A cross-department health IT system now in testing is moving from merely viewable to actually computable data -- probably the first time this level of interoperability has been achieved in the U.S. and possibly the world, said Dr. Robert Kolodner, interim national coordinator of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The system, called “CHDR” as a composite of the initials for the Veterans Affairs’ and Defense Department’s health IT systems, allows VA and DoD doctors to view prescription and drug allergy information on their patients and makes the information part of the patient’s record in both systems. It alerts doctors from both systems to potential harmful interactions and allergic reactions that doctors from either system have documented.
A top CTIA official expressed outrage Thursday that the South Carolina Department of Corrections plans to go ahead Friday with a demonstration of cellphone jamming technology at a state prison. CTIA has called the test of technology provided by vendor CellAntenna a violation of federal law and asked the FCC to step in. Chris Guttman-McCabe, CTIA vice president, said companies rarely issue a news release to announce plans to “break the law.” State prison officials hope jamming equipment will keep inmates from using cellphones smuggled into their cells.
The Bush administration, after months of speculation, released a letter raising questions about the free broadband proposal circulated by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin for the AWS- 3 band. The letter, by acting NTIA Administrator Meredith Baker, was sent to Rep. Michael Conoway, R-Texas. It touches on some concerns reportedly raised by Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez in a meeting at the White House. Baker says the administration believes spectrum auctions promote investment and innovation. “Auctions without price or product mandates create a level playing field,” the letter said. “Restrictions and conditions on spectrum use, however well-intentioned, are not the most effective or efficient way to encourage development of services or to assist under served areas.”
STANFORD, Calif. -- Google is trying to shift the U.S. online-privacy discussion - which has concentrated on the advertising that the company depends on -- toward specified risks to users, a company lobbyist indicated.
NEW ORLEANS -- State phone regulators see December as a key month, said panelists at the annual NARUC meeting here. Nebraska Public Service Commission member Sue Vanicek said her state’s suit over its power to assess Vonage and other intrastate VoIP providers a 6.95 percent fee to support the state universal service fund will affect USF efforts by other states, as will an FCC ruling expected next month on changing the federal system for ensuring universal phone service and agency controls on intercarrier compensation.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice and request for comments on China's request for World Trade Organization consultations with the U.S. regarding certain U.S. final antidumping and countervailing duty determinations and orders involving four products imported from China.
Philips is pleased that the FCC has approved the use of TV white spaces for unlicensed devices and that the agency “will move forward with rules to facilitate development of new innovative devices that will provide the gateway,” a spokeswoman said Wednesday. The FCC approved the order late Tuesday, capping a long fight between major high-tech companies and broadcasters.
Embarq urged Ohio regulators to dismiss Office of Consumer Counsel objections to its petition for retail rate deregulation in 44 exchanges. Embarq called “baseless” OCC assertions that meaningful local competition doesn’t exist in 29 of the exchanges. The OCC said Buckeye Telesystem, Level 3, Vonage, Packet 8 and Sprint shouldn’t count because they have no explicit connections in the 29 exchanges. But Embarq (Case 08-1041-TP-BLS) told the Public Utilities Commission it can prove these companies are linked to facilities of Time Warner Cable and Buckeye Cable, and that it has filed records of ported numbers, white pages directory listings and E-911 connections for these companies in exchanges challenged by the OCC. Embarq said Level 3 also counts because it’s been acting as a numbering resource for VoIP providers Vonage and Packet 8. Embarq denounced an OCC claim that the companies shouldn’t count as competitors because they don’t offer local services at comparable rates. The company said nothing in the law requires that competitors offer comparable rates to count as rivals. If approved, Embarq could raise monthly rates for basic exchange service $1.25 and monthly caller ID 50 cents, with all other retail service rates deregulated.
The FCC approved Tuesday an order opening the TV white spaces for use by unlicensed portable devices. The action followed a long fight between major high-tech companies and broadcasters. The order takes what a commission official called a “cautious” approach that offers broadcasters and other 700 MHz incumbents protections from harmful interference. The vote came after a four-year examination by the FCC of the future use of the white spaces.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA1) contains several provisions expected to affect textile and apparel products, including children's textiles and apparel.