Obama tasks HHS with creating heroin prevention program

Health and Human Services has gotten a new assignment from the President. As they often do, this presidential initiative means work for selected agencies. At a conference in Atlanta, President Barack Obama outlined several measures to curb heroin and prescription opiate addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration has a new $11 million grant program to administer. HHS headquarters issued new proposed rules for doctors prescribing opiate alternatives, and for the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program. (White House)

New Army soldiers may have to go through longer basic training. ArmyTimes reports the branch may want to add more time so it can focus on critical thinking and increasing trainees’ physical fitness. However, Army officials are also looking at rearranging events within the current length of time. Right now, basic training lasts around 10 weeks. Last October, the Army introduced a series of tests all new soldiers must pass in order to graduate. (Army Times)

Representatives from three contracting trade associations met with Defense Secretary Ash Carter to discuss DoD’s plan for upcoming acquisition reform in Congress. Bloomberg Government reports the Professional Services Council, the National Defense Industrial Association and the Aerospace Industries Association sent people. Carter held the meeting to lay out his priorities and reassure industry their concerns are being heard. (Bloomberg Government)

More