Request for Public Comment on Draft Health Center Program Compliance Manual

HRSA is inviting public comment on the Draft Health Center Program Compliance Manual, hereafter referred to as the Compliance Manual. The purpose of the Compliance Manual is to provide a consolidated web-based resource to assist current and prospective health centers in understanding and demonstrating compliance with requirements of the Health Center Program, a HRSA-administered program authorized under 42 U.S.C. 254b. The Compliance Manual identifies requirements found in the Health Center Program's authorizing legislation and implementing regulations, as well as certain applicable grant regulations. The Compliance Manual also addresses HRSA's approach to determining eligibility for and oversight of the Health Center Program. In addition, the Compliance Manual includes the requirements for obtaining deemed Public Health Service (PHS) employee status under the Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Acts of 1992 and 1995, for purposes of Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) liability protections for the performance of medical, surgical, dental, and related functions within the scope of deemed PHS employment.