80 FR 37639 - Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 126 (July 1, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37639-37640]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16169]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    This notice amends Part R of the Statement of Organization, 
Functions and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration 
(HRSA) (60 FR 56605, as amended November 6, 1995; as last amended at 80 
FR 3610 dated January 23, 2015).
    This notice reflects organizational changes in the Health Resources 
and Services Administration (HRSA). Specifically, this notice: (1) 
Transfers the border health function from the Federal Office of Rural 
Health Policy, Office of the Associate Administrator (RH) to the Office 
of Planning, Analysis and Evaluation, Office of External Engagement 
(RA57); and (2) updates the functional statement for the Federal Office 
of Rural Health Policy, Office of the Associate Administrator (RH) and 
the Office of Planning, Analysis and Evaluation, Office of External 
Engagement (RA57).

Chapter RH--Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Section RH-20, Functions

    This notice reflects organizational changes within the Federal 
Office of Rural Health Policy. Specifically: (1) Transfers the border 
health function from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), 
Office of the Associate Administrator (RH) to the Office of Planning, 
Analysis and Evaluation (OPAE), Office of External Engagement (RA57); 
and (2) updates the functional statement for the FOHRP, Office of the 
Associate Administrator (RH).

Office of the Associate Administrator (RH)

    The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) is responsible 
for the overall leadership and management of the office. FORHP serves 
as a focal point within the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) for rural health-related issues and as a principal source of 
advice to the Secretary for coordinating efforts to strengthen and 
improve the delivery of health services to populations in the nation's 
rural areas. FORHP provides leadership within HHS and with stakeholders 
in providing information and counsel related to access to, and 
financing and quality of, health care to rural populations. 
Specifically, the Office of

[[Page 37640]]

the Associate Administrator: (1) Provides staff support to the National 
Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services; (2) stimulates 
and coordinates interaction on rural health activities and programs in 
the Agency, Department and with other federal agencies; (3) establishes 
and maintains a resource center for the collection and dissemination of 
the latest information and research findings related to the delivery of 
health services in rural areas; (4) ensures successful dissemination of 
appropriate information technology advances, such as electronic health 
records systems; (5) monitors the health information technology policy 
and activities of other HHS components for useful application in rural 
areas; (6) provides overall direction and leadership over the 
management of nationwide community-based rural health grants programs; 
(7) provides overall direction and leadership over the management of a 
program of state grants which supports collaboration within state 
offices of rural health; (8) provides overall direction and leadership 
over the management of programs to advance the use of telehealth and 
coordination of health information technology; and (9) provides overall 
direction and leadership over the office's administrative and 
management functions.

Chapter RA5--Office of Planning, Analysis and Evaluation

Section RA5-20, Functions

    This notice reflects organizational changes within the Office of 
Planning, Analysis and Evaluation. Specifically: (1) Transfers the 
border health function from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy 
(FORHP), Office of the Associate Administrator (RH) to the Office of 
Planning, Analysis and Evaluation (OPAE), Office of External Engagement 
(RA57); and (2) updates the functional statement for the OPAE, Office 
of External Engagement (RA57).

Office of External Engagement (RA57)

    (1) Serves as the principal Agency resource for facilitating 
external engagement; (2) coordinates the Agency's intergovernmental 
activities; (3) provides the Administrator with a single point of 
contact on all activities related to important state and local 
government, stakeholder association, and interest group activities; (4) 
coordinates Agency cross-Bureau cooperative agreements and activities 
with organizations such as the National Governors Association, National 
Conference of State Legislature, Association of State and Territorial 
Health Officials, National Association of Counties, and National 
Association of County and City Health Officials; (5) interacts with 
various commissions such as the Delta Regional Authority, Appalachian 
Regional Commission, and on the Denali Commission; (6) monitors HRSA's 
border health activities and investments to promote collaboration and 
improve health care access to those living along the U.S.-Mexico 
border; (7) serves as the primary liaison to Department 
intergovernmental staff; and (8) serves as the Agency liaison to manage 
and coordinate study engagements with the Government Accountability 
Office and the HHS Office of the Inspector General, Office of 
Evaluation and Inspections .

Delegations of Authority

    All delegations of authority and re-delegations of authority made 
to HRSA officials that were in effect immediately prior to this 
reorganization, and that are consistent with this reorganization, shall 
continue in effect pending further re-delegation.
    This reorganization is effective upon date of signature.

    Dated: June 19, 2015.
James Macrae,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-16169 Filed 6-30-15; 8:45 am]
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