OCC Issues Additional Guidance on Credit Card Account Rate Increases
Source: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a bulletin today on provisions of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (Credit CARD Act). The bulletin describes an interim final rule issued by the Federal Reserve Board that requires banks to notify customers 45 days in advance of any rate increase or significant changes in credit card account terms. The rules also require lenders to disclose that their customers have the right to reject those changes.
However, under the rules, the new rates or terms can be applied to any transaction that occurs more than 14 days after the notice is provided – even if the customer ultimately rejects the changes. The rules do not require creditors to tell their customers that new terms can be applied during the 45-day period.
Until the issue is clarified in Federal Reserve rulemaking, the OCC is directing national banks to include an additional disclosure to notify consumers of this consequence. The OCC believes that this additional disclosure will prevent consumer confusion, particularly for customers who opt to reject the changes in terms.
Cash for Clunkers Wraps Up with Nearly 700,000 Car Sales and Increased Fuel Efficiency, U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Declares Program “Wildly Successful”
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The CARS program came to a close Tuesday night with nearly 700,000 clunkers taken off the roads, replaced by far more fuel efficient vehicles. Rebate applications worth $2.877 billion were submitted by the 8 p.m. deadline, under the $3 billion provided by Congress to run the program.
Cars made in America topped the most-purchased list, from the Ford Focus to the Toyota Corolla to the Honda Civic.
Top 10 New Vehicles Purchased
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Ford Focus FWD
5. Hyundai Elantra
6. Nissan Versa
7. Toyota Prius
8. Honda Accord
9. Honda Fit
10. Ford Escape FWD
Top 10 Trade-in Vehicles
1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Ford Explorer 2WD
5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
6. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
7. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
8. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
9. Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van
+ Complete statistics (PDF; 31 KB)
Panel Assesses Evidence for the Collection and Use of Family Health History Information
Source: National Institutes of Health
Though most Americans are familiar with completing a questionnaire about their family health history when visiting health care providers, an independent panel was convened by the National Institutes of Health this week to critically assess exactly what we know and what we need to learn about how this process relates to improving health. The conference focused on the use of family history in the primary care setting for common diseases such as diabetes, stroke, cancer, and heart disease. Earlier today, the panel released their findings in a statement that is available at http://consensus.nih.gov.
Reporting a positive history of a family disease or condition to a health care provider could prompt a range of next steps, from lifestyle changes including diet and exercise to referral to genetic services or other specialists. The panel perceived a need to approach their assessment from a balanced perspective, appreciating the potential for both benefits and harms of obtaining and acting upon family history information. Their statement recognized the longstanding use and intuitive appeal of this relatively simple and noninvasive tool to try to improve health outcomes for at-risk individuals. The collection of a family history may also foster productive relationships between individuals and their clinicians. At the same time, theoretical harms, such as overtreatment and patient anxiety, should be taken into account. The panel’s findings and recommendations were aimed primarily at the research and health professional communities, rather than the public at large, and intended to inform the research agenda rather than influence current clinical practice.
+ NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: Family History and Improving Health
FDA Consumer Health Information Updates
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today released its latest listing of consumer health information updates. All articles can be accessed from the agency’s Web page for consumers.
+ Facing Facts About Acne
+ FDA Expands Access to Investigational Drugs
+ FDA’s MedWatch Safety Alerts: August 2009
+ Warning on Body Building Products Marketed as Containing Steroids or Steroid-Like Substances
Children of Immigrants: National and State Characteristics
Source: Urban Institute
Up-to-date state information on children of immigrants is essential for social policies that affect children and families. This brief, accompanying the Urban Institute’s interactive Children of Immigrants Data Tool, describes the national and state characteristics of children of immigrants based on recent American Community Survey data. Since children of immigrants account for almost a quarter (24 percent) of children under age 5, their share in the school-age population will increase, with important implications for education policy. In addition, children of immigrants’ poverty and low-income rates vary across states, highlighting the importance of state and local policies in promoting children’s well-being.
Also visit the interactive Children of Immigrants Data Tool for comprehensive information on the characteristics of children of immigrants nationwide and for individual states and the District of Columbia.
+ Full Report (PDF: 224 KB)
2009 College-Bound Seniors Are Most Diverse Group Ever to Take SAT® As More Minority Students Prepare for Higher Education
Source: College Board
The College Board announced today that this year’s graduating class has the most college-bound students taking the SAT® in history, and this class also stands out as having the most diverse participation in SAT history.
More than 1.5 million students (1,530,128) in the class of 2009 took the SAT, the most widely used and researched standardized college admission test. Of those, 40.0 percent were minority students. This is an increase from 38.0 percent in 2008 and 29.2 percent in 1999, reflecting the steady growth in SAT minority participation rates.
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On a long-term basis, students’ mathematics scores have experienced an upward trend and are now four points higher than a decade ago; conversely, critical reading scores have declined somewhat and are now four points below what they were 10 years ago. This year’s college-bound seniors averaged 501 in critical reading, 515 in mathematics and 493 in writing. In 2008, the average score in critical reading was 502; in mathematics, 515; and in writing, 494. The writing section of the SAT was introduced in 2005. In 2006, the first year the writing scores were reported for the college-bound seniors cohort, the average writing score was 497.
National Construction Fatality Rate Declines 47 Percent While Safety Incidents Are Down 38 Percent Over the Past 10 Years
Source: Associated General Contractors of America
The national construction fatality rate declined 47 percent and the number of recordable safety incidents dropped 38 percent since the federal government switched to a safety oversight approach known as “collaborative safety” in 1998 according to an analysis of federal safety data released by the Associated General Contractors of America today.
“There is no doubt that the collaborative approach is working,” said Chuck Penn, the executive director of the association’s Shreveport chapter. “While even one fatality is too many, it is hard to think of another government program providing so much improvement in so little time.”
The collaborative safety approach represented a significant shift in federal safety oversight when it was first introduced by the Clinton Administration, Penn noted. The approach creates incentives for companies to find and fix safety problems before incidents occur while maintaining strong penalties for companies that let safety problems lag until someone is hurt.
Penn noted that in 1998 there were 1.7 fatalities for every million dollars invested in construction, while today that rate is 0.9 fatalities, a 47 percent drop. Relative to the size of the construction workforce, the fatality rate dropped from 12.9 in 2000 to 9.6 fatalities per 100,000 construction workers in 2008, a 25 percent decline.
He added that while the value and size of the construction market grew significantly, the number of construction fatalities declined from 1,171 in 1998 to 969 in 2008, a 17 percent drop. In addition, the construction safety incidence rate fell 38 percent from 8.8 per 100 workers to just 5.4 per 100 workers while the rate injured construction workers missed work declined 42 percent from 3.3 per 100 workers to 1.9 between 1998 and 2007.
+ Safety data (PDF: 93 KB)
ANR Foundation’s Gaming the Legislature Series: The Gaming Industry Stacks the Deck Against Smokefree Workplaces in Indiana
Source: American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation
A study commissioned by the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation reveals gaming interests reported more than $3.6 million in lobbying expenditures in a two-year period ending April 30, 2009, according to Indiana public records.
Individuals employed by lobbying organizations that represent casinos and horse tracks reported giving more than $228,000 to state political party committees and legislative caucus committees in 2008.
House Speaker Patrick Bauer’s reelection campaign took in at least $60,000 in donations in 2008 from horse racing industry supporters, employees of lobbying firms for casinos and affiliated contributors, including $39,000 in one day alone.
The facts were made public in the “ANR Foundation’s Gaming the Legislature Series: The Gaming Industry Stacks the Deck Against Smokefree Workplaces in Indiana.”
Cynthia Hallett, Executive Director of the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, said the report shows how casinos and allied gaming interests spend enormous amounts of money to buy influence to try to tilt the legislative process in their favor.
“The millions of dollars spent by the gaming industry in Indiana to influence legislation have had a toxic payout for Indiana’s casino workers and the public. When casinos use this influence to defeat a common sense comprehensive smokefree workplace law, the entire state suffers the consequences,” said Hallett. “I hope legislators are able to look past this vast amount of special interest money to act in the best interest of the people of Indiana.”
+ Executive Summary (PDF; 59 KB)
+ Full Report (PDF; 85 KB)
Nationwide Study of Real-Time Internet Connection Speeds Shows U.S. Still Lags behind Other Advanced Nations, Posts Small Gains Last Two Years
Source: Communications Workers of America
New research indicates that between 2007 and 2009, the average download Internet speed in the United States has increased by only 1.6 megabits per second (mbps), from 3.5 mbps in 2007 to 5.1 mbps in 2009. At this rate, it will take the United States 15 years to catch up with current Internet speeds in South Korea, the country with the fastest average Internet connections.[1]
The Speed Matters Speed Test, a project of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), measures the speed of a user’s Internet connection. The 2009 report is based on aggregated data from more than 413,000 Internet users who took the online test between May 2008 and May 2009. The Speed Test, a full list of 2009 state rankings and a comparison to 2007 and 2008 averages are available at www.speedmatters.org.
The 2009 Speed Test shows that only 20 percent of those who took the test have Internet speeds in the range of the top three ranked countries – South Korea, Japan and Sweden. Even more alarming, 18 percent do not even meet the FCC definition for current-generation broadband as an always-on Internet connection of at least 768 kbps downstream.
The data also confirms that where a customer lives is a good indicator of Internet connection speed. With some exceptions, if you live in a Northeastern or Mid-Atlantic state, you are likely to have good high-speed Internet options. The five fastest states are: Delaware (9.9 mbps), Rhode Island (9.8 mbps), New Jersey (8.9 mbps), Massachusetts (8.6 mbps) and New York (8.4 mbps).
However, if you live in a Southern or Western state, access to high-speed Internet is less likely. Mississippi (3.7 mbps), South Carolina (3.6 mbps), Arkansas (3.1 mbps), Idaho (2.6 mbps) and Alaska (2.3 mbps) have some of the slowest Internet connections speeds, according to the study.
Individual state reports available.
As Student Debt Rises, More Undergraduates Go Straight to Most Dangerous Loans
Source: Institute for College Access & Success, Project on Student Debt (Pew Charitable Trusts)
In 2007-08, nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of undergraduate students who borrowed private student loans did not take out all they could in safer, more affordable federal loans, according to an analysis (PDF) released today by the Project on Student Debt. In addition, the proportion of all undergraduates who took out private loans increased dramatically – from five percent in 2003-04 to 14 percent in 2007-08.
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Like credit cards, private loans usually have variable interest rates that are higher for those least able afford them – as high as 18 percent in 2008. But unlike credit card debt, private loans are nearly impossible to discharge in bankruptcy. They also lack important consumer protections that come with federal student loans. Private loan borrowing has slowed since the credit crunch, but these risky loans remain available from major lenders.
+ Full Report (PDF; 291 KB)
Global Warming Bringing More Extreme Heat Waves
Source: National Wildlife Federation
More extremely hot summer days are projected for every part of the country, detailed in a new report from the National Wildlife Federation and Physicians for Social Responsibility.
“Global warming is bringing more frequent and severe heat waves and the result will be serious for vulnerable populations,” said Dr. Amanda Staudt, climate scientist, National Wildlife Federation. “That means air pollution in urban areas could get worse, bringing increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and asthma attacks. Children, the elderly, poor, and people of color are especially vulnerable to these effects.”
+ Full Report (PDF: 2.9 MB)
The Budget and Economic Outlook: An Update
Source: Congressional Budget Office
From CBO Director’s Blog:
Today CBO issued its annual summer update of the budget and economic outlook. CBO estimates that the federal budget deficit for 2009 will total $1.6 trillion, which, at 11.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), will be the highest since World War II. That deficit figure results from a combination of weak revenues and elevated spending associated with the economic downturn and financial turmoil. The deficit has been boosted by various federal policies implemented in response, including the stimulus legislation and aid for the financial, housing, and automotive sectors.
CBO estimates that, as the economy recovers, if current laws and policies remained in place, the deficit would shrink but remain above $500 billion per year, or more than 3 percent of GDP, throughout the 2010–2019 period. As a result, debt held by the public would continue to grow as a percentage of GDP during that time. That debt, which was as low as 33 percent of GDP in 2001, would reach an estimated 54 percent of GDP this year and grow to 68 percent of GDP by 2019.
GSA Releases FY 2010 Federal Per Diem Rates
Source: U.S. General Services Administration
Per diem rates for federal travel in FY 2010 will increase slightly over FY 2009 rates, the U.S. General Services Administration announced today at the National Business Travel Association Conference in San Diego. The FY 2010 rates become effective October 1, 2009.
Per diem is the allowance for lodging (excluding taxes), meals and incidental expenses incurred by federal employees on official travel. The maximum rate for the continental United States is established by GSA.
GSA uses the average daily rate, a widely accepted lodging industry performance measure, to determine lodging rates for federal employees in each of the 402 areas where rates are higher than the standard continental U.S. rate of $70. Rates in some of these areas decreased slightly, but rates as a whole saw a marginal increase. The standard rate, which affects more than 2,600 counties within the continental United States, remains unchanged from the last two years.
Defense Business Board Issues Final NSPS Report
Source: U.S. Department of Defense
The Defense Business Board delivered its final report last Wednesday on the National Security Personnel System to Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III and Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, completing an independent review of NSPS, a Department of Defense civilian personnel management system under which more than 200,000 DoD employees currently operate.
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DoD and the Office of Personnel Management jointly announced the review of NSPS on March 16. A task group of the Defense Business Board was subsequently created in May and, met with union leaders and DoD stakeholders, and conducted two public hearings in June. During the three month period of their review, the task group received more than 900 comments from the public. The task group presented their findings to the full Defense Business Board for deliberation and approval in a public session on July 16, 2009.
+ Full Report (PDF; 640 KB)
Mobile ID Device: Best Practice Recommendation (PDF; 501 KB)
Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology
From annotation:
A new publication that recommends best practices for the next generation of portable biometric acquisition devices—Mobile ID—has been published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Devices that gather, process and transmit an individual’s biometric data—fingerprints, facial and iris images—for identification are proliferating. Previous work on standards for these biometric devices has focused primarily on getting different stationary and desktop systems with hardwired processing pathways to work together in an interoperable manner. But a new generation of small, portable and versatile biometric devices are raising new issues for interoperability.
“The proliferation of smaller devices including advanced personal digital assistants (PDAs), ultra-portable personal computers and high-speed cellular networks has made portable biometric systems a reality,” computer scientist Shahram Orandi says. “While the portable systems have made leaps and bounds in terms of capability, there are still intrinsic limitations that must be factored into the big picture to ensure interoperability with the larger, more established environments such as desktop or large server-based systems.”
