher than any comparable nation. Prices for brand name drugs are rising faster than inflation. Many Americans do not take medications as prescribed because of their cost, with resulting harm to their health care and health. Lack of competition is a key factor in these high drug costs."
United States. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
Becerra, Xavier, 1958-
2021-09-09
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Report to the White House Competition Council: U.S. Department of Transportation's Investigatory, Enforcement and Other Activities Addressing Lack of Timely Airline Ticket Refunds Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Introduction: "The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) is committed to ensuring that airline passengers are treated fairly. Airlines and ticket agents have a legal obligation to refund consumers if the airline cancels or significantly changes a consumer's flight. This obligation to refund passengers for flights cancelled or significantly changed by airlines remained unchanged notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic. In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines had difficulty processing, in a timely manner, the significant volume of refund requests that they received. Many airlines were also initially reluctant to provide the required refunds. Further, even when flights were not cancelled or substantially changed, many passengers no longer wished to travel due to COVID-19. This resulted in the Department receiving a flood of complaints about carriers' failures to provide refunds, an increase of 4,552 % relative to the same period pre-pandemic. The Department has devoted considerable time, energy, and effort to securing relief for consumers and holding airlines accountable."
United States. Department of Transportation
2021-09-09
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CISA Can Improve Efforts to Ensure Dam Security and Resilience
From the Highlights: "Nationwide, there are more than 91,000 dams, levees, and other water retention structures protecting homes and businesses, delivering electricity, and providing recreation and transportation. Recent dam failures in Oroville, CA, and Midland, MI, and widespread flooding in the Midwest highlight a need for comprehensive Federal oversight and guidance. In 2018, CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] became the newly formed DHS component responsible for Dams Sector security and resilience. Our audit objective was to determine to what extent CISA's oversight has improved Dams Sector security and resilience."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
Starinsky, Yesenia; Campbell, Douglas; Teal, Kirsten . . .
2021-09-09
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EPA's Office of Land and Emergency Management Lacked a Nationally Consistent Strategy for Communicating Health Risks at Contaminated Sites
From the Document: "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General conducted this audit to determine whether the EPA is communicating sampling results or other indicators of human health risk in a manner that allows impacted communities to make decisions about managing their risks of exposure to harmful contaminants or substances. The audit covered eight contaminated sites. According to the EPA, risk communication is intended to provide community members 'with the information they need to make informed, independent judgements about risks to health, safety, and the environment.' The EPA has made risk communication a priority."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of the Inspector General
Collier, Morgan; Gerhart, Seth; Henry, Natasha L. . . .
2021-09-09
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Bold Vision for America's Mental Well-Being: It's Time to Redesign the U.S. Mental & Behavioral Health System
From the Document: "Mental health is foundational for our overall well-being and must be prioritized to improve both health care and society. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in mental and addiction issues in America. As of 2018, approximately 19% of all adults carried a mental health diagnosis and approximately 20.3 million people aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder. The data also shows an increase in suicides (suicide was the 10th leading cause of death overall and second for young people ages 10 years to 34 years) indicative of increased severity of illness and related negative impacts. In 2019, rates of death from alcohol, drugs, and suicide increased, with preliminary data from 2020 showing that drug overdoses increased by over 30%. Statistics like these demonstrate the vital role mental health treatment and care has to play in supporting healthy communities, especially for individuals already dealing with a mental or behavioral health diagnosis. Yet, there are low rates of treatment across the care continuum. [...] Access to mental health treatment is impacted by numerous issues including: geography, workforce issues, cost and health insurance coverage, with disparities for racial/ethnic and other underrepresented groups. There are not enough clinicians available or that accept health insurance to meet existing demand. Policymakers must do all we can to increase workforce numbers but in doing so must recognize that these steps alone are insufficient to solve our many problems. We must become more creative with how we think about who does, what, where and for whom."
Bennet, Michael, 1964-; Cornyn, John, 1952-
Bennet, Michael, 1964-; Cornyn, John, 1952-
2021-09-09
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COVID-19 Vaccine Perception in South Korea: Web Crawling Approach
From the Abstract: "The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization emphasized vaccination against COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] because physical distancing proved inadequate to mitigate death, illness, and massive economic loss. [...] This study aimed to investigate Korean citizens' perceptions of vaccines by examining their views on COVID-19 vaccines, their positive and negative perceptions of each vaccine, and ways to enhance policies to increase vaccine acceptance."
JMIR Publications
Lee, Hocheol; Noh, Eun Bi; Park, Sung Jong . . .
2021-09-08
