HHS OIG Audit Report: State and Local Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Medical Surge, September 2009: “An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of a highly infectious influenza virus that can cause serious illness in humans. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that even a mild influenza pandemic could cause between 2 and 7.4 million deaths worldwide. In February 2008, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within HHS asked the Office of Inspector General to evaluate State and local preparedness for influenza pandemic, particularly with regard to medical surge and vaccine and antiviral drug distribution and dispensing.”
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Daily Archives: September 21, 2009
President Obama, OSTP, and National Economic Council Launch Strategy for American Innovation
Executive Office of the President – National Economic Council – Office of the President National Economic Council, Office of Science and Technology Policy: A Strategy for American Innovation: Driving Toward Sustainable Growth and Quality Jobs, September 2009 “Since taking office, President Obama has taken historic steps to lay the foundation for the innovation economy of… Continue Reading
FCC Chairman on Improving Broadband and Mobile Communications
Brookings: “Recognizing the need to expand the U.S. broadband network to ensure Americas infrastructure and economic development, Congress tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with developing a national broadband plan by February 17, 2010. On September 21, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski delivered remarks [link to transcript – 22 pages, PDF] on the national broadband plan… Continue Reading
Grant Thornton Business Optimism Index, August 2009
“The Grant Thornton Business Optimism Index is a confidence measure of U.S. business leaders. The Index is a composite score for three questions: U.S. economy: Do you feel the U.S. economy will improve/remain the same/get worse in the next six months? Business growth: How optimistic are you about the growth of your own business over… Continue Reading
Census Bureau Releases 2008 American Community Survey Data
News release: “The U.S. Census Bureau today released the latest American Community Survey (ACS) data, providing a statistical portrait of the characteristics of the nations population in 2008. / Detailed tables / ACS Media Toolkit / 2008 ACS Questionnaire. According to the new snapshot, one-in-four people in Texas (24.1 percent) lacked health insurance in 2008,… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports: High-Containment Labs, TARP, Flood Insurance, Low-Income and Minority Serving Institutions
High-Containment Laboratories: National Strategy for Oversight Is Needed, GAO-09-574, September 21, 2009 Troubled Asset Relief Program: Status of Government Assistance Provided to AIG, GAO-09-975, September 21, 2009 Flood Insurance: Opportunities Exist to Improve Oversight of the WYO Program, GAO-09-455, August 21, 2009 Low-Income and Minority Serving Institutions: Management Attention to Long-standing Concerns Needed to Improve… Continue Reading
DOJ Filing on Google Book Setttlement – Digital Library Delayed
Follow up to previous postings on what is becoming the saga of the Google Book Settlement, the following articles, legal documents and commentary today: New York Times: Google Working to Revise Digital Books Settlement Author’s Guild: “Beating their midnight deadline by about 90 minutes, the Justice Department on Friday filed a brief calling for modifications… Continue Reading
The Conference Board Task Force on Executive Compensation
The Conference Board Task Force on Executive Compensation, September 2009 “The current economic crisis, precipitated by the meltdown in the financial services industry, has led to a loss of public trust in corporations and other institutions. Executive compensation has become a flashpoint for this frustration and anger. One of the missions of The Conference Board… Continue Reading
Six-in-Ten Workers Live Paycheck to Paycheck, Reveals New CareerBuilder Survey
News release: “Counting down the hours until payday? Youre not alone. As the economic downturn trudges on, many workers are struggling with household budgets. Six-in-ten (61 percent) workers report they always or usually live paycheck to paycheck just to make ends meet, up from 49 percent last year and 43 percent in 2007. This is… Continue Reading
In down economy, libraries are on frontline of connecting Americans with online government, job resources
News release: “With national unemployment topping 9 percent and many Americans seeking online information and new technology skills that can help keep them and their families afloat in hard times, U.S. public libraries are first responders in a time of economic uncertainty. Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2008-2009, a… Continue Reading
