Sep 5, 2011

What's On The Agenda?

All federal agencies must provide a list of regulatory changes they are working on, called their regulatory agenda. The regulatory agenda includes regulatory proposals those that have not yet resulted in a Notice of Proposed Rule-Making (NPRM), which is the first time that the public can see the contents of a regulatory proposal. Below are three items from Social Security's regulatory agenda. Note that the first three could be quite significant or quite minor. There is no way to know at this point. We know the third one, which has already resulted in an NPRM, is major. Note also that the dates given are not binding. These things are often delayed by many months, even years. Sometimes they are withdrawn. Also, agencies can suddenly decide to add an item to their regulatory agenda and rush it into the Federal Register.

Title: Clarify Applicability of Res Judicata and Collateral Estoppel   
Abstract: This proposed rule would clarify the applicability of res judicata and collateral estoppel in our administrative review process....
NPRM  04/00/2012

Title: Clarifying Changes to the Title II Regulations (3374P)   
Abstract: These rules amend our regulation to clarify several eligibility criteria for benefits under the Act....
NPRM  08/00/2011

Title: Administrative Waiver of Overpayments   
Abstract: We propose to revise and clarify our regulations addressing the Commissioner's discretion to use blanket waivers for the recovery of an overpayment. Under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (Act), the commissioner "shall" seek repayment of overpayments, unless waiver is appropriate. We believe the Act allows us broader discretion in granting blanket waivers than we currently use. ...
NPRM  01/00/2012
Title: Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Mental Disorders (886F)   
Abstract: Sections 12.00 and 112.00, Mental Disorders, of appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of our regulations describe those mental impairments that we consider severe enough to prevent a person from doing any gainful activity, or that cause marked and severe functional limitations for a child claiming Supplemental Security Income payments under title XVI. We will revise the criteria in these sections to ensure that the medical evaluation criteria are up-to-date and consistent with the latest advances in medical knowledge and treatment.  ...
ANPRM [Advanced NPRM] 03/17/2003  68 FR 12639 
ANPRM Comment Period End  06/16/2003 
NPRM  08/19/2010  75 FR 51336 
NPRM Comment Period End  11/17/2010 
Final Action  03/00/2012 

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