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ASPE.hhs.gov Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

HHS Information Quality Web Site

Information Requests for Corrections and HHS' Responses

[ HHS Information Quality Main Page ]

Under the HHS Information Quality Guidelines, Requests for Correction (RFC) and Requests for Reconsideration (RFR) may be submitted to HHS. HHS responds to these requests.

The purposes of the Information Quality Guidelines are to provide policy and procedural guidance to agency staff, and to inform the public about agency policies and procedures. HHS views the guidelines as an evolving document and process. HHS will continually review the performance of the guidelines in the context of agency statutes and missions and will make revisions to the guidelines as necessary.

Status of HHS Information Quality Requests

  1. CDC — Fluoridation.
    CDC received a request from a citizen on November 19, 2002 concerning fluoridation information. CDC responded on January 9, 2003. CDC received an appeal on January 19, 2003 and responded on March 9, 2003.
  2. CDC — Gonorrhea Link.
    CDC received a request on January 8, 2003 from a contract employee about the establishment of an additional electronic link for gonorrhea information on the CDC web site. CDC responded on March 3, 2003. CDC received an appeal on March 28, 2003 and responded on April 24, 2003.
  3. CDC — Fluoroquinolone.
    CDC received a request on December 13, 2002 from the Animal Health Institute, an animal health products manufacturer trade association about information on the use of an antibiotic (fluoroquinolone) in the production of Campylobacter-resistant poultry. CDC responded to the request on March 13, 2003. An appeal was received on March 27, 2003. On July 11, 2003, CDC responded to the appeal.
  4. FDA — Campylobacter Risk Assessment.
    FDA received a request from the Animal Health Institute about information used in a FDA risk assessment on the impact of fluoroquinolone associated with Campylobacter in poultry consumption on January 23, 3003. FDA responded on March 22, 2003. FDA received an appeal on April 16, 2003. FDA responded on September 16, 2003. (The Administrative Law Judge's decision referenced in the FDA response to the appeal was issued on March 16, 2004. The decision upheld the risk assessment.)
  5. NTP — Anthraquinone Abstract.
    The National Toxicology Program, NIH received a request by the Chemical Products Corporation concerning information about anthraquinone that appeared in an abstract on the National Toxicology Program web site on November 17, 2002. NIH responded to the request on March 19, 2003. NIH received an appeal on March 28, 2003. NIH responded to the appeal on September 8, 2003.
  6. CMS — SafeBlood.
    CMS receive a request by SafeBlood Technologies on November 14, 2002 and January 23, 2003 concerning information about SafeBlood on Medicare fiscal intermediary Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield's web site. Although CMS reclassified the request as a coverage issue for a period of time, CMS determined that, at least in part, the request raised an information quality issue and wrote a response on April 17, 2003.
  7. NTP — Nickel.
    The National Toxicology Program, NIH received a request from several nickel product groups concerning information about metallic nickel and nickel compounds in the National Toxicology Program's 10th Report on Carcinogens (RoC) on April 11, 2003. NIH responded to the request on October 24, 2003. NIH received an appeal on November 17, 2003. NIH responded to the appeal on October 27, 2004.
  8. NIH — Sodium Intake.
    The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH received a request from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Salt Institute concerning the release of additional data on the impact of sodium intake on blood pressure from the DASH-Sodium Study on May 14, 2003. NIH responded to the request on August 19, 2003. NIH received an appeal on September 22, 2003. NIH responded to the appeal on February 11, 2004. On March 31, 2004, the Salt Institute and the Chamber of Commerce filed suit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia against HHS over NIH dissemination of information about the DASH-Sodium Trial (Case No. 04-CV-359 GBL). On January 25, 2005, the Court upheld the federal government's position by finding that an agency's decision to deny a party's information quality complaint is not reviewable by the Court (See End-of-Year Report for FY 2004)
  9. NTP — Styrene.
    The National Toxicology Program, NIH received a request from the Styrene Information and Research Center concerning a press release and fact sheet on June 12, 2003. NIH responded on August 14, 2003.
  10. OPHS & USDA — Dietary Guidelines.
    The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) and the Department of Agriculture received a request from the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness concerning the 2005 Dietary Guidelines and the WHO Report on September 8, 2003. OPHS and the Department of Agriculture (in a joint letter) responded on January 8, 2004.
  11. FDA — Mercury in Fish.
    FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition received a request from the Environmental Working Group concerning FDA's Draft Advisory for Women About Avoiding Mercury in Fish on December 22, 2003. FDA responded on February 15, 2005. FDA recieved an appeal on March 16, 2005. HHS responded to the appeal on May 16, 2005.
  12. NTP — Anthraquinone Report.
    The National Toxicology Program, NIH received a request from the Chemical Products Corporation on February 24, 2004 concerning information about anthraquinone in a revised draft of NTP Technical Report 494 (TR494) that was made available for public comment. NIH responded to the request on July 16, 2004. NIH received an appeal on July 29, 2004. NIH responded to the appeal on January 31, 2005.
  13. NIH — Smokeless Tobacco.
    The National Institute of Aging, NIH received a request from the National Legal and Policy Center on March 17, 2004 concerning the dissemination of information on smokeless tobacco. NIH responded to the request on June 29, 2004.
  14. NTP — Naphthalene.
    The National Toxicology Program, NIH received a request on April 1, 2004 from the American Chemistry Council concerning information about naphthalene disseminated as part of the process of developing the 11th Report on Carcinogens (RoC). NIH responded to the request on January 18, 2005. NIH received an appeal on February 18,2005. NIH responded to the appeal on November 2, 2005.
  15. FDA — Pain Products Campaign.
    FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research received a request on May 18, 2004 from McNeil Consumer and Specialty Products concerning the FDA's consumer campaign on the safe use of over the counter pain products including acetaminophen and nonsterodidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAID). FDA responded to the request on August 25, 2004. FDA received an appeal on October 22, 2004. FDA responded to the appeal on March 7, 2005.
  16. NTP — Report on Carcinogens.
    The National Toxicology Program, NIH received a request from the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness, the Kansas Corn Growers Association and others on June 28, 2004 concerning review procedures used for the 12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC). NIH responded to the request on Feburary 16, 2005.
  17. NTP — Vinyl Chloride.
    The National Toxicology Program, NIH received a request on July 1, 2004 from the American Chemistry Council concerning vinyl chloride information in the 11th and 12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC). NIH responded to the request on January 18, 2005.
  18. NTP — Atrazine.
    The National Toxicology Program, NIH received a request from the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness, the Kansas Corn Growers Association and others on July 16, 2004 concerning information disseminated in a NTP Notice about the possible listing of atrazine as a "known" or "reasonably anticipated" human carcinogen in the 12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC). NIH responded to the request on May 25, 2005. NIH received an appeal on June 24, 2005. NIH received a request for withdrawal of the appeal on December 16, 2005. On January 4, 2006, NIH agreed to the withdrawal.
  19. OPHS — Healthfinder.
    The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) received a request from a citizen on July 16, 2004 concerning complementary and alternative medicine links on the healthfinder web site. OPHS responded to the request on December 12, 2004.
  20. OPHS — Medical Marijuana.
    HHS received a request from Americans for Safe Access, a medical marijuana advocacy group on October 6, 2004. The request concerned information on the continuation of marijuana control under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The Office of Public Health and Science responded to the request on April 20, 2005. HHS received an appeal on May 20, 2005. HHS responded to the request on June 12, 2006.

    On February 21, 2007, the Americans for Safe Access filed suit against HHS and FDA (see e1). On July 24, 2007 the Northern District Court of California dismissed the case. The opinion stated that there is no final agency action amenable to review under the Administrative Practice Act (APA) and that the HHS decision on a request for correction is not reviewable in federal court ( e.2). On August 17, 2007, the Americans for Safe Access filed an amended complaint (e.3). On November 20, 2007, the court granted the government's motion to dismiss. On December 20, 2007, ASA filed another appeal. On October 14, 2010, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal.
  21. NTP–Anthraquinone Study
    The National Toxicology Program, NIH received a request from Airepel Humane Bird Management (a pest control business) on Jan 21, 2005. The request concerns a NTP study (TR 494) on Anthraquinone. NIH responded to the request on April 21, 2005.
  22. FDA — OMEGA Letter
    FDA Received a request from OMEGA Laboratories about the removal of a letter from the FDA web site on May 23, 2005. HHS responded to the request on January 18, 2007
  23. CDC/ATSDR — Illinois Beach Park Assessment
    The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry received a request on July 26, 2005 from a private citizen concerning the Illinois Beach Park Public Health Assessment. ATSDR responded to the request on December 6, 2005. ATSDR/CDC received an appeal on December 23, 2005. ATSDR responded to the appeal on July 20, 2006.
  24. ACF — Grantee Abstinence Curricula
    The Administration for Children and Families received a request on September 13, 2005 from Advocates for Youth and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States about ACF grantee abstinence curricula. ACF responded to the request on January 23, 2006.
  25. CDC/ATSDR — Mixtures Guidance
    The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) received a request on December 5, 2005 from the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness, the Kansas Corn Growers Association, and the Triazine Network concerning the draft Mixtures Guidance. ATSDR responded on September 12, 2006.
  26. SAMHSA — Smokeless Tobacco Risks.
    The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) received a request from the National Legal and Policy Center on December 22, 2005 concerning the dissemination of information on smokeless tobacco. SAMHSA responded to the request on May 10, 2006.
  27. NIH — Smokeless Tobacco Ingredients
    The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH received a request from Swedish Match on April 3, 2006, concerning the dissemination of information on smokeless tobacco. NIH responded on September 5, 2006.
  28. NTP — Technical Report 494 (Anthraquinone)
    The National Toxicology Program, NIH received a request on June 6, 2006 from the Chemical Products Corporation concerning NTP Technical Report 494. NTP responded to the request on December 22, 2006. On January 5, 2007, HHS received an appeal. HHS responded to the request on September 22, 2008.
  29. FDA — Wound Therapy
    FDA received a request. on May 23, 2006 from BlueSky Medical Group, Inc. concerning wound closure. FDA responded on July 31, 2006.
  30. SAMHSA — Smokeless Tobacco
    SAMHSA received a request from the National Legal and Policy Center on June 16, 2006 concerning information on smokeless tobacco. SAMHSA responded to the request on July 21, 2006.
  31. FDA — Allergens Threshold Report
    FDA received a request from a private citizen on August 2, 2006 concerning information on approaches to establishing thresholds for allergens in food. FDA responded to the request on December 15, 2006. On January 17, 2007 FDA received an appeal. FDA responded to the request on July 31, 2007.
  32. FDA — Genasense
    FDA received a request from Genta Incorporated on May 17, 2007 concerning FDA’s presentation on Genasense to the Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee. FDA responded to the request on February, 2008.
  33. CDC — Measles Vaccine
    CDC received a request on May 5, 2008 from the International Hyperbaric Medical Association concerning CDC information on measles vaccinations. CDC responded to the request on October 22, 2008.
  34. CDC — Influenza Deaths
    CDC received a request on October 21, 2008 from the International Hyperbaric Medical Association concerning CDC information on influenza deaths. CDC responded to the request on March 30, 2009.
  35. CDC/ATSDR — Formaldehyde Levels
    ATSDR received a request on September 8, 2009 from the Formaldehyde Council concerning the “Final Report on Formaldehyde Levels in FEMA-Supplied Travel Trailers, Park Models, and Mobile Homes.” ATSDR responded to the request on December 17, 2010. (Note: At the request of the Formaldehyde Council, the contact person for the response has changed.)
  36. NTP — Styrene Background Document
    The National Toxicology Program, NIH received a request on October 26, 2009 from the Styrene Information and Research Center concerning the Report on Carcinogens Background Document for Styrene. NTP responded to the request on December 23, 2010. NTP received an appeal on February 11, 2011. NTP responded to the appeal on June 8, 2011.
  37. FDA — Menthol Cigarette Presentations
    The FDA received a request on September 20, 2010, from the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness concerning presentations made about the impact of menthol cigarettes at an Advisory Committee meeting. FDA responded to the request on May 11, 2011.
  38. CDC/ATSDR — Toxicological Profile for Styrene
    ATSDR received a request on February 13, 2011 from the Styrene Information and Research Center concerning the ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Styrene. ATSDR responded on December 9, 2011.
  39. FDA — Menthol Cigarette Background Paper
    The FDA received a request on March 17, 2011 from the Lorillard Tobacco Company concerning a background paper about menthol cigarettes distributed to an advisory committee. FDA responded to the request on December 2, 2011. FDA received an appeal on January 4, 2012.*
  40. NIH — Cigar Smoking
    The National Cancer Institute, NIH, received a request on June 2, 2011 from the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association concerning a Fact Sheet on Cigar Smoking and Cancer. NCI responded to the request on February 24, 2012.
  41. CDC/ATSDR — Chesapeake Well Site Health Consultation
    ATSDR received a request on January 23, 2012 from the Chesapeake Energy Corporation concerning the report on the Chesapeake Well Site Health Consultation.*
  42. NIH — Gonzalez Regiment Trial
    NIH received a request on March 9, 2012 from Capitol Strategy Consultants, Inc. concerning information that NIH disseminates about the Gonzalez Regiment Pancreatic Cancer Trial. NIH responded to the request on July 24, 2012.
  43. FDA — Defibrillator Training Link
    FDA received a request on January 2, 2013 from the Health & Safety Institute concerning information that FDA disseminates about a link to defibrillator training courses.*

* Currently active

Last Updated:  01/25/13
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