Office of the Secretary August 7, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice describes the procedure utilized for implementing Section 6053(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Public Law 109- 171 for fiscal year 2008. Section 6053(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act provides for a modification of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages for any state which has a significant number of evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. This notice also includes an interpretation of evacuee. HHS issued a notice on January 25, 2007, announcing for public comment, a proposed methodology to implement the requirements of Section 6053(b). The notice allowed 30 days for public comment. We received one timely comment from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The comment letter contained several suggestions which are summarized and responded to below.