Medicaid Program; Establishment of the Medicaid Commission and Request for Nominations for Members, 29765-29767 [05-10409]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 24, 2005 / Notices
data collection/entry employee well
documented (e.g., letter of commitment/
contract, position descriptions,
resumes)?—3 Points.
V.2. Review and Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for
completeness by the Procurement and
Grants Office (PGO) staff and for
responsiveness by NCCDPHP.
Incomplete applications and
applications that are non-responsive to
the eligibility criteria will not advance
through the review process. Applicants
will be notified that their application
did not meet submission requirements.
A Special Emphasis Review Panel
consisting of external experts will
evaluate complete and responsive
applications according to the criteria
listed in the ‘‘V.1. Criteria’’ section
above.
The review process will be directed
by the Procurement and Grants Office
(PGO) staff to ensure compliance with
HHS and CDC grant review guidelines.
In addition, the following factors may
affect the funding decision:
• Geographic diversity—Not more
than one grant awarded per state.
• Rural and urban settings—A
balanced mix of grants to Native
populations living in urban settings and
reservation/rural communities.
CDC will provide justification for any
decision to fund out of rank order.
V.3. Anticipated Announcement and
Award Dates
The anticipated award announcement
date is August 31, 2005.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a
Notice of Award (NoA) from the CDC
Procurement and Grants Office. The
NoA shall be the only binding,
authorizing document between the
recipient and CDC. The NoA will be
signed by an authorized Grants
Management Officer, and mailed to the
recipient fiscal officer identified in the
application. Unsuccessful applicants
will receive notification of the results of
the application review by mail.
VI.2. Administrative and National
Policy Requirements
45 CFR part 74 and part 92. For more
information on the Code of Federal
Regulations, see the National Archives
and Records Administration at the
following Internet address: https://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-tablesearch.html.
The following additional
requirements apply to this project:
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17:36 May 23, 2005
Jkt 205001
• AR–9 Paperwork Reduction Act
Requirements.
• AR–10 Smoke-Free Workplace
Requirements.
• AR–11 Healthy People 2010.
• AR–12 Lobbying Restrictions.
• AR–14 Accounting System
Requirements.
• AR–15 Proof of Non-Profit Status.
• AR–25 Release and Sharing of
Data.
Additional information on these
requirements can be found on the CDC
Web site at the following Internet
address: https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/
funding/ARs.htm.
An additional Certifications form
from the PHS 5161–1 application needs
to be included in your Grants.gov
electronic submission only. Refer to
https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/
PHS5161–1Certificates.pdf. Once the
form is filled out, attach it to your
Grants.gov submission as Other
Attachment Forms.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
You must provide CDC with an
original, plus two hard copies of the
following reports:
1. Interim progress report, due no less
than 90 days before the end of the
budget period. The progress report will
serve as your non-competing
continuation application, and must
contain the following elements:
a. Current Budget Period Activities
Objectives.
b. Current Budget Period Financial
Progress.
c. New Budget Period Program
Proposed Activity Objectives.
d. Budget.
e. Measures of Effectiveness.
f. Additional Requested Information.
2. Financial status report, no more
than 90 days after the end of the budget
period.
3. Final financial and performance
reports, no more than 90 days after the
end of the project period.
These reports must be mailed to the
Grants Management or Contract
Specialist listed in the ‘‘Agency
Contacts’’ section of this announcement.
VII. Agency Contacts
We encourage inquiries concerning
this announcement.
For general questions, contact:
Technical Information Management
Section, CDC Procurement and Grants
Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta,
GA 30341; Telephone: 770–488–2700.
For program technical assistance,
contact: Maria E. Burns, Project Officer,
c/o 1720 Louisiana Blvd., NE, Suite 208,
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110;
Telephone: (505) 240–0477; e-mail:
mburns@cdc.gov.
PO 00000
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29765
For financial, grants management, or
budget assistance, contact: Tracey Sims,
Grants Management Specialist, CDC
Procurement and Grants Office, 2920
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341;
Telephone: 770/488–2739; e-mail:
atu9@cdc.gov.
VIII. Other Information
This and other CDC funding
opportunity announcements can be
found on the CDC Web site, Internet
address: https://www.cdc.gov. Click on
‘‘Funding’’ then ‘‘Grants and
Cooperative Agreements.’’
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05–10297 Filed 5–23–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163–18–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[CMS–2214–N]
Medicaid Program; Establishment of
the Medicaid Commission and Request
for Nominations for Members
Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice announces the
establishment of the Medicaid
Commission and discusses the group’s
purpose and charter. It also solicits
nominations for members.
DATES: Nominations for membership
will be considered if they are received
by June 3, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Send nominations to:
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore Maryland 21244–1850, Policy
Coordination and Planning Group, Mail
stop S2–26–12, Attention: Mary Beth
Hance
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Beth Hance, (410) 786–4299. Press
inquiries are handled through the CMS
Press Office at (202) 690–6145.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Secretary of the Department of
Health and Human Services is
establishing a Medicaid Commission
under Pub. L. 92–463, Federal Advisory
Committee Act, to advise the Secretary
on ways to modernize the Medicaid
program so that it can provide highquality health care to its beneficiaries in
a financially sustainable way.
E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM
24MYN1
29766
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 24, 2005 / Notices
II. Charter, General Responsibilities,
and Composition of the Medicaid
Commission
A. Charter Information and General
Responsibilities
On May 19, 2005, the Secretary signed
the charter establishing the Medicaid
Commission. The Commission will
terminate 30 days after the date of
submission of the final report to the
Secretary, but no later than January 31,
2007. The Commission, as chartered
under the legal authority of 42 U.S.C
217a, section 222 of the Public Health
Service Act, is also governed by the
provisions of the Pub. L. 92–463, as
amended (5 U.S.C. appendix 2), which
sets forth standards for the formation
and use of advisory committees, and the
provisions of the Government in the
Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b(b).
You may view obtain a copy of the
Secretary’s charter for the Medicaid
Commission at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/
faca/stcomm.asp.
The Commission shall submit two
reports to the Secretary for his
consideration and submission to
Congress. By September 1, 2005, the
Commission will provide
recommendations on options to achieve
$10 billion in scorable Medicaid savings
over five years while at the same time
make progress toward meaningful
longer-term program changes to better
serve beneficiaries. The Commission
will also consider, to the extent feasible,
specific performance goals for the
Medicaid program, as a basis for its
longer-term recommendations. By
December 31, 2006, the Commission is
tasked with making longer-term
recommendations on the future of the
Medicaid program that ensures the longterm sustainability of the program.
Meetings shall be open to the public
except when closure is specifically
allowed by statute, and after all
statutory and regulatory requirements
for doing so have been met. The
Secretary or other official to whom the
authority has been delegated shall make
such determinations. Notice of all
meetings shall be given to the public.
The Commission shall develop
proposals that address the following
long-term issues:
• Eligibility, benefits design, and
delivery;
• Expanding the number of people
covered with quality care while
recognizing budget constraints;
• Long term care;
• Quality of care, choice, and
beneficiary satisfaction;
• Program administration; and
• Other topics that the Secretary may
submit to the Commission.
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17:36 May 23, 2005
Jkt 205001
The Secretary will request the
representatives of the three public
policy organizations (as referenced
below) to consider these issues and
provide relevant information to the
Commission within specified
timeframes. The Commission shall
consider how to address these issues
under a budget scenario that assumes
Federal and State spending under the
current baseline; a scenario that
assumes Congress will choose to lower
the rate of growth in the program; and
a scenario that may increase spending
for coverage. The Commission shall
assume that the basic matching
relationship between the Federal
Government and States will be
continued.
B. Composition of the Medicaid
Commission
The Commission shall consist of three
types of member groups, of which only
one will have authority to vote on the
recommendations to be provided to the
Secretary. The first group will consist of
up to 15 voting members.
Voting Members:
• Former or current Governors.
• Three representatives of public
policy organizations involved in major
health care policy issues for families,
individuals with disabilities, lowincome individuals, or the elderly.
• Former or current State Medicaid
Directors.
• Individuals with expertise in
health, finance, or administration.
• Federal officials who administer
programs that serve the Medicaid
population.
• The Secretary (or the Secretary’s
designee) and such other members as
the Secretary may specify.
• Ex Officio Members.
Non-Voting Advisor Members:
A group of up to 15 non-voting
advisors will support the Commission’s
deliberations with their special
expertise. These will include State and
local government officials, consumer
and provider representatives who have
an inherent interest in the Medicaid
program.
Non-voting Congressional Advisor
Members:
The Congressional Members will
consist of eight non-voting members
who are current members of the Senate
and House of Representatives. The
Secretary will request the following
legislative leaders to make one
Congressional selection each:
• Senate Majority Leader.
• Senate Minority Leader.
• Chairman, Senate Finance
Committee.
• Ranking Member, Senate Finance
Committee.
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Frm 00052
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
• Speaker, House of Representatives.
• Minority Leader, House of
Representatives.
• Chairman, House Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
• Ranking Member, House Committee
on Energy and Commerce.
III. Submission of Nominations
We are requesting nominations for
membership as voting members or as
non-voting members on the Medicaid
Commission. We will consider qualified
individuals who are self-nominated or
are nominated by organizations
representing States, beneficiaries, and
providers when we select these
representatives. The Secretary will
appoint members to serve on the
Commission from among those
candidates that we determine have the
technical expertise to meet specific
agency needs in a manner to ensure an
appropriate balance of membership.
Any interested person may nominate
one or more qualified individuals for
each of the categories listed in section
II.B of this notice. Each nomination
must include the following information:
1. A letter of nomination that contains
contact information for both the
nominator and nominee (if not the
same).
2. A statement from the nominee that
he or she is willing to serve on the
Commission for its duration (that is,
through January 31, 2007) and an
explanation of the nominee’s interest in
serving on the Commission. (For selfnominations, this information may be
included in the nomination letter.)
3. A curriculum vitae that indicates
the nominee’s educational and
Medicaid experiences.
4. Two letters of reference that
support the nominee’s qualifications for
participation on the Commission. (For
nominations other than selfnominations, a nomination letter that
includes information supporting the
nominee’s qualifications may be
counted as one of the letters of
reference.)
To ensure that a nomination is
considered, we must receive all of the
nomination information specified in
section III of this notice by June 3, 2005.
Nominations should be mailed to the
address specified in the ADDRESSES
section of this notice.
Authority: 42 U.S.C 217 (a), section 222 of
the Public Health Service Act, as amended.
The Medicaid Commission is governed by
the provisions of Pub. L. 92–463 as amended
(5 U.S.C. appendix 2), which sets forth
standards for the formation and use of
advisory committees.
E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM
24MYN1
29767
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 24, 2005 / Notices
Dated: May 10, 2005.
Mark McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 05–10409 Filed 5–20–05; 12:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and
Families
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
Title: Head Start National Training
and Technical Assistance Quality
Assurance Study.
OMB No.: New Collection.
Description: The Head Start National
Training and Technical Assistance
Quality Assurance study is being
undertaken to document and provide
feedback on the work of the newly
designed Head Start Training and
Technical Assistance (T/TA) system.
The Head Start Bureau awarded this
contract to Mathematica Policy
Research, Inc., and its subcontractor,
Xtria LLC, in October 2004.
Providing training and technical
assistance has long been a crucial
component of the national-regional
Head Start system. Through the new T/
TA system, however, the Head Start
Bureau has placed greater emphasis on
quality and consistency of T/TA service
delivery. Under the new T/TA system,
the Head Start Bureau’s T/TA Branch
annually sets national priorities.
Regional Office T/TA liaisons oversee
the system’s 12 contracts, awarded in
December 2003, which include locallybased content experts in the area of
disabilities, early literacy, child
development, fiscal administration and
management, health, and family and
community partnerships. These content
experts support locally-based TA
specialists (TAS), who work with a
caseload of 10 to 12 programs to
develop T/TA training plans based on
each grantee’s self-assessment and the
results from the Program Review
Instrument for Systems Monitoring
(PRISM) process. National contractors
provide training and other resources
according to priorities determined by
the Head Start Bureau and in line with
Administration initiatives. Programs can
also use their special T/TA grant funds
and, when necessary, additional funds
from their basic Head Start grant funds
to hire consultants or attend training
events.
In addition, through Higher Education
Grants, universities provide coursework
to meet Head Start staff’s credentialing
needs in partnership with Head Start
programs. The Higher Education
grantees (HEGs) are organized into three
consortia, representing Historically
Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal
Colleges and Universities, and
Hispanic/Latino-serving institutions.
For the regional Head Start system,
the Quality Assurance Study will assess
(1) Each Head Start region’s
implementation and structure of the
new system, (2) regional T/TA strategies
and services provided to grantees, (3)
grantees’ progress in assessing T/TA
needs and identifying appropriate ways
to meet these needs, (4) grantees’ annual
T/TA plans, and (5) grantees’
perceptions about the systems’ impact
on program quality and child outcomes.
The study also will analyze whether the
HEGs meet their goal of increasing the
early childhood credentials of Head
Start staff and teachers. In 2005, the
study will collect information about the
delivery of T/TA services to Head Start
and Early Head Start programs through
site visits to 48 representative programs
(about 4 per region) and site visits to 15
HEGs (5 of each of the 3 types of HEGs).
In 2006, the study will visit 36 of the 48
representative Head Start and Early
Head Start programs to learn about
changes in the T/TA system. All data
collection activities have been designed
to minimize the burden on respondents
by minimizing the time required to
respond. Participation in the study is
voluntary.
The research will provide the Head
Start Bureau and the Administration for
Children and Families with information
about exemplary practices as well as
areas in the T/TA system which could
be improved.
Respondents: Early Head Start and
Head Start directors, coordinators,
specialists, center administrators,
teachers, and home visitors; locallybased TA specialists; university-based
HEG project directors, university
faculty, Head Start program
administrators, and Head Start program
staff and teachers.
Annual Burden Estimates
Number of responses per
respondent
Average burden hours per
response
48
144
288
480
48
48
1
1
1
1
1
1
1.5
1.25
1.25
1.25
1.5
0.5
72
180
360
600
72
24
HEG Project Director/Coordinator ...................................................................
HEG Staff/Faculty ............................................................................................
HS Director ......................................................................................................
HS Staff ...........................................................................................................
15
45
30
60
1
1
1
1
1.5
1
1
1
22.5
45
30
60
Total for 2005 ...........................................................................................
........................
........................
........................
1465.5
1
1
1
1
1
1.5
1.25
1.25
1.25
1.5
54
135
270
450
54
Number of respondents
Instrument
Total burden
hours
Program Site Visit Protocols (2005)
Director ............................................................................................................
Coordinator/Specialist ......................................................................................
Center Administrator ........................................................................................
Teacher/Home Visitor ......................................................................................
Locally-Based TA Specialists ..........................................................................
Program Reviews a ..........................................................................................
HEG Site Visit Protocols (2005)
Grantee Site Visit Protocols (2005)
Director ............................................................................................................
Coordinator/Specialist ......................................................................................
Center Administrator ........................................................................................
Teacher/Home Visitor ......................................................................................
Locally-Based TA Specialist ............................................................................
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17:36 May 23, 2005
Jkt 205001
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36
108
216
360
36
E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM
24MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29765-29767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10409]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-2214-N]
Medicaid Program; Establishment of the Medicaid Commission and
Request for Nominations for Members
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces the establishment of the Medicaid
Commission and discusses the group's purpose and charter. It also
solicits nominations for members.
DATES: Nominations for membership will be considered if they are
received by June 3, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Send nominations to: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore Maryland 21244-1850,
Policy Coordination and Planning Group, Mail stop S2-26-12, Attention:
Mary Beth Hance
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Beth Hance, (410) 786-4299. Press
inquiries are handled through the CMS Press Office at (202) 690-6145.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services is
establishing a Medicaid Commission under Pub. L. 92-463, Federal
Advisory Committee Act, to advise the Secretary on ways to modernize
the Medicaid program so that it can provide high-quality health care to
its beneficiaries in a financially sustainable way.
[[Page 29766]]
II. Charter, General Responsibilities, and Composition of the Medicaid
Commission
A. Charter Information and General Responsibilities
On May 19, 2005, the Secretary signed the charter establishing the
Medicaid Commission. The Commission will terminate 30 days after the
date of submission of the final report to the Secretary, but no later
than January 31, 2007. The Commission, as chartered under the legal
authority of 42 U.S.C 217a, section 222 of the Public Health Service
Act, is also governed by the provisions of the Pub. L. 92-463, as
amended (5 U.S.C. appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the
formation and use of advisory committees, and the provisions of the
Government in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b(b).
You may view obtain a copy of the Secretary's charter for the
Medicaid Commission at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/faca/stcomm.asp.
The Commission shall submit two reports to the Secretary for his
consideration and submission to Congress. By September 1, 2005, the
Commission will provide recommendations on options to achieve $10
billion in scorable Medicaid savings over five years while at the same
time make progress toward meaningful longer-term program changes to
better serve beneficiaries. The Commission will also consider, to the
extent feasible, specific performance goals for the Medicaid program,
as a basis for its longer-term recommendations. By December 31, 2006,
the Commission is tasked with making longer-term recommendations on the
future of the Medicaid program that ensures the long-term
sustainability of the program.
Meetings shall be open to the public except when closure is
specifically allowed by statute, and after all statutory and regulatory
requirements for doing so have been met. The Secretary or other
official to whom the authority has been delegated shall make such
determinations. Notice of all meetings shall be given to the public.
The Commission shall develop proposals that address the following
long-term issues:
Eligibility, benefits design, and delivery;
Expanding the number of people covered with quality care
while recognizing budget constraints;
Long term care;
Quality of care, choice, and beneficiary satisfaction;
Program administration; and
Other topics that the Secretary may submit to the
Commission.
The Secretary will request the representatives of the three public
policy organizations (as referenced below) to consider these issues and
provide relevant information to the Commission within specified
timeframes. The Commission shall consider how to address these issues
under a budget scenario that assumes Federal and State spending under
the current baseline; a scenario that assumes Congress will choose to
lower the rate of growth in the program; and a scenario that may
increase spending for coverage. The Commission shall assume that the
basic matching relationship between the Federal Government and States
will be continued.
B. Composition of the Medicaid Commission
The Commission shall consist of three types of member groups, of
which only one will have authority to vote on the recommendations to be
provided to the Secretary. The first group will consist of up to 15
voting members.
Voting Members:
Former or current Governors.
Three representatives of public policy organizations
involved in major health care policy issues for families, individuals
with disabilities, low-income individuals, or the elderly.
Former or current State Medicaid Directors.
Individuals with expertise in health, finance, or
administration.
Federal officials who administer programs that serve the
Medicaid population.
The Secretary (or the Secretary's designee) and such other
members as the Secretary may specify.
Ex Officio Members.
Non-Voting Advisor Members:
A group of up to 15 non-voting advisors will support the
Commission's deliberations with their special expertise. These will
include State and local government officials, consumer and provider
representatives who have an inherent interest in the Medicaid program.
Non-voting Congressional Advisor Members:
The Congressional Members will consist of eight non-voting members
who are current members of the Senate and House of Representatives. The
Secretary will request the following legislative leaders to make one
Congressional selection each:
Senate Majority Leader.
Senate Minority Leader.
Chairman, Senate Finance Committee.
Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee.
Speaker, House of Representatives.
Minority Leader, House of Representatives.
Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Ranking Member, House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
III. Submission of Nominations
We are requesting nominations for membership as voting members or
as non-voting members on the Medicaid Commission. We will consider
qualified individuals who are self-nominated or are nominated by
organizations representing States, beneficiaries, and providers when we
select these representatives. The Secretary will appoint members to
serve on the Commission from among those candidates that we determine
have the technical expertise to meet specific agency needs in a manner
to ensure an appropriate balance of membership.
Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified
individuals for each of the categories listed in section II.B of this
notice. Each nomination must include the following information:
1. A letter of nomination that contains contact information for
both the nominator and nominee (if not the same).
2. A statement from the nominee that he or she is willing to serve
on the Commission for its duration (that is, through January 31, 2007)
and an explanation of the nominee's interest in serving on the
Commission. (For self-nominations, this information may be included in
the nomination letter.)
3. A curriculum vitae that indicates the nominee's educational and
Medicaid experiences.
4. Two letters of reference that support the nominee's
qualifications for participation on the Commission. (For nominations
other than self-nominations, a nomination letter that includes
information supporting the nominee's qualifications may be counted as
one of the letters of reference.)
To ensure that a nomination is considered, we must receive all of
the nomination information specified in section III of this notice by
June 3, 2005. Nominations should be mailed to the address specified in
the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
Authority: 42 U.S.C 217 (a), section 222 of the Public Health
Service Act, as amended. The Medicaid Commission is governed by the
provisions of Pub. L. 92-463 as amended (5 U.S.C. appendix 2), which
sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory
committees.
[[Page 29767]]
Dated: May 10, 2005.
Mark McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 05-10409 Filed 5-20-05; 12:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
