Daily Report for Executives Index-Summary

HAITI

– Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE II), Obama certifies to Congress that Haiti continues to meet eligibility criteria for benefits, 200:A–2 (10/20/09)

HAWAII

– High technology investments, guidance on tax credit cap issued, 190:H–2 (10/5/09)
– Ponzi losses deductible on state returns, 203:H–2 (10/23/09)
– Tax haven accounts, Haw. extends disclosure deadline, 190:H–2 (10/5/09)

HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS (HAPs)

– Architectural coatings, Environment Canada publishes final regulations to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds, 195:A–5 (10/13/09)
– Chemical manufacturing area sources, EPA finalizes toxic emissions standards, 201:A–10 (10/21/09)
– Medical waste incinerators, EPA to publish final rule establishing new emission standards, 191:A–32 (10/6/09)
– Multipollutant regulations and better implementation of rules to be pursued by EPA, Asst. Adm'r McCarthy says, 193:A–32 (10/8/09)
– Paints and coatings, South Coast Air Quality Management District overstepped its authority by issuing “technology-forcing” standards (Cal. Ct. App.), 193:A–8 (10/8/09)
– Petroleum refinery heat exchangers, EPA to publish portions of rule setting technology-based air toxics control requirements, 200:A–7 (10/20/09)
– Sulfuric acid manufacturer, Mosaic Fertilizer, to pay $2.4M fine, spend $30M for air pollution controls under proposed consent decree announced by DOJ and EPA (E.D. La.), 191:A–27 (10/6/09)

HAZARDOUS WASTE

– Brownfields redevelopment

See ENVIRONMENT

– Coal combustion waste

– – American Electric Power's coal-ash impoundment in W. Va. needs further safety testing, EPA says, 208:A–24 (10/30/09)
– – Regulating coal ash as hazardous waste would cost states millions, survey indicates, 208:A–11 (10/30/09)
– – TVA power plant spill, part of Emory River in Tenn. to remain closed through Feb. 2010 for removal of ash, 195:A–9 (10/13/09); comment sought on restoration plan for several areas at spill site, 202:A–30 (10/22/09)
– – White House reviewing EPA proposal to regulate coal residue from power plants, 200:A–20 (10/20/09)

– Dioxins

– – Dow Chemical contamination, EPA says Univ. of Mich. study of “limited value” to agency in its efforts to evaluate exposure levels in Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers and Saginaw Bay, 190:A–13 (10/5/09)
– – Interim preliminary remediation goals for cleanup to be released by EPA by end of 2009, 198:A–26 (10/16/09)

– Ecuadorian court case against Chevron for dumping billions of gallons of oil waste into Amazon River, human rights advocate calls on Chevron to clean up polluted sites, 199:A–11 (10/19/09)
– Electronic waste, federal government has taken positive steps to manage responsibly, but more can be done, GAO report, 206:A–11 (10/28/09)
– Methamphetamine lab sites, EPA issues voluntary guidelines on cleanup, 192:A–29 (10/7/09)
– Mo., SWH Investments agrees to put up $2.6M for cleanup activities at century-old chemical manufacturing facility, EPA announces, 191:A–3 (10/6/09)
– Nanomaterials

See NANOTECHNOLOGY

– N.Y., Kawasaki Rail Car to pay $130K to settle RCRA complaint on wastes (S.D.N.Y.), 192:A–31 (10/7/09)
– Petrochemical plants in Tex. and La., Formosa Plastics to spend $12.8M to address air, water, and hazardous waste violations (S.D. Tex.), 188:A–25 (10/1/09)
– Shipbreaking, European Union environment ministers approve adoption of Intl. Maritime Org. convention, 202:A–7 (10/22/09)
– Solvent-contaminated wipes, EPA to release revise risk analysis proposal, 198:A–13 (10/16/09); EPA analysis shows 8 of 20 solvents could pose risk, 205:A–21 (10/27/09)
– Superfund sites

See SUPERFUND

– Tex., commercial insurance policy's broadly written pollution exclusion bars coverage not only for contamination-related property damage claims but also for consequential damages (5th Cir.), 192:A–15 (10/7/09)
– Transport

See TRANSPORTATION

– Utah man gets 20-year prison term for dumping pollutants and assaulting officers (S.D. Fla.), 197:A–28 (10/15/09)

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT (HHS)

– FDA FY2010 funding

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2997*

– Inspector General's Office releases FY2010 work plan, 189:A–17 (10/2/09)
– NIH, Obama says $5B in stimulus funding has been awarded for 12,000 grants to scientists, 188:A–11 (10/1/09)
– Surgeon General, Senate HELP Comm. approves nomination of Benjamin, 193:A–5 (10/8/09)

HEALTH CARE

– Antitrust

– – Carilion Clinic to spin off 2 independent outpatient medical clinics acquired in 2008 to resolve charges of violations, FTC announces, 193:A–5 (10/8/09)
– – Consolidation among providers and impacts on hospital and physician competition discussed by MedPAC, 195:A–17 (10/13/09)

– Compensation, nurses seeking certification of class challenging alleged wage suppression cannot demonstrate that common questions of law or fact predominate over individual questions (N.D. Ill.), 188:A–14 (10/1/09)
– Corporate integrity agreements, HHS OIG solicits responses from organizations that could serve as quality-of-care monitors, 197:A–13 (10/15/09)
– Coverage, FSA cap

See HEALTH CARE REFORM

– Doctors

See PHYSICIANS

– Fraud

– – Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), witnesses tout success during Senate Judiciary hearing, 207:A–6 (10/29/09)
– – Insurance-based fraud by both public and private carriers becoming larger issue, report finds, 206:A–27 (10/28/09)
– – Physician failed to properly allege that United Healthcare violated RICO by mailing fraudulent explanations of benefits (U.S., rev den), 191:A–4 (10/6/09)

– H1N1 flu pandemic could cut global GDP between 0.7 and 3.0 percent, World Bank says, 191:EE–7 (10/6/09)
– HIV/AIDS, Senate HELP Comm. approves bill to reauthorize Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act, 188:A–16 (10/1/09); further action, see LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2918*, HR 3792, S 1793*
– Hospitals

See HOSPITALS

– HSAs

See HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSAs)

– Information technology

– – Data breaches of electronic health records, House leaders urge HHS to strengthen rules that do not require entities to notify individuals if no harm resulted from breaches, 190:A–11 (10/5/09); correction, 191:A–32 (10/6/09); groups support no harm provision in regulation, 204:A–23 (10/26/09)
– – Simplifying and streamlining administrative tasks in physicians' offices and hospitals, America's Health Insurance Plans launch regional and statewide initiatives, 191:A–30 (10/6/09)

– Insurance

See HEALTH INSURANCE

– Medical devices

– – Combination products, FDA proposes rule on postmarket safety reporting, 189:A–2 (10/2/09)
– – Improving transparency and overall integrity of decisionmaking process helps agency and industry, FDA official says, 197:A–12 (10/15/09)
– – Knee cartilage mesh device manufactured by ReGen Biologics, Grassley (R-Iowa) seeks to ensure CMS has access to FDA data for Medicare coverage approval, 193:A–16 (10/8/09)
– – Safety concerns, FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health does not use adverse event reports in systematic manner to detect and address, HHS OIG report, 204:A–18 (10/26/09)
– – Spinal dynamic stabilization systems, FDA orders manufacturers to conduct postmarket safety studies, 191:A–29 (10/6/09)

– Regional health information, IRS approves 30 applications for RHIOs, testing criteria for exemption continues, 196:G–5 (10/14/09)

HEALTH CARE REFORM

– Affordable Health Care for America Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3962

– America's Affordable Health Choices Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3200

– America's Healthy Future Act

See Senate Finance Comm., this heading

– Benefits attorneys suggest employers be ready to implement reforms, 194:G–10 (10/9/09)
– Biosimilars pathway, governors urge Congress to include in final legislation, 188:A–4 (10/1/09); Senate HELP Comm. bill includes provision to create pathway, 4 senators urge inclusion in final bill, 196:A–7 (10/14/09)
– “Cadillac plans”

– – Anti-deficit Concord Coalition urges Senate to keep excise tax on high-cost insurance policies, 195:G–4 (10/13/09)
– – Basing excise tax on dollar value, not actuarial value, consulting firm Milliman warns of dangers, 189:G–10 (10/2/09)
– – Benefits group ABC says tax threshold too low, suggests several changes, 195:G–4 (10/13/09); Am. Benefits Council statement on priority employer issues, 195:TaxCore (10/13/09)
– – CBPP defends Finance Comm. excise tax, 201:G–8 (10/21/09)
– – Finance Comm. tax on high-cost insurance plans opposed by over half the House Dem Caucus, 193:G–8 (10/8/09)
– – Harkin (D-Iowa) expects higher thresholds for tax after Senate bills merge, 199:G–5 (10/19/09)
– – Insurance rates, JCT analysis shows modest increase from proposed excise tax, 190:GG–4 (10/5/09); estimate of distribution effects, 190:TaxCore (10/5/09); 31 percent of currently available plans will be classified as “Cadillac plans” by 2019, 201:G–11 (10/21/09); JCT report, 201:TaxCore (10/21/09)

– Cohesive federal-state effort needed to remedy wide state variations in health care access, quality, and spending identified in Commonwealth Fund report, panelists say, 200:A–14 (10/20/09)
– Comparative effectiveness research, fact sheet details role in reform efforts, 192:A–20 (10/7/09)
– Cost of Finance Comm. bill

– – CBO estimates 10-year cost $829B, with $81B in savings, 193:G–8 (10/8/09); letter to Chrm. Baucus (D-Mont), 193:TaxCore (10/8/09)
– – GOP economist Holtz-Eakin estimates cost of Finance Chrm.'s mark on households, 190:GG–4 (10/5/09); former CBO Director's memo on paying for reform, 190:TaxCore (10/5/09)

– ERISA remedies, regulatory role need to be addressed, EBSA chief Borzi says, 200:G–7 (10/20/09)
– Executive compensation, Senate Finance Comm. votes to curb deductions of health insurance firms, 190:GG–1 (10/5/09); Grassley (R-Iowa) does not offer amendments on safe harbor for hospital executives, 190:GG–3 (10/5/09)
– Flexible spending accounts, Senate Finance Comm. retains cap in Baucus (D-Mont) health care reform mark, 190:GG–1 (10/5/09); House bill caps FSA contributions at $2,500, 206:G–8 (10/28/09)
– House Dem leaders to unveil merged legislation, manager's amendment likely, 207:G–6 (10/29/09)
– Individual insurance mandate raises constitutional concerns, critics say, BNA Special Report, 189:C–1 (10/2/09)
– Insurance coverage mandate, GOP senators oppose tax penalty, Finance Chrm. open to reducing, postponing tax, 189:G–7 (10/2/09); CRS analysis of constitutional issues, 189:TaxCore (10/2/09); Finance Comm. softens proposed penalty excise taxes on individuals, 190:GG–1 (10/5/09); penalty tax on individuals will be inflation-indexed after 2017, 191:G–4 (10/6/09); Chrm. Baucus (D-Mont) to defend excise tax penalty in Senate debate, 200:G–4 (10/20/09)
– Insurance premium spike predicted if Finance Comm. bill enacted, 196:GG–1 (10/14/09); PricewaterhouseCoopers report for AHIP, 196:TaxCore (10/14/09); Finance Comm. staff response to report, 196:TaxCore (10/14/09); insurers deny they want to scuttle reform bill, ask senators to revise industry tax plans, 198:G–5 (10/16/09); Federal Policy Group background information on potential impact on insurance companies of Finance Comm. bill, 198:TaxCore (10/16/09); AHIP technical answers to questions on PwC report, 198:TaxCore (10/16/09)
– Insurer windfall profits tax, House Speaker Pelosi (D-Cal) probes for offsets, 194:G–9 (10/9/09)
– IRS responsibilities under Finance Comm. bill costly, 189:G–8 (10/2/09); Grassley (R-Iowa) statement on Baucus (D-Mont) mark for America's Healthy Future Act, 189:TaxCore (10/2/09); letter to Treasury, IRS seeking cost estimates, 189:TaxCore (10/2/09)
– Itemized deduction cap, CBPP criticizes arguments against limits by charitable groups, 189:G–9 (10/2/09)
– Medical malpractice reform would save Medicare and Medicaid $41B over 10 years, while raising additional $13B in federal income taxes, CBO report, 195:A–8 (10/13/09); recent reform activity due to overall health care reform efforts, CRS report, 201:A–12 (10/21/09)
– Medicare Advantage plans' mailings to enrollees warning them of funding cuts in pending legislation, HHS Sec'y Sebelius defends communications by CMS instructing plans to stop, 192:A–23 (10/7/09)
– Nonprofit insurance entities, Senate Finance Comm. bill would create, 196:GG–1 (10/14/09)
– Obama says reform would help physicians better care for their patients, 191:A–14 (10/6/09)
– Payment and delivery system changes key to curbing cost increases, policy adviser Altman says, 203:A–1 (10/23/09)
– Public option

– – Cal. doctors union says public option and insurance reform key to health care reform, 190:A–20 (10/5/09)
– – More than 50 House Dems call on House leaders to include in final bill, but they do not specify how plan should be structured, 188:A–24 (10/1/09)

– Revenue title of America's Healthy Future Act, Baucus's (D-Mont) amended mark, 190:TaxCore (10/5/09); update, 193:TaxCore (10/8/09); JCT revenue estimates for Title VI, as amended through Oct. 2, 194:TaxCore (10/9/09)
– Rural area residents would gain better access to health care coverage with reform, HHS report says, 206:A–26 (10/28/09)
– San Francisco's play-or-pay plan (U.S., solicitor general's brief invited), 191:EE–14 (10/6/09)
– Senate Dems and White House officials begin talks to produce single bill, 197:A–34 (10/15/09); HELP and Finance Comm. bills could be merged soon, Dodd (D-Conn) says, 197:G–13 (10/15/09); GOP leader McConnell (R-Ky) insists on multi-week debate, 197:N–1 (10/15/09); Harkin (D-Iowa) says bill with public plan will reach Obama's desk by end of 2009, 199:A–10 (10/19/09); Senate and House bills have similarities regarding employer mandates, speakers say, 199:A–16 (10/19/09); negotiators seriously considering including public plan with state opt-out, 203:A–24 (10/23/09); negotiators say bill may not be ready for floor debate before Nov., 203:G–6 (10/23/09); “trigger” for further cost containment explored by health insurers and lawmakers, 205:A–17 (10/27/09); reform necessary step to making progress on bleak long-term budget outlook, CEA Chrm. Romer says, 205:A–19 (10/27/09); melded bill to include public option with state opt-out, Reid (D-Nev) says, 205:A–21 (10/27/09); AFL-CIO to press Congress to include “robust” public option, 205:A–23 (10/27/09); Cal. governor repeats concern on impact of Medicaid expansion on states' expenses, 206:A–12 (10/28/09); Lieberman (I-Conn) and Snowe (R-Me) express opposition to plan with public option, 206:A–20 (10/28/09); home health agencies launch ad campaign to get Congress to roll back Medicare cuts, 207:A–5 (10/29/09); support for public option to increase as lawmakers learn more, senators predict, 207:A–16 (10/29/09)
– Senate Finance Comm. weighs financing amendments, public plan option dropped, fee on health insurers sustained, 188:G–6 (10/1/09); federally funded plan option would allow states to negotiate with insurers to provide coverage to low-income individuals, 189:A–27 (10/2/09); Comm. debates penalty on uninsured, low-income credits could go to states, rather than individuals, 189:G–7 (10/2/09); markup completed, final vote expected week of Oct. 5, 190:A–16 (10/5/09); Comm. softens impact of proposed penalty excise taxes on individuals, 190:GG–1 (10/5/09); amended Chrm.'s mark for America's Healthy Future Act, 190:TaxCore (10/5/09); penalty tax on individuals will be inflation-indexed after 2017, 191:G–4 (10/6/09); technical corrections to Comm.-amended Chrm.'s mark, 191:TaxCore (10/6/09); medical center representatives urge Baucus (D-Mont) to aggressively reform Medicare payment system, 192:A–21 (10/7/09); Comm. waits for CBO scoring, may vote on bill week of Oct. 12, 192:G–7 (10/7/09); health industry fees, eliminating deductions produces $29B in revenues, JCT says, 192:G–8 (10/7/09); GOP request for CBO, JCT chiefs attendance at final markup, 192:TaxCore (10/7/09); JCT scoring of 3 industry fee provisions in Chrm.'s mark as approved by Senate Finance Comm., 192:TaxCore (10/7/09); amended plan costs $829B over 10 years and covers 94 percent of Americans, CBO report, 193:AA–1 (10/8/09); CBO issues preliminary cost estimate, half the House Dem Caucus opposes tax on high-cost insurance plans, 193:G–8 (10/8/09); amended Chrm.'s mark, updated by BNA, 193:TaxCore (10/8/09); health insurers launch “war room” to fight weakening of individual mandate, 194:A–29 (10/9/09); CRS issues series of analytical reports, 194:A–32 (10/9/09); employer mandates criticized, as opponents and supporters question proposals, BNA Special Report, 194:C–1 (10/9/09); Comm. members take time to study CBO analysis, 194:G–9 (10/9/09); former HHS Sec'y Thompson predicts Senate passage will mean using reconciliation procedures that only requires simple majority, 196:A–1 (10/14/09); medical device group executives speak out against proposed annual industry fee, 196:A–21 (10/14/09); Comm. votes 14-9 to approve $829B health care overhaul bill, AHIP predicts spike in premiums, 196:GG–1 (10/14/09); bill would create 3 nonprofit firms to sell insurance, reinsure insurers, 196:GG–3 (10/14/09); correction to report on 196:GG-3, hospital requirements, 197:G–18 (10/15/09); further action, see LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1796
– Senate HELP Comm. bill includes provision to create pathway for approval of biosimilars, 4 senators urge inclusion in final bill, 196:A–7 (10/14/09); 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs too lengthy for brand-name products, PCMA and NCHC say, 197:A–6 (10/15/09)
– Small business impacts, CRS releases report on effects of employer mandates, 191:A–17 (10/6/09); CRS analyzes House bill (HR 3200) and Senate HELP Comm. bill, 191:G–4 (10/6/09); report, 191:TaxCore (10/6/09); reform critical to small businesses, witnesses tell House and Senate panels, 201:A–16 (10/21/09); White House and SBA stress necessity of reform for small businesses, 208:A–1 (10/30/09)

HEALTH INSURANCE

– Antitrust, McCarran-Ferguson Act exemption repeal

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3596, S 1681

– Arbitration agreement to resolve denial of benefits disputes (U.S., rev den), 191:EE–8 (10/6/09)
– Costs for U.S. workers likely to increase by 7 percent in 2010, survey finds, 194:EE–13 (10/9/09)
– Denial of coverage, Federal Employees Health Benefits Act completely preempts state law claims (U.S., rev grant), 196:A–26 (10/14/09)
– Disclosure of internal guidelines that plan's claims administrator used in denying coverage (U.S., rev den), 191:EE–9 (10/6/09)
– Explanation of benefits, doctor's claim contending insurer violated RICO by allegedly mailing fraudulent documents regarding claims for reimbursement (U.S., rev den), 191:EE–12 (10/6/09)
– Genetic information, interim rules to implement GINA released, IRS, Labor, CMS request comments, 189:AA–1 (10/2/09); comments sought, 189:G–10 (10/2/09); text of REG-123829-08, 189:L–1 (10/2/09); TD 9464, 189:L–3 (10/2/09); rules could harm employee wellness programs, ERIC warns, 193:A–28 (10/8/09); DOL and HHS officials provide details on rules at conference, 201:G–10 (10/21/09); attorney suggests tips for handling health risk assessments under new regulations, 202:A–13 (10/22/09)
– HIPAA violations, new interim rule from HHS finalizes higher penalties, 208:A–12 (10/30/09)
– HSAs

See HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSAs)

– Interstate competition would lower costs, CF&P study finds, 192:A–14 (10/7/09)
– Mass., nearly all employers in state meet minimum health coverage standards, officials say, 206:A–10 (10/28/09)
– Medicaid

See MEDICAID

– Medicare

See MEDICARE

– Mental health parity rules that become effective Jan. 1, 2010, employers in holding pattern while they wait for guidance, 189:EE–18 (10/2/09); rules delayed until Jan. 2010, HHS Sec'y Sebelius says, 192:A–28 (10/7/09); agencies plan to release rules by year end, 201:G–10 (10/21/09)
– N.Y. Atty. Gen. Cuomo announces creation of nonprofit company and research consortium of 5 universities to provide independent database for reimbursement of out-of-network claims, 206:A–6 (10/28/09)
– Privacy requirements, encryption discussed by benefits attorneys at ALI-ABA panel, 194:G–10 (10/9/09)
– Reform debate

See HEALTH CARE REFORM

– Retirees, DOL proposes exemption that would allow New Chrysler Corp. to transfer nearly $4.59B in promissory note and company securities to VEBA, 190:EE–6 (10/5/09)

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSAs)

– Employer comparable contributions, signature block correction made to final rules (TD 9457), 191:G–6 (10/6/09)

HEDGE FUNDS

– Fair value of alternative investments, hedges, FASB issues new accounting guidance, 189:G–1 (10/2/09)
– Insider trading, 6 individuals including billionaire hedge fund manager Rajaratnam, charged over alleged roles in scam (S.D.N.Y.), 199:EE–11 (10/19/09)
– Managed Funds Ass'n announces forming of affiliations with regional hedge fund associations to collaborate on key issues, 196:EE–8 (10/14/09)
– Reform, SEC should seek broader authority from Congress that would allow for future flexibility, Comm'r Aguilar says, 198:EE–14 (10/16/09)
– Regulation

– – Registration of investment advisers with SEC

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3818

– – SEC's Kaplan expects more due diligence cases, 199:EE–12 (10/19/09)

HEDGING

– Accounting for derivatives

See DERIVATIVES

HOMELAND SECURITY

– Certifying businesses that are prepared for emergencies and disasters, DHS announces proposed standards for voluntary program, 198:A–12 (10/16/09)
– Chemical plant security

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2868

– Privacy, USA PATRIOT Act provision modification and reauthorization

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1692

HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT (DHS)

– Customs

– – Audits and prior disclosure cases, CBP proposal gives guidance for statistical samplings, 202:A–11 (10/22/09)
– – Facilitation and trade enforcement operations reauthorization and strengthening

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1631

– – Truckers participating in Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) not receiving full benefits promised, House panel told, 203:A–4 (10/23/09)

– Cybersecurity, DHS authorized to hire up to 1,000 professionals over next 3 years to assist agency in protecting U.S. computer networks, 190:A–8 (10/5/09)
– FY2010 funding

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2892*

– Privacy Office not living up to its statutory mandate to preserve privacy of U.S. citizens, coalition of advocacy groups says, 206:A–3 (10/28/09)

HOSPITALS

– Antitrust, consolidation among providers and impacts on hospital and physician competition discussed by MedPAC, 195:A–17 (10/13/09)
– Community benefit, Senate Finance Comm. reports health care overhaul bill with 4 new provisions for nonprofits, 196:GG–3 (10/14/09); correction, 197:G–18 (10/15/09); practitioners say S 1796 makes modest but key adjustment to tax exemption, 202:G–5 (10/22/09)
– Executive compensation

– – Comparable survey use, IRS official discusses at AHLA conference, 196:G–5 (10/14/09)
– – Grassley (R-Iowa) does not offer amendments at health care reform markup, 190:GG–3 (10/5/09)

– H1N1 virus, HHS may exempt hospitals from complying with certain requirements of 5 major laws and programs on event of national health emergency, 206:A–4 (10/28/09)
– Improper patient transfers by Mercy Hospital-Port Huron and Trinity Health, remaining claims of physician and his spouse in lawsuit claiming retaliation dismissed (E.D. Mich.), 203:A–14 (10/23/09)
– Safety-net hospitals expect reprieve from federal reporting mandate on national drug codes, 194:A–31 (10/9/09)

HOUSING

– Affordable housing, Treasury announces $284M award to spur Cal. housing sector, 204:G–4 (10/26/09)
– Builder confidence, Oct., NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, 200:EE–2 (10/20/09)
– Drywall from China, CPSC “working tirelessly” to investigate and analyze safety hazards, 189:A–20 (10/2/09); initial results of 3 studies preliminarily indicate some difference between Chinese and other drywall, 208:A–13 (10/30/09)
– Energy retrofitting

– – Energy Star standard for tax credit

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1792

– – IRS touts expanded homeowner tax credits, 208:G–12 (10/30/09)
– – VP Biden's plan would let homeowners finance via property tax bills, 200:G–3 (10/20/09)

– Energy retrofitting of U.S. homes, VP Biden unveils proposal to create jobs, 200:A–12 (10/20/09)
– First-time home buyers

– – CBPP advises against credit expansion, 206:G–7 (10/28/09)
– – Coding for credit, TIGTA critical of IRS computer programming, 198:G–4 (10/16/09)
– – Credit forms, IRS posts update on website, 195:G–7 (10/13/09)
– – Extend, expand credit, housing industry groups urge lawmakers, 193:G–3 (10/8/09); testimony for House Small Business Comm. hearing, 193:TaxCore (10/8/09); lawmakers discuss extension to support economy, 194:G–6 (10/9/09); Senate leaders Conrad (D-ND) supports extension, Baucus (D-Mont) undecided, 197:G–11 (10/15/09); mortgage bankers, home builders and realtors push for credit extension, 200:G–2 (10/20/09); letter to administration officials, 200:TaxCore (10/20/09); bipartisan group of 165 lawmakers support credit extension, 202:G–1 (10/22/09); House Speaker Pelosi (D-Cal) supports extension, Pomeroy (D-ND) wants modification, offset, 202:G–8 (10/22/09); letter to House Dem, GOP leaders, 202:TaxCore (10/22/09)
– – Fraudulent claims

– – – IRS examines nearly 107,000 cases, 167 “criminal schemes” identified so far, 201:G–2 (10/21/09)
– – – Lewis (D-Ga) bill

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3901

– – Senate Banking Comm. members endorse credit extension, 201:G–1 (10/21/09)
– – Unemployment bill not proper vehicle for credit extension, senator says, 201:G–5 (10/21/09); further action, see LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3548
– – Ways-Means panel announces hearing on IRS administration of tax credit, 198:G–7 (10/16/09); TIGTA's George testifies on administration concerns, fraudulent claims, Lewis (D-Ga) introduces bill, 203:G–2 (10/23/09); testimony by TIGTA, IRS, GAO officials, 203:TaxCore (10/23/09); TIGTA report on credit challenges, 203:TaxCore (10/23/09)
– – White House touts benefits of extending tax credits, 191:G–5 (10/6/09); HUD Sec'y testifies administration will work with Congress on incentives, 198:G–4 (10/16/09)

– Low-income housing

– – Grants in-lieu of credits, Treasury asks OMB to review grant application, 206:G–7 (10/28/09)
– – HUD rule bars placing tax credit equity in escrow, 194:G–3 (10/9/09); proposed rules to conform to 2008 law, 194:TaxCore (10/9/09); HUD issues rules correction, 204:G–4 (10/26/09)

– Military personnel, tax benefits

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3548, HR 3590, S 1728

– Mortgages

See MORTGAGES

– Parsonages, foundation files complaint against tax benefits ministers receive (E.D. Cal.), 200:K–1 (10/20/09); text of complaint, 200:TaxCore (10/20/09)
– Prices

– – FHFA House Price Index, Aug., 203:EE–7 (10/23/09)
– – Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller index for 10 cities, Aug., 206:EE–1 (10/28/09)

– Property taxes

See specific states

– Sales

– – Existing single-family homes, Sept., NAR report, 204:EE–1 (10/26/09)
– – New single-family homes, Sept., Census Bureau report, 207:EE–1 (10/29/09); text of Sept. data, 207:E–1 (10/29/09)

– Starts, Sept., Commerce Dep't and HUD report, 201:EE–1 (10/21/09); text of Sept. data, 201:E–1 (10/21/09)
– State and local housing finance agencies, Treasury, HUD, and FHFA unveil bond, credit, and liquidity programs to aid, 200:EE–3 (10/20/09)

HSAs

See HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSAs)