FederalDaily - August 11, 2005
OMB Issues Charge Card Policies
On August 9 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued new charge card
policies to executive branch agencies in an effort to reduce the risk of fraud,
misuse and late payments. Entitled, “Improving Government Charge Card
Management,” the new requirements consolidate and update government charge
card program guidance previously issued. “This new guidance will help
ensure that federal charge cards aren’t misused, that the government
pays its charge card debts on time and that government managers implement strategies
for making smarter procurement decisions,” said OMB Controller Linda
Combs. The requirements in this guidance become effective on October 1, 2005
. For more, go to www.omb.gov.
:: Back to Top ::
OPM Names Medically Underserved Areas
In the July 25 issue of the Federal Register the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) announced that it completed its annual determination of the states that
qualify as “medically underserved areas” under the Federal Employees
Health Benefits (FEHB) Program for calendar year 2006, and published the list,
which was: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota,
West Virginia and Wyoming. This means that Arizona and West Virginia are
being added to the list and Texas is being removed. OPM stated that the FEHB
law requires that a state be designated as a medically underserved area if
25 percent or more of the population lives in an area designated by the Department
of Health and Human Services as a primary medical care manpower shortage area. The
designation requires non-HMO FEHB plans to reimburse beneficiaries, subject
to their contract terms, for covered services obtained from any licensed provider
in these states.
:: Back to Top ::
Army Commander Relieved of Duty
In an unusual move, the Army announced that Gen. Kevin P. Byrnes was relieved
on August 8 from his position as commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine
Command (TRADOC). Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker directed the relief
of Byrnes based on an investigation into his personal conduct. An Army spokesman
said that further details of the investigation could not yet be released. Prior
to assuming command of TRADOC in November 2002, Byrnes served as director of
the Army staff at the Pentagon. As TRADOC commander, Byrnes was responsible
for more than 50,000 soldiers and Army civilian employees operating 33 Army
schools across 16 installations. He was also responsible for recruiting, training
and educating soldiers; developing Army leaders; supporting training in units;
developing doctrine; and establishing standards.
:: Back to Top ::
Los Alamos Lab Employees Exposed to Vapors
Two post doctoral employees at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico
were exposed to hazardous vapors, resulting in one being hospitalized, according
to an Occurrence Report obtained by the Project On Government Oversight (POGO).
A statement by the laboratory said management did not learn of the incident
for about two months. The statement also said the incident is under investigation
and one laboratory employee has been placed on leave pending outcome of the
investigation. One employee experienced temporary shortness of breath and the
other employee experienced prolonged respiratory symptoms and was hospitalized
for six days in July. Doctors preliminarily concluded that the chemical exposure
likely contributed to the employee's condition. To view the report on the incident,
go to www.pogo.org.
:: Back to Top ::
|
