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Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Department
of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Freedom of Information Regulations (45
CFR Part 5), the DHHS policy is to answer all requests as accurately and
completely as possible from existing records. In order to accomplish this
most efficiently we require all requests to be submitted in writing, by
postal service, facsimile, or messenger; requests must contain the
requestor's postal address and the name of the person responsible for paying any fees that may be charged. A phone number where we can reach the requester to get clarification of the request or resolve other issues concerning the request, is strongly recommended.
Providing the request in writing assures that all the rights provided by the
FOIA and these regulations are protected (for example, the right to administratively appeal any denials we may make and the right to have our decisions reviewed in
Federal court).
The FOIA applies only to federal agencies and does not create a right of
access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local
government agencies. Each state has its own public access laws that should
be consulted for access to state and local records.
Each agency is responsible for meeting its FOIA responsibilities for its own
records. The FOIA contact and information related to the Administration on
Aging can be found at http://www.aoa.gov/foia/default.htm.
Other HHS program services telephone numbers and Web site locations are
listed in the HHS Information and Hotline Directory located at
www.hhs.gov/about/referlst.html. An additional online resource available is
the HHS Government Information Locator Service (GILS). See
www.hhs.gov/asmb/oirm/newhhsgils.htm.
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