Federal Daily - March 12, 2008

Army Releases Results of Latest Mental Health Study

A new Army study of the mental health of troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan found that third and fourth combat deployments were wearing down soldiers’ mental health, reaffirming earlier studies that examined the stress caused by multiple deployments. The Army’s Mental Health Advisory Team (MHAT) study—the fifth such study since the Iraq war began—was released last week and supported findings from last year’s MHAT that troops on repeat deployments have higher rates of psychological problems and are more likely to take out their aggressions on Iraqi civilians. Both showed that soldiers who screen positive for mental health problems and anger are significantly more likely to report engaging in unethical behaviors. Also, the study found that annual suicide rates for soldiers in both Iraq and Afghanistan were elevated relative to historic Army rates, but that self-reporting of suicidal thoughts peaked around mid-deployment and then dropped off. Among the suggestions, the report recommended the Army increase the number of family-life providers to work with spouses and family members as well as allow civilian contractors to fill some in-theater behavioral health positions. To see more, go to: www.army.mil/-newsreleases/2008/03/06/7788-army-announces-fifth-mental-health-advisory-team-mhat-assessment.

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FDA Names Agency Veteran to CDER

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 10 announced that Janet Woodcock, a 21-year FDA veteran, will take charge of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), the agency’s drug review and safety division. Woodcock, 59, an internist and rheumatologist, had been acting CDER director while also serving as the FDA’s deputy commissioner and chief medical officer. She will give up those duties as she takes over the drug safety post, which she previously held from 1994 through 2005. She returns to a division that has been recently beset by questions from Congress and the public over the safety of the nation’s drug supply. “Dr. Woodcock’s outstanding scientific credentials and historical knowledge of the complexities involved in drug safety and regulation make her uniquely qualified,” for the CDER position, said FDA Commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach. Woodcock has a medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School. To see more, go to: www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01804.html.

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IRS to Mail Out Special Stimulus Package Info Packets

The IRS next week will begin mailing information packages to 20.5 million recipients of Social Security or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits that will help them get their 2008 economic stimulus payments. The info packet mailing effort, announced by the IRS on March 10, helps implement the economic stimulus bill recently signed into law by President Bush. It authorizes a payment of $300 ($600 on a joint return) if taxpayers had at least $3,000 of qualifying income last year. The IRS info package is specially designed for people who may qualify for an economic stimulus payment but who normally aren’t required to file a tax return. Each IRS package contains an informational notice, tips for completing Form 1040A, a sample Form 1040A and an actual Form 1040A for the filer to complete, the IRS said in a statement. “We want to put everything right at the fingertips of the people who need this information the most,” said Linda Stiff, acting IRS commissioner. The stimulus payments will not have any effect on eligibility for federal benefits, the IRS said. To see more, go to: www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179949,00.html.

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GSA Announces Revised 2008 Per Diem Rates

The General Services Administration (GSA) on March 7 announced increases to the Fiscal Year 2008 per diem allowances for several locations within the Continental United States. Locations affected are within the states of Alabama, California, Illinois, Missouri, New York and Texas. The rate changes become effective March 17, 2008. To see more, go to:  www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?pageTypeId=8199&channelId=-13259&P=&contentId=24164&contentType=GSA_BASIC.

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