83_FR_17254 83 FR 17179 - Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions Educational Loans Announcement Type: Initial

83 FR 17179 - Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions Educational Loans Announcement Type: Initial

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 75 (April 18, 2018)

Page Range17179-17181
FR Document2018-07892

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17179-17181]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07892]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service

[CFDA Number: 93.164]


Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions 
Educational Loans Announcement Type: Initial

    Key Dates: April 18, 2018, first award cycle deadline date; August 
15, 2018, last award cycle deadline date; September 15, 2018, last 
award cycle deadline date for supplemental loan repayment program 
funds; September 30, 2018, entry on duty deadline date.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) estimated budget for fiscal year 
(FY) 2018 includes $27,500,000 for the IHS Loan Repayment Program (LRP) 
for health professional educational loans (undergraduate and graduate) 
in return for full-time clinical service as defined in the IHS LRP 
policy at https://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/policiesandprocedures/ in 
Indian health programs.
    This notice is being published early to coincide with the 
recruitment activity of the IHS which competes with other Government 
and private health management organizations to employ qualified health 
professionals.
    This program is authorized by the Indian Health Care Improvement 
Act (IHCIA) Section 108, codified at 25 U.S.C. 1616a.

II. Award Information

    The estimated amount available is approximately $17,750,000 to 
support approximately 384 competing awards averaging $46,210 per award 
for a two year contract. The estimated amount available is 
approximately $9,750,000 to support approximately 390 competing awards 
averaging $25,000 per award for a one year extension. One year contract 
extensions will receive priority consideration in any award cycle. 
Applicants selected for participation in the FY 2018 program cycle will 
be expected to begin their service period no later than September 30, 
2018.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 1616a(b), to be eligible to participate in 
the LRP, an individual must meet the following three criteria:
    (1) Be enrolled in an accredited institution, in any State and 
intended to complete the course in the same year the individual applies 
to participate in the program.
    Or be enrolled in an approved graduate training program in a health 
profession.
    Or have a health profession degree and a license to practice in a 
State.
    (2) Be eligible for, or hold an appointment as a commissioned 
officer in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS).
    Or be eligible for selection for service in the Regular Corps of 
the PHS.
    Or meet the professional standards for civil service employment in 
the IHS.
    Or be employed in an Indian health program without service 
obligation.
    (3) Submit to the Secretary an application for a contract to the 
LRP. The Secretary must approve the contract before the disbursement of 
loan repayments can be made to the participant. Participants will be 
required to fulfill their contract service agreements through full-time 
clinical practice at an Indian health program site determined by the 
Secretary. Loan repayment sites are characterized by physical, 
cultural, and professional isolation, and have histories of frequent 
staff turnover. Indian health program sites are annually prioritized 
within the Agency by discipline, based on need or vacancy. The IHS 
LRP's ranking system gives high site scores to those sites that are 
most in need of specific health professions. Awards are given to the 
applications that match the highest priorities until funds are no 
longer available.
    Any individual who owes an obligation for health professional 
service to the Federal Government, a State, or other entity, is not 
eligible for the LRP unless the obligation will be completely satisfied 
before they begin service under this program.
    25 U.S.C. 1616a authorizes the IHS LRP and provides that the 
Secretary, acting through the Service, shall establish a program to be 
known as the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program (hereinafter 
referred to as the Loan Repayment Program) in order to assure an 
adequate supply of trained health professionals necessary to maintain 
accreditation of, and provide health care services to Indians through, 
Indian health programs.
    For the purposes of this program, the term ``Indian health 
program'' means any health program or facility funded, in whole or in 
part, by the Service for the benefit of Indians and administered--

 Directly by the Service;
 By any Indian Tribe or Tribal or Indian organization pursuant 
to a contract under--
    [cir] The Indian Self-Determination Act, or
    [cir] Section 23 of the Act of April 30, 1908, (25 U.S.C. 47), 
popularly known as the Buy Indian Act; or
 By an urban Indian organization pursuant to Title V of the 
Indian Health Care Improvement Act. (see 25 U.S.C. 1616a(a)(2)(A))

25 U.S.C. 1616a, authorizes the IHS to determine specific health 
professions for which IHS LRP contracts will be awarded. Annually, the 
Director, Division of Health Professions Support, sends a letter to the 
Director, Office of Clinical and Preventive Services, IHS Area 
Directors, Tribal health officials, and Urban Indian health programs 
directors to request a list of positions for which there is a need or 
vacancy. The list of priority health professions that follows is based 
upon the needs of the IHS as well as upon the needs of American Indians 
and Alaska Natives.

(a) Medicine--Allopathic and Osteopathic doctorate degrees
(b) Nursing--Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
(c) Nursing--Bachelor of Science (BSN)
(d) Nursing (NP, DNP)--Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nurse in 
Family Practice, Psychiatry, Geriatric, Women's Health, Pediatric 
Nursing.

[[Page 17180]]

(e) Nursing--Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
(f) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA),
(g) Physician Assistant (Certified)
(h) Dentistry--DDS or DMD degrees
(i) Dental Hygiene
(j) Social Work--Independent Licensed Master's degree
(k) Counseling--Master's degree
(l) Clinical Psychology--Ph.D. or PsyD
(m) Counseling Psychology--Ph.D.
(n) Optometry--OD
(o) Pharmacy--PharmD
(p) Podiatry--DPM
(q) Physical/Occupational/Speech Language Therapy or Audiology--MS, 
Doctoral
(r) Registered Dietician--BS
(s) Clinical Laboratory Science--BS

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Not applicable.

C. Other Requirements

    Interested individuals are reminded that the list of eligible 
health and allied health professions is effective for applicants for FY 
2018.
    These priorities will remain in effect until superseded.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Each applicant will be responsible for submitting a complete 
application. Go to http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment for more 
information on how to apply electronically. The application will be 
considered complete if the following documents are included:

 Employment Verification--Documentation of your employment with 
an Indian health program as applicable:
    [cir] Commissioned Corps orders, Tribal employment documentation or 
offer letter, or Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50)--For current 
Federal employees.
 License to Practice--A photocopy of your current, non-
temporary, full and unrestricted license to practice (issued by any 
State, Washington, DC, or Puerto Rico).
 Loan Documentation--A copy of all current statements related 
to the loans submitted as part of the LRP application.
 Transcripts--Official Transcripts
 If applicable, if you are a member of a federally recognized 
Tribe or an Alaska Native (recognized by the Secretary of the 
Interior), provide a certification of Tribal enrollment by the 
Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Indian Affairs 
(BIA) (Certification: Form BIA--4432 Category A--Members of federally 
Recognized Indian Tribes, Bands or Communities or Category D--Alaska 
Native).

B. Submission Dates and Address

    Applications for the FY 2018 LRP will be accepted and evaluated 
monthly beginning April 18, 2018, and will continue to be accepted each 
month thereafter until all funds are exhausted for FY 2018. Subsequent 
monthly deadline dates are scheduled for Friday of the second full week 
of each month until August 15, 2018.
    Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they 
are either:
    (1) Received on or before the deadline date; or
    (2) Received after the deadline date, but with a legible postmark 
dated on or before the deadline date. (Applicants should request a 
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated 
receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private 
metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof of timely mailing).
    Applications submitted after the monthly closing date will be held 
for consideration in the next monthly funding cycle. Applicants who do 
not receive funding by September 30, 2018, will be notified in writing.
    Application documents should be sent to: IHS Loan Repayment 
Program, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: OHR (11E53A), Rockville, 
Maryland 20857.

C. Intergovernmental Review

    This program is not subject to review under Executive Order 12372.

D. Funding Restrictions

    Not applicable.

E. Other Submission Requirements

    New applicants are responsible for using the online application. 
Applicants requesting a contract extension must do so in writing by 
April 18, 2018, to ensure the highest possibility of being funded a 
contract extension.

V. Application Review Information

A. Criteria

    The IHS will utilize the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) 
score developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration for 
each Indian health program for which there is a need or vacancy. At 
each Indian health facility, the HPSA score for mental health will be 
utilized for all behavioral health professions, the HPSA score for 
dental health will be utilized for all dentistry and dental hygiene 
health professions, and the HPSA score for primary care will be used 
for all other approved health professions.
    In determining applications to be approved and contracts to accept, 
the IHS will give priority to applications made by American Indians and 
Alaska Natives and to individuals recruited through the efforts of 
Indian Tribes or Tribal or Indian organizations.

B. Review and Selection Process

    One or all of the following factors may be applicable to an 
applicant, and the applicant who has the most of these factors, all 
other criteria being equal, will be selected.
    (1) An applicant's length of current employment in the IHS, Tribal, 
or Urban program.
    (2) Availability for service earlier than other applicants (first 
come, first served).
    (3) Date the individual's application was received.

C. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Not applicable.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    Notice of awards will be mailed on the last working day of each 
month. Once the applicant is approved for participation in the LRP, the 
applicant will receive confirmation of his/her loan repayment award and 
the duty site at which he/she will serve his/her loan repayment 
obligation.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Applicants may sign contractual agreements with the Secretary for 2 
years. The IHS may repay all, or a portion, of the applicant's health 
profession educational loans (undergraduate and graduate) for tuition 
expenses and reasonable educational and living expenses in amounts up 
to $20,000 per year for each year of contracted service. Payments will 
be made annually to the participant for the purpose of repaying his/her 
outstanding health profession educational loans. Payment of health 
profession education loans will be made to the participant within 120 
days, from the date the contract becomes effective. The effective date 
of the contract is calculated from the date it is signed by the 
Secretary or his/her delegate, or the IHS, Tribal, Urban, or Buy Indian 
health center entry-on-duty date, whichever is more recent.
    In addition to the loan payment, participants are provided tax 
assistance

[[Page 17181]]

payments in an amount not less than 20 percent and not more than 39 
percent of the participant's total amount of loan repayments made for 
the taxable year involved. The loan repayments and the tax assistance 
payments are taxable income and will be reported to the Internal 
Revenue Service (IRS). The tax assistance payment will be paid to the 
IRS directly on the participant's behalf. LRP award recipients should 
be aware that the IRS may place them in a higher tax bracket than they 
would otherwise have been prior to their award.

C. Contract Extensions

    Any individual who enters this program and satisfactorily completes 
his or her obligated period of service may apply to extend his/her 
contract on a year-by-year basis, as determined by the IHS. 
Participants extending their contracts may receive up to the maximum 
amount of $20,000 per year plus an additional 20 percent for Federal 
withholding.

VII. Agency Contact

    Please address inquiries to Ms. Jacqueline K. Santiago, Chief, IHS 
Loan Repayment Program, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: OHR (11E53A), 
Rockville, Maryland 20857, Telephone: 301/443-3396 [between 8:00 a.m. 
and 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays].

VIII. Other Information

    IHS area offices and service units that are financially able are 
authorized to provide additional funding to make awards to applicants 
in the LRP, but not to exceed the maximum allowable amount authorized 
by statute per year, plus tax assistance. All additional funding must 
be made in accordance with the priority system outlined below. Health 
professions given priority for selection above the $20,000 threshold 
are those identified as meeting the criteria in 25 U.S.C. 
1616a(g)(2)(A), which provides that the Secretary shall consider the 
extent to which each such determination:
     Affects the ability of the Secretary to maximize the 
number of contracts that can be provided under the LRP from the amounts 
appropriated for such contracts;
     Provides an incentive to serve in Indian health programs 
with the greatest shortages of health professionals; and
     Provides an incentive with respect to the health 
professional involved remaining in an Indian health program with such a 
health professional shortage, and continuing to provide primary health 
services, after the completion of the period of obligated service under 
the LRP.
    Contracts may be awarded to those who are available for service no 
later than September 30, 2018, and must be in compliance with 25 U.S.C. 
1616a. In order to ensure compliance with the statutes, area offices or 
service units providing additional funding under this section are 
responsible for notifying the LRP of such payments before funding is 
offered to the LRP participant.
    Should an IHS area office contribute to the LRP, those funds will 
be used for only those sites located in that area. Those sites will 
retain their relative ranking from their Health Professions Shortage 
Areas (HPSA) scores. For example, the Albuquerque Area Office 
identifies supplemental monies for dentists. Only the dental positions 
within the Albuquerque Area will be funded with the supplemental monies 
consistent with the HPSA scores within that area.
    Should an IHS service unit contribute to the LRP, those funds will 
be used for only those sites located in that service unit. Those sites 
will retain their relative ranking from their HPSA scores.

    Dated: April 9, 2018.
Michael D. Weahkee,
RADM, Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service, Acting 
Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-07892 Filed 4-17-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4165-16-P



                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 18, 2018 / Notices                                             17179

                                             national health promotion and disease                   Government and private health                         gives high site scores to those sites that
                                             prevention objectives for 2030 and may                  management organizations to employ                    are most in need of specific health
                                             be emailed to HP2030@hhs.gov.                           qualified health professionals.                       professions. Awards are given to the
                                               To join the Committee meeting,                          This program is authorized by the                   applications that match the highest
                                             individuals must pre-register at the                    Indian Health Care Improvement Act                    priorities until funds are no longer
                                             Healthy People website at http://                       (IHCIA) Section 108, codified at 25                   available.
                                             www.healthypeople.gov. Participation in                 U.S.C. 1616a.                                            Any individual who owes an
                                             the meeting is limited. Registrations will                                                                    obligation for health professional
                                             be accepted until maximum webinar                       II. Award Information                                 service to the Federal Government, a
                                             capacity is reached, and must be                          The estimated amount available is                   State, or other entity, is not eligible for
                                             completed by 9:00 a.m. ET on May 14,                    approximately $17,750,000 to support                  the LRP unless the obligation will be
                                             2018. A waiting list will be maintained                 approximately 384 competing awards                    completely satisfied before they begin
                                             should registrations exceed capacity,                   averaging $46,210 per award for a two                 service under this program.
                                             and those individuals will be contacted                 year contract. The estimated amount                      25 U.S.C. 1616a authorizes the IHS
                                             as additional space for the meeting                     available is approximately $9,750,000 to              LRP and provides that the Secretary,
                                             becomes available. Registration                         support approximately 390 competing                   acting through the Service, shall
                                             questions may be directed to                            awards averaging $25,000 per award for                establish a program to be known as the
                                             HealthyPeople@norc.org.                                 a one year extension. One year contract               Indian Health Service Loan Repayment
                                                                                                     extensions will receive priority                      Program (hereinafter referred to as the
                                               Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300u and 42 U.S.C.
                                                                                                     consideration in any award cycle.                     Loan Repayment Program) in order to
                                             217a. The Secretary’s Advisory Committee on
                                             National Health Promotion and Disease                   Applicants selected for participation in              assure an adequate supply of trained
                                             Prevention Objectives for 2030 is governed              the FY 2018 program cycle will be                     health professionals necessary to
                                             by provisions of the Federal Advisory                   expected to begin their service period                maintain accreditation of, and provide
                                             Committee Act (FACA), Public Law 92–463,                no later than September 30, 2018.                     health care services to Indians through,
                                             as amended (5 U.S.C., App.) which sets forth                                                                  Indian health programs.
                                             standards for the formation and use of federal          III. Eligibility Information                             For the purposes of this program, the
                                             advisory committees.                                                                                          term ‘‘Indian health program’’ means
                                                                                                     A. Eligible Applicants
                                               Dated: April 11, 2018.                                                                                      any health program or facility funded,
                                                                                                        Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 1616a(b), to be              in whole or in part, by the Service for
                                             Don Wright,
                                                                                                     eligible to participate in the LRP, an                the benefit of Indians and
                                             Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health                   individual must meet the following
                                             (Disease Prevention and Health Promotion).                                                                    administered—
                                                                                                     three criteria:                                       • Directly by the Service;
                                             [FR Doc. 2018–08065 Filed 4–17–18; 8:45 am]                (1) Be enrolled in an accredited                   • By any Indian Tribe or Tribal or
                                             BILLING CODE 4150–32–P                                  institution, in any State and intended to                   Indian organization pursuant to a
                                                                                                     complete the course in the same year                        contract under—
                                                                                                     the individual applies to participate in                 Æ The Indian Self-Determination Act,
                                             DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                the program.
                                             HUMAN SERVICES                                                                                                      or
                                                                                                        Or be enrolled in an approved                         Æ Section 23 of the Act of April 30,
                                             Indian Health Service                                   graduate training program in a health                       1908, (25 U.S.C. 47), popularly
                                                                                                     profession.                                                 known as the Buy Indian Act; or
                                             [CFDA Number: 93.164]                                      Or have a health profession degree                 • By an urban Indian organization
                                                                                                     and a license to practice in a State.                       pursuant to Title V of the Indian
                                             Loan Repayment Program for                                 (2) Be eligible for, or hold an                          Health Care Improvement Act. (see
                                             Repayment of Health Professions                         appointment as a commissioned officer                       25 U.S.C. 1616a(a)(2)(A))
                                             Educational Loans Announcement                          in the Regular Corps of the Public                    25 U.S.C. 1616a, authorizes the IHS to
                                             Type: Initial                                           Health Service (PHS).                                 determine specific health professions
                                               Key Dates: April 18, 2018, first award                   Or be eligible for selection for service           for which IHS LRP contracts will be
                                             cycle deadline date; August 15, 2018,                   in the Regular Corps of the PHS.                      awarded. Annually, the Director,
                                             last award cycle deadline date;                            Or meet the professional standards for             Division of Health Professions Support,
                                             September 15, 2018, last award cycle                    civil service employment in the IHS.                  sends a letter to the Director, Office of
                                             deadline date for supplemental loan                        Or be employed in an Indian health                 Clinical and Preventive Services, IHS
                                             repayment program funds; September                      program without service obligation.                   Area Directors, Tribal health officials,
                                             30, 2018, entry on duty deadline date.                     (3) Submit to the Secretary an                     and Urban Indian health programs
                                                                                                     application for a contract to the LRP.                directors to request a list of positions for
                                             I. Funding Opportunity Description                      The Secretary must approve the contract               which there is a need or vacancy. The
                                                The Indian Health Service (IHS)                      before the disbursement of loan                       list of priority health professions that
                                             estimated budget for fiscal year (FY)                   repayments can be made to the                         follows is based upon the needs of the
                                             2018 includes $27,500,000 for the IHS                   participant. Participants will be                     IHS as well as upon the needs of
                                             Loan Repayment Program (LRP) for                        required to fulfill their contract service            American Indians and Alaska Natives.
                                             health professional educational loans                   agreements through full-time clinical                 (a) Medicine—Allopathic and
                                             (undergraduate and graduate) in return                  practice at an Indian health program site                   Osteopathic doctorate degrees
                                             for full-time clinical service as defined               determined by the Secretary. Loan                     (b) Nursing—Associate Degree in
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES




                                             in the IHS LRP policy at https://                       repayment sites are characterized by                        Nursing (ADN)
                                             www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/                              physical, cultural, and professional                  (c) Nursing—Bachelor of Science (BSN)
                                             policiesandprocedures/ in Indian health                 isolation, and have histories of frequent             (d) Nursing (NP, DNP)—Nurse
                                             programs.                                               staff turnover. Indian health program                       Practitioner/Advanced Practice
                                                This notice is being published early to              sites are annually prioritized within the                   Nurse in Family Practice,
                                             coincide with the recruitment activity of               Agency by discipline, based on need or                      Psychiatry, Geriatric, Women’s
                                             the IHS which competes with other                       vacancy. The IHS LRP’s ranking system                       Health, Pediatric Nursing.


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:31 Apr 17, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00042   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM   18APN1


                                             17180                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 18, 2018 / Notices

                                             (e) Nursing—Certified Nurse Midwife                           through the Bureau of Indian                    hygiene health professions, and the
                                                  (CNM)                                                    Affairs (BIA) (Certification: Form              HPSA score for primary care will be
                                             (f) Certified Registered Nurse                                BIA—4432 Category A—Members                     used for all other approved health
                                                  Anesthetist (CRNA),                                      of federally Recognized Indian                  professions.
                                             (g) Physician Assistant (Certified)                           Tribes, Bands or Communities or                   In determining applications to be
                                             (h) Dentistry—DDS or DMD degrees                              Category D—Alaska Native).                      approved and contracts to accept, the
                                             (i) Dental Hygiene                                                                                            IHS will give priority to applications
                                                                                                     B. Submission Dates and Address                       made by American Indians and Alaska
                                             (j) Social Work—Independent Licensed
                                                  Master’s degree                                      Applications for the FY 2018 LRP will               Natives and to individuals recruited
                                             (k) Counseling—Master’s degree                          be accepted and evaluated monthly                     through the efforts of Indian Tribes or
                                             (l) Clinical Psychology—Ph.D. or PsyD                   beginning April 18, 2018, and will                    Tribal or Indian organizations.
                                             (m) Counseling Psychology—Ph.D.                         continue to be accepted each month
                                                                                                                                                           B. Review and Selection Process
                                             (n) Optometry—OD                                        thereafter until all funds are exhausted
                                             (o) Pharmacy—PharmD                                     for FY 2018. Subsequent monthly                         One or all of the following factors may
                                             (p) Podiatry—DPM                                        deadline dates are scheduled for Friday               be applicable to an applicant, and the
                                             (q) Physical/Occupational/Speech                        of the second full week of each month                 applicant who has the most of these
                                                  Language Therapy or Audiology—                     until August 15, 2018.                                factors, all other criteria being equal,
                                                  MS, Doctoral                                         Applications shall be considered as                 will be selected.
                                             (r) Registered Dietician—BS                             meeting the deadline if they are either:                (1) An applicant’s length of current
                                             (s) Clinical Laboratory Science—BS                        (1) Received on or before the deadline              employment in the IHS, Tribal, or Urban
                                                                                                     date; or                                              program.
                                             B. Cost Sharing or Matching                               (2) Received after the deadline date,                 (2) Availability for service earlier than
                                                Not applicable.                                      but with a legible postmark dated on or               other applicants (first come, first
                                                                                                     before the deadline date. (Applicants                 served).
                                             C. Other Requirements                                   should request a legibly dated U.S.                     (3) Date the individual’s application
                                               Interested individuals are reminded                   Postal Service postmark or obtain a                   was received.
                                             that the list of eligible health and allied             legibly dated receipt from a commercial               C. Anticipated Announcement and
                                             health professions is effective for                     carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private               Award Dates
                                             applicants for FY 2018.                                 metered postmarks are not acceptable as
                                               These priorities will remain in effect                proof of timely mailing).                               Not applicable.
                                             until superseded.                                         Applications submitted after the                    VI. Award Administration Information
                                                                                                     monthly closing date will be held for
                                             IV. Application and Submission                          consideration in the next monthly                     A. Award Notices
                                             Information                                             funding cycle. Applicants who do not                    Notice of awards will be mailed on
                                             A. Content and Form of Application                      receive funding by September 30, 2018,                the last working day of each month.
                                             Submission                                              will be notified in writing.                          Once the applicant is approved for
                                                                                                       Application documents should be                     participation in the LRP, the applicant
                                               Each applicant will be responsible for                sent to: IHS Loan Repayment Program,                  will receive confirmation of his/her loan
                                             submitting a complete application. Go                   5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: OHR                     repayment award and the duty site at
                                             to http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment                     (11E53A), Rockville, Maryland 20857.                  which he/she will serve his/her loan
                                             for more information on how to apply
                                                                                                     C. Intergovernmental Review                           repayment obligation.
                                             electronically. The application will be
                                             considered complete if the following                      This program is not subject to review               B. Administrative and National Policy
                                             documents are included:                                 under Executive Order 12372.                          Requirements
                                             • Employment Verification—                                                                                      Applicants may sign contractual
                                                                                                     D. Funding Restrictions
                                                  Documentation of your employment                                                                         agreements with the Secretary for 2
                                                  with an Indian health program as                     Not applicable.                                     years. The IHS may repay all, or a
                                                  applicable:                                        E. Other Submission Requirements                      portion, of the applicant’s health
                                               Æ Commissioned Corps orders, Tribal                                                                         profession educational loans
                                                  employment documentation or offer                    New applicants are responsible for                  (undergraduate and graduate) for tuition
                                                  letter, or Notification of Personnel               using the online application. Applicants              expenses and reasonable educational
                                                  Action (SF–50)—For current                         requesting a contract extension must do               and living expenses in amounts up to
                                                  Federal employees.                                 so in writing by April 18, 2018, to                   $20,000 per year for each year of
                                             • License to Practice—A photocopy of                    ensure the highest possibility of being               contracted service. Payments will be
                                                  your current, non-temporary, full                  funded a contract extension.                          made annually to the participant for the
                                                  and unrestricted license to practice               V. Application Review Information                     purpose of repaying his/her outstanding
                                                  (issued by any State, Washington,                                                                        health profession educational loans.
                                                  DC, or Puerto Rico).                               A. Criteria                                           Payment of health profession education
                                             • Loan Documentation—A copy of all                        The IHS will utilize the Health                     loans will be made to the participant
                                                  current statements related to the                  Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)                     within 120 days, from the date the
                                                  loans submitted as part of the LRP                 score developed by the Health                         contract becomes effective. The effective
                                                  application.                                       Resources and Services Administration                 date of the contract is calculated from
                                             • Transcripts—Official Transcripts
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                     for each Indian health program for                    the date it is signed by the Secretary or
                                             • If applicable, if you are a member of                 which there is a need or vacancy. At                  his/her delegate, or the IHS, Tribal,
                                                  a federally recognized Tribe or an                 each Indian health facility, the HPSA                 Urban, or Buy Indian health center
                                                  Alaska Native (recognized by the                   score for mental health will be utilized              entry-on-duty date, whichever is more
                                                  Secretary of the Interior), provide a              for all behavioral health professions, the            recent.
                                                  certification of Tribal enrollment by              HPSA score for dental health will be                    In addition to the loan payment,
                                                  the Secretary of the Interior, acting              utilized for all dentistry and dental                 participants are provided tax assistance


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:31 Apr 17, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00043   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM   18APN1


                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 18, 2018 / Notices                                                 17181

                                             payments in an amount not less than 20                  primary health services, after the                    discussions could disclose confidential
                                             percent and not more than 39 percent of                 completion of the period of obligated                 trade secrets or commercial property
                                             the participant’s total amount of loan                  service under the LRP.                                such as patentable material, and
                                             repayments made for the taxable year                      Contracts may be awarded to those                   personal information concerning
                                             involved. The loan repayments and the                   who are available for service no later                individuals associated with the grant
                                             tax assistance payments are taxable                     than September 30, 2018, and must be                  applications and/or contract proposals,
                                             income and will be reported to the                      in compliance with 25 U.S.C. 1616a. In                the disclosure of which would
                                             Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The tax                 order to ensure compliance with the                   constitute a clearly unwarranted
                                             assistance payment will be paid to the                  statutes, area offices or service units               invasion of personal privacy.
                                             IRS directly on the participant’s behalf.               providing additional funding under this                  Name of Committee: National Advisory
                                             LRP award recipients should be aware                    section are responsible for notifying the             Mental Health Council.
                                             that the IRS may place them in a higher                 LRP of such payments before funding is                   Date: May 17, 2018.
                                             tax bracket than they would otherwise                   offered to the LRP participant.                          Open: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
                                             have been prior to their award.                           Should an IHS area office contribute                   Agenda: Presentation of the NIMH
                                             C. Contract Extensions                                  to the LRP, those funds will be used for              Director’s Report and discussion of NIMH
                                                                                                     only those sites located in that area.                program.
                                               Any individual who enters this                        Those sites will retain their relative                   Place: National Institutes of Health,
                                             program and satisfactorily completes his                ranking from their Health Professions                 Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive
                                             or her obligated period of service may                  Shortage Areas (HPSA) scores. For                     Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852.
                                             apply to extend his/her contract on a                   example, the Albuquerque Area Office                     Closed: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
                                             year-by-year basis, as determined by the                identifies supplemental monies for                       Agenda: To review and evaluate grant
                                             IHS. Participants extending their                       dentists. Only the dental positions                   applications and/or proposals.
                                             contracts may receive up to the                         within the Albuquerque Area will be                      Place: National Institutes of Health,
                                             maximum amount of $20,000 per year                      funded with the supplemental monies                   Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive
                                             plus an additional 20 percent for                       consistent with the HPSA scores within                Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852.
                                             Federal withholding.                                    that area.                                               Contact Person: Jean G. Noronha, Ph.D.,
                                                                                                       Should an IHS service unit contribute               Director, Division of Extramural Activities,
                                             VII. Agency Contact                                                                                           National Institute of Mental Health, NIH,
                                                                                                     to the LRP, those funds will be used for
                                               Please address inquiries to Ms.                       only those sites located in that service              Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Blvd.,
                                             Jacqueline K. Santiago, Chief, IHS Loan                                                                       Room 6154, MSC 9609, Bethesda, MD 20892–
                                                                                                     unit. Those sites will retain their
                                             Repayment Program, 5600 Fishers Lane,                                                                         9609, 301–443–3367, jnoronha@mail.nih.gov.
                                                                                                     relative ranking from their HPSA scores.
                                             Mail Stop: OHR (11E53A), Rockville,                                                                              Any member of the public interested in
                                             Maryland 20857, Telephone: 301/443–                       Dated: April 9, 2018.                               presenting oral comments to the committee
                                             3396 [between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.                   Michael D. Weahkee,                                   may notify the Contact Person listed on this
                                             (Eastern Standard Time) Monday                          RADM, Assistant Surgeon General, U.S.                 notice at least 10 days in advance of the
                                             through Friday, except Federal                          Public Health Service, Acting Director, Indian        meeting. Interested individuals and
                                             holidays].                                              Health Service.                                       representatives of organizations may submit
                                                                                                     [FR Doc. 2018–07892 Filed 4–17–18; 8:45 am]           a letter of intent, a brief description of the
                                             VIII. Other Information                                 BILLING CODE 4165–16–P                                organization represented, and a short
                                                IHS area offices and service units that                                                                    description of the oral presentation. Only one
                                             are financially able are authorized to                                                                        representative of an organization may be
                                             provide additional funding to make                      DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                              allowed to present oral comments and if
                                             awards to applicants in the LRP, but not                HUMAN SERVICES                                        accepted by the committee, presentations
                                             to exceed the maximum allowable                                                                               may be limited to five minutes. Both printed
                                             amount authorized by statute per year,                  National Institutes of Health                         and electronic copies are requested for the
                                                                                                                                                           record. In addition, any interested person
                                             plus tax assistance. All additional                     National Institute of Mental Health;                  may file written comments with the
                                             funding must be made in accordance                      Notice of Meeting                                     committee by forwarding their statement to
                                             with the priority system outlined below.
                                                                                                                                                           the Contact Person listed on this notice. The
                                             Health professions given priority for                      Pursuant to section 10(d) of the
                                                                                                                                                           statement should include the name, address,
                                             selection above the $20,000 threshold                   Federal Advisory Committee Act, as                    telephone number and when applicable, the
                                             are those identified as meeting the                     amended, notice is hereby given of a                  business or professional affiliation of the
                                             criteria in 25 U.S.C. 1616a(g)(2)(A),                   meeting of the National Advisory                      interested person.
                                             which provides that the Secretary shall                 Mental Health Council.                                   Information is also available on the
                                             consider the extent to which each such                     The meeting will be open to the                    Institute’s/Center’s home page:
                                             determination:                                          public as indicated below, with                       www.nimh.nih.gov/about/advisory-boards-
                                                • Affects the ability of the Secretary               attendance limited to space available.                and-groups/namhc/index.shtml., where an
                                             to maximize the number of contracts                     Individuals who plan to attend and                    agenda and any additional information for
                                             that can be provided under the LRP                      need special assistance, such as sign                 the meeting will be posted when available.
                                             from the amounts appropriated for such                  language interpretation or other                      (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance
                                             contracts;                                              reasonable accommodations, should                     Program No. 93.242, Mental Health Research
                                                • Provides an incentive to serve in                  notify the Contact Person listed below                Grants, National Institutes of Health, HHS)
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES




                                             Indian health programs with the greatest                in advance of the meeting.
                                                                                                                                                             Dated: April 12, 2018.
                                             shortages of health professionals; and                     The meeting will be closed to the
                                                • Provides an incentive with respect                 public in accordance with the                         Melanie J. Pantoja,
                                             to the health professional involved                     provisions set forth in sections                      Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory
                                             remaining in an Indian health program                   552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C.,            Committee Policy.
                                             with such a health professional                         as amended. The grant applications                    [FR Doc. 2018–08049 Filed 4–17–18; 8:45 am]
                                             shortage, and continuing to provide                     and/or contract proposals and the                     BILLING CODE 4140–01–P




                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:31 Apr 17, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00044   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM   18APN1



Document Created: 2018-04-18 02:59:52
Document Modified: 2018-04-18 02:59:52
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
DatesApril 18, 2018, first award cycle deadline date; August 15, 2018, last award cycle deadline date; September 15, 2018, last award cycle deadline date for supplemental loan repayment program funds; September 30, 2018, entry on duty deadline date.
FR Citation83 FR 17179 

2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR