SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. The term “collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment.

Information Collection

1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection (Request for a new OMB control number); Title of Information Collection: CMS Meeting Request Public Portal; Use: CMS is seeking approval to streamline the process for entities requesting external meetings. The proposed CMS Meeting Request Portal will gather only necessary information for representatives of the organization to meet with a representative of the federal government. This simplified approach aims to reduce administrative burden while enhancing transparency and accountability in meeting requests. By focusing on essential information, CMS ensures that the evaluation and screening process for private requests remains efficient and centered on logistics, scheduling, and conflict of interest. The proposed information collection aligns with CMS's commitment to stakeholder engagement while ensuring compliance with all applicable federal laws, regulations, and security protocols.

The information will be collected solely from organizations and third-party requestors, such as law firms or other entities acting on behalf of organizations, that seek a meeting with the Administrator. The implementation of an online portal will facilitate the ease and efficiency of submitting requests. Requestors will have the capability to securely enter their requests electronically through this portal. Information collection is voluntary, whether or not it is provided through the portal or via a letter, but no matter how it is submitted to CMS, failure to provide the requested information will result in CMS's inability to review, process, and/or act on the request.

Subsequent to submitting the 60-day notice, we decided to add the organization's mailing address to the list of data elements. Similarly, we also updated the projected number of respondents from 427 to 465 based on updated data. These changes will not have an effect on the original burden estimate of 20 minutes per request; however, we adjusted the total annual burden from 142 hours to 155 hours. Form Number: CMS-10943 (OMB control number: 0938-New); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Individuals, Private Sector—Business or other for-profits, Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 465; Total Annual Responses: 465; Total Annual Hours: 155 hours. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Erin Palmer at (202) 690-5943.)

91 FR 25361