80 FR 26261 - National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality: Request for Nominations for Public Members

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 88 (May 7, 2015)

Page Range		26261-26262
FR Document		2015-10983

42 U.S.C. 299c establishes a National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality (the Council). The Council is to advise the Secretary of HHS (Secretary) and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on matters related to activities of the Agency to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable, and to work within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and with other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used. Seven current members' terms will expire in November 2015. To fill these positions, we are seeking individuals who are distinguished in: (1) The conduct of research, demonstration projects, and evaluations with respect to health care; (2) the fields of health care quality research or health care improvement; (3) the practice of medicine; (4) other health professions; (5) representing the private health care sector (including health plans, providers, and purchasers) or administrators of health care delivery systems; (6) the fields of health care economics, information systems, law, ethics, business, or public policy; and, (7) representing the interests of patients and consumers of health care. 42 U.S.C. 299c(c)(2). Individuals are particularly sought with experience and success in activities specified in the summary above.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 88 (Thursday, May 7, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 88 (Thursday, May 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26261-26262]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10983]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality


National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality: 
Request for Nominations for Public Members

AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of request for nominations for public members.

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SUMMARY: 42 U.S.C. 299c establishes a National Advisory Council for 
Healthcare Research and Quality (the Council). The Council is to advise 
the Secretary of HHS (Secretary) and the

[[Page 26262]]

Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on 
matters related to activities of the Agency to produce evidence to make 
health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and 
affordable, and to work within the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services and with other partners to make sure that the evidence is 
understood and used.
    Seven current members' terms will expire in November 2015. To fill 
these positions, we are seeking individuals who are distinguished in: 
(1) The conduct of research, demonstration projects, and evaluations 
with respect to health care; (2) the fields of health care quality 
research or health care improvement; (3) the practice of medicine; (4) 
other health professions; (5) representing the private health care 
sector (including health plans, providers, and purchasers) or 
administrators of health care delivery systems; (6) the fields of 
health care economics, information systems, law, ethics, business, or 
public policy; and, (7) representing the interests of patients and 
consumers of health care. 42 U.S.C. 299c(c)(2). Individuals are 
particularly sought with experience and success in activities specified 
in the summary above.

DATES: Nominations should be received on or before 60 days after date 
of publication.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Ms. Karen Brooks, AHRQ, 540 
Gaither Road, Room 3006, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Nominations may 
also be emailed to Karen.Brooks@ahrq.hhs.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaime Zimmerman, AHRQ, at (301) 427-
1456.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 42 U.S.C. 299c provides that the Secretary 
shall appoint to the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research 
and Quality twenty one appropriately qualified individuals. At least 
seventeen members shall be representatives of the public and at least 
one member shall be a specialist in the rural aspects of one or more of 
the professions or fields listed in the above summary. In addition, the 
Secretary designates, as ex officio members, representatives from other 
Federal agencies, principally agencies that conduct or support health 
care research, as well as Federal officials the Secretary may consider 
appropriate. 42 U.S.C. 299c(c)(3). The Council meets in the Washington, 
DC, metropolitan area, generally in Rockville, Maryland, approximately 
three times a year to provide broad guidance to the Secretary and 
AHRQ's Director on the direction of and programs undertaken by AHRQ.
    Seven individuals will be selected by the Secretary to serve on the 
Council beginning with the meeting in the spring of 2016. Members 
generally serve 3-year terms. Appointments are staggered to permit an 
orderly rotation of membership.
    Interested persons may nominate one or more qualified persons for 
membership on the Council. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations 
shall include: (1) A copy of the nominee's resume or curriculum vitae; 
and (2) a statement that the nominee is willing to serve as a member of 
the Council. Selected candidates will be asked to provide detailed 
information concerning their financial interests, consultant positions 
and research grants and contracts, to permit evaluation of possible 
sources of conflict of interest. Please note that once a candidate is 
nominated, AHRQ may consider that nomination for future positions on 
the Council. Federally registered lobbyists are not permitted to serve 
on this advisory board pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum entitled 
``Lobbyists on Agency Boards and Commissions'' dated June 10, 2010, and 
the Office of Management and Budget's ``Final Guidance on Appointment 
of Lobbyists to Federal Boards and Commissions,'' 76 FR 61756 (October 
5, 2011).
    The Department seeks a broad geographic representation. In 
addition, AHRQ conducts and supports research concerning priority 
populations, which include: low-income groups; minority groups; women; 
children; the elderly; and individuals with special health care needs, 
including individuals with disabilities and individuals who need 
chronic care or end-of-life health care. See 42 U.S.C. 299(c). 
Nominations of persons with expertise in health care for these priority 
populations are encouraged.

Sharon B. Arnold,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-10983 Filed 5-6-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4160-90-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 88 / Thursday, May 7, 2015 / Notices 26261

development and has been convened to and is therefore not included in the Because we require such a large sample
discuss the proposed changes to the burden estimates in Exhibits 1 and 2. within each hospital, we will target only
HSOPS survey and supplemental items. Estimated Annual Respondent Burden hospitals with 49 or more beds. For
Upon completion of the pilot test, hospitals with fewer than 500 providers
results will be reviewed with the TEP Exhibit 1 shows the estimated and staff, we will conduct a census in
and the survey will be finalized. This annualized burden hours for the the hospital (assuming on average 375
TEP activity does not impose a burden participants’ time to take part in this providers and staff in these hospitals
on the public and is therefore not research. Cognitive interviews for the this will yield a total of 18,375 sample
included in the burden estimates in draft HSOPS 2.0 will be conducted with members assuming all 40 hospitals
Exhibits 1 and 2. 36 individuals and will take about one participate. Assuming a response rate of
hour and 30 minutes to complete.
(4) Dissemination activities—The 50 percent, this will yield a total of
Cognitive interviews for the
final HSOPS 2.0 instrument and 9,188 completed questionnaires. The
supplemental items will be conducted
supplemental items will be made total annualized burden is estimated to
with 36 individuals and take about one
publicly available through the AHRQ hour to complete. We will recruit 40 be 2,387 hours.
Web site. A report from the bridge study hospitals for the pilot test and bridge Exhibit 2 shows the estimated
will also be made public as a resource study, sampling approximately 500 staff annualized cost burden associated with
to hospitals making the transition to the members in each (250 taking the the participants’ time to take part in this
new survey. This dissemination activity original survey and 250 taking the research. The total cost burden is
does not impose a burden on the public HSOPS 2.0 and supplemental item set). estimated to be $83,533.26.

EXHIBIT 1—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS
Number of Hours per Total burden
Form name/activity respondents response hours

Cognitive interviews—HSOPS 2.0 .............................................................................................. 36 1.5 54
Cognitive interviews—Supplemental Items ................................................................................. 36 1.0 36
Pilot test and bridge study ........................................................................................................... 9,188 0.25 2,297

Total ...................................................................................................................................... 9,260 na 2,387

EXHIBIT 2—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST BURDEN
Average
Total burden Total cost
Form name/activity hourly wage
hours burden
rate *

Cognitive interviews (HSOPS 2.0 and supplemental items) ....................................................... 90 a $35.38 $3,184.20
Pilot test and bridge study ........................................................................................................... 2,297 b 34.98 80,349.06

Total ...................................................................................................................................... 2,387 na 83,533.26
a Based on the weighted average hourly wage in hospitals for one physician (29–1060; $101.53), one registered nurse (29–1141; $30.22), one
general and operations manager (11–1021; $52.64), and six clinical lab techs (29–2010; $22.34) whose hourly wage is meant to represent
wages for other hospital employees who may participate in cognitive interviews.
b Based on the weighted average hourly wage in hospitals for 1,981 registered nurses, 209 clinical lab techs, 176 physicians and surgeons,
and 21 general and operations managers.
* National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, May 2013, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (available at http://
www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_621100.htm [for general medical and surgical hospitals, NAICS 622100]).

Request for Comments automated collection techniques or DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
In accordance with the Paperwork other forms of information technology. HUMAN SERVICES
Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s Comments submitted in response to
information collection are requested Agency for Healthcare Research and
this notice will be summarized and
with regard to any of the following: (a) Quality
included in the Agency’s subsequent
Whether the proposed collection of request for OMB approval of the National Advisory Council for
information is necessary for the proper proposed information collection. All Healthcare Research and Quality:
performance of AHRQ health care comments will become a matter of Request for Nominations for Public
research and health care information public record. Members
dissemination functions, including
whether the information will have Dated: April 27, 2015. AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of Sharon B. Arnold, and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.
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AHRQ’s estimate of burden (including Deputy Director, AHRQ. ACTION: Notice of request for
hours and costs) of the proposed [FR Doc. 2015–10982 Filed 5–6–15; 8:45 am] nominations for public members.
collection(s) of information; (c) ways to BILLING CODE 4160–90–P
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity SUMMARY: 42 U.S.C. 299c establishes a
of the information to be collected; and National Advisory Council for
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the Healthcare Research and Quality (the
collection of information upon the Council). The Council is to advise the
respondents, including the use of Secretary of HHS (Secretary) and the

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26262 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 88 / Thursday, May 7, 2015 / Notices

Director of the Agency for Healthcare and AHRQ’s Director on the direction of ACTION: Notice.
Research and Quality (AHRQ) on and programs undertaken by AHRQ.
matters related to activities of the Seven individuals will be selected by SUMMARY: This notice announces the
Agency to produce evidence to make the Secretary to serve on the Council intention of the Agency for Healthcare
health care safer, higher quality, more beginning with the meeting in the Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request
accessible, equitable, and affordable, spring of 2016. Members generally serve that the Office of Management and
and to work within the U.S. Department 3-year terms. Appointments are Budget (OMB) approve the proposed
of Health and Human Services and with staggered to permit an orderly rotation changes to the currently approved
other partners to make sure that the of membership. information collection project: ‘‘Medical
evidence is understood and used. Interested persons may nominate one Expenditure Panel Survey—Insurance
Seven current members’ terms will or more qualified persons for Component.’’ In accordance with the
expire in November 2015. To fill these membership on the Council. Self- Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.
positions, we are seeking individuals nominations are accepted. Nominations 3501–3521, AHRQ invites the public to
who are distinguished in: (1) The shall include: (1) A copy of the comment on this proposed information
conduct of research, demonstration nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae; collection.
projects, and evaluations with respect to and (2) a statement that the nominee is This proposed information collection
health care; (2) the fields of health care willing to serve as a member of the was previously published in the Federal
quality research or health care Council. Selected candidates will be Register on February 18th, 2015 and
improvement; (3) the practice of asked to provide detailed information allowed 60 days for public comment. No
medicine; (4) other health professions; concerning their financial interests, comments were received. The purpose
(5) representing the private health care consultant positions and research grants of this notice is to allow an additional
sector (including health plans, and contracts, to permit evaluation of 30 days for public comment.
providers, and purchasers) or possible sources of conflict of interest. DATES: Comments on this notice must be
administrators of health care delivery Please note that once a candidate is received by June 8, 2015.
systems; (6) the fields of health care nominated, AHRQ may consider that ADDRESSES: Written comments should
economics, information systems, law, nomination for future positions on the be submitted to: AHRQ’s OMB Desk
ethics, business, or public policy; and, Council. Federally registered lobbyists Officer by fax at (202) 395–6974
(7) representing the interests of patients are not permitted to serve on this (attention: AHRQ’s desk officer) or by
and consumers of health care. 42 U.S.C. advisory board pursuant to the email at
299c(c)(2). Individuals are particularly Presidential Memorandum entitled OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov
sought with experience and success in ‘‘Lobbyists on Agency Boards and (attention: AHRQ’s desk officer).
activities specified in the summary Commissions’’ dated June 10, 2010, and Copies of the proposed collection
above. the Office of Management and Budget’s plans, data collection instruments, and
‘‘Final Guidance on Appointment of specific details on the estimated burden
DATES: Nominations should be received Lobbyists to Federal Boards and can be obtained from the AHRQ Reports
on or before 60 days after date of Commissions,’’ 76 FR 61756 (October 5, Clearance Officer.
publication. 2011). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent The Department seeks a broad Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports
to Ms. Karen Brooks, AHRQ, 540 geographic representation. In addition, Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477, or by
Gaither Road, Room 3006, Rockville, AHRQ conducts and supports research email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov.
Maryland 20850. Nominations may also concerning priority populations, which SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
be emailed to Karen.Brooks@ include: low-income groups; minority
ahrq.hhs.gov. groups; women; children; the elderly; Proposed Project
and individuals with special health care Medical Expenditure Panel Survey—
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
needs, including individuals with Insurance Component
Jaime Zimmerman, AHRQ, at (301) 427–
disabilities and individuals who need
1456. Employer-sponsored health insurance
chronic care or end-of-life health care.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 42 U.S.C. See 42 U.S.C. 299(c). Nominations of is the source of coverage for 78 million
299c provides that the Secretary shall persons with expertise in health care for current and former workers, plus many
appoint to the National Advisory these priority populations are of their family members, and is a
Council for Healthcare Research and encouraged. cornerstone of the U.S. health care
Quality twenty one appropriately system. The Medical Expenditure Panel
qualified individuals. At least seventeen Sharon B. Arnold, Survey—Insurance Component (MEPS–
members shall be representatives of the Deputy Director. IC) measures on an annual basis the
public and at least one member shall be [FR Doc. 2015–10983 Filed 5–6–15; 8:45 am] extent, cost, and coverage of employer-
a specialist in the rural aspects of one BILLING CODE 4160–90–P sponsored health insurance. These
or more of the professions or fields statistics are produced at the National,
listed in the above summary. In State, and sub-State (metropolitan area)
addition, the Secretary designates, as ex DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND level for private industry. Statistics are
officio members, representatives from HUMAN SERVICES also produced for State and local
other Federal agencies, principally governments. The MEPS–IC was last
Agency for Healthcare Research and
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agencies that conduct or support health approved by OMB on November 21,
care research, as well as Federal officials Quality 2013 and will expire on November 30,
the Secretary may consider appropriate. 2016. The OMB control number for the
Agency Information Collection
42 U.S.C. 299c(c)(3). The Council meets MEPS–IC is 0935–0110. All of the
Activities: Proposed Collection;
in the Washington, DC, metropolitan supporting documents for the current
Comment Request
area, generally in Rockville, Maryland, MEPS–IC can be downloaded from
approximately three times a year to AGENCY:Agency for Healthcare Research OMB’s Web site at http://
provide broad guidance to the Secretary and Quality, HHS. www.reginfo.gov/public/do/

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Document Created: 2015-12-16 07:50:09
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 07:50:09

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of request for nominations for public members.
Dates		Nominations should be received on or before 60 days after date of publication.
Contact		Jaime Zimmerman, AHRQ, at (301) 427- 1456.
FR Citation		80 FR 26261

80 FR 26261 - National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality: Request for Nominations for Public Members

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 88 (May 7, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality