The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced the expansion of operational areas of their organizations that are dedicated to enforcement of laws and regulations related to technology, privacy, and cybersecurity.
On February 17, 2023, the FTC announced the creation of a new Office of Technology to “strengthen the FTC’s ability to keep pace with technological challenges in the digital marketplace,” including to “strengthen and support law enforcement investigations and actions.” The Office of Technology will be headed by Stephanie T. Nguyen, who highlighted FTC’s need to develop “in-house skills…to fully grasp evolving technologies and market trends…to tackle unlawful business practices and protect Americans.”
On February 27, 2023, HHS announced the rebranding and reorganization for divisions within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The Health Information Privacy Division (HIP) will be rebranded as the Health Information Privacy, Data, and Cybersecurity Division (HIPDC) to better align with OCR’s “work and role in cybersecurity.”
Related Posts
Biden-Harris Administration Releases Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
A growing body of evidence demonstrates the connection between health outcomes to income, education, nutrition, housing, environmental exposures, and other social circumstances. Similarly, studies have shown that interventions addressing SDOH can improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs. In response, the Biden-Harris Administration has released a playbook outlining new or strengthened initiatives that agencies…
Free Hearing Aids from Cochlear Implant Manufacturer May Violate Fraud and Abuse Laws
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) posted on October 25, 2023 Advisory Opinion No. 23-08, in which OIG rejected a proposed arrangement from a cochlear implant device manufacturer (the requestor) that would provide a free hearing aid to certain qualified patients who received a cochlear implant. OIG concluded the…
Representatives Bilirakis and Cartwright Introduce the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023 (H.R. 6445)
On November 17, 2023, Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Matt Cartwright (D-PA) introduced the Medicare Audiology Access improvement Act (H.R. 6445). This legislation is also co-sponsored by Representatives Johnson (R-OH), Shakowsky (D-IL), Mace (R-SC), Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Trone (D-MD), Webster (R-FL), Cohen (D-TN), LaMalfa (R-CA), Grijalva (D-AZ), Foster (D-IL) and Pocan (D-WI). Senators Elizabeth…