Q. I recently submitted a FOIA request to the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services. In its acknowledgment letter, the agency informed me that: (a) I must follow 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E)(vi) if I want expedited processing; and (b) I must provide a detailed explanation of how disclosure would benefit the public interest if I want a fee waiver. How should I handle these two issues?
A. For tips about writing requests for expedited processing and a waiver of fees, you might wish to read the following articles: (1) Nate Jones, FOIA Tip 15: Writing a Good Request Part 5, or Expedited Processing and other Timing Issues, Nat'l Sec. Archive (Apr. 8, 2010), and (2) FOIAdvocates, FOIA Fee Waivers.