Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for Members of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee and Notice of Meeting of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee-May 18, 2006, 14901-14903 [06-2568]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 57 / Friday, March 24, 2006 / Notices
charter, general responsibilities, and
structure of the EMTALA TAG. That
notice also solicited nominations for
members based on the statutory
requirements for the EMTALA TAG.
Section 945(b) of the MMA specifies the
composition of the TAG. (For more
information regarding the TAG
composition see the May 28, 2004 (69
FR 30654) Federal Register). The
EMTALA TAG held three meetings
during calendar year 2005. (See the
March 15, 2005 (70 FR 12691), May 18,
2005 (70 FR 28541), and September 23,
2005 (70 FR 55903) Federal Register).
II. Selection of New EMTALA TAG
Member
In the March 15, 2005 Federal
Register (70 FR 12691), we announced
the EMTALA TAG membership. One of
those original members, a physician
representative in the field of psychiatry,
is unable to complete her term of
service. In selecting a replacement, the
TAG must maintain the member
composition described in section 945(b)
of the MMA. We note that section
945(b)(2) of the MMA specifies the
physician members of the TAG as
follows: ‘‘7 shall be practicing
physicians drawn from the fields of
emergency medicine, cardiology or
cardiothoracic surgery, orthopedic
surgery, neurosurgery, pediatrics or a
pediatric subspecialty, obstetricsgynecology, and psychiatry, with no
more than one physician from any
particular field.’’ For this reason and to
ensure that the concerns of practicing
physicians are appropriately considered
during TAG deliberations, another
practicing physician in the field of
psychiatry has been selected to serve as
a member of the TAG. The new member
is Sul Ross Thorward, M.D. of Twin
Valley Behavioral Healthcare in
Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Thorward was
selected from the original list of
nominees for the EMTALA TAG.
Authority: Section 945 of the Medicare
Prescription Drug, Improvement, and
Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA).
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program No. 93.773, Medicare—Hospital
Insurance; and Program No. 93.774,
Medicare—Supplementary Medical
Insurance Program)
Dated: February 23, 2006.
Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 06–2569 Filed 3–23–06; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[CMS–3163–N]
Medicare Program; Request for
Nominations for Members of the
Medicare Coverage Advisory
Committee and Notice of Meeting of
the Medicare Coverage Advisory
Committee—May 18, 2006
Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice requests
nominations for consideration for
membership on the Medicare Coverage
Advisory Committee (MCAC). The
Committee provides advice and
recommendations about whether
scientific evidence is adequate to
determine whether certain medical
items and services are reasonable and
necessary under the Medicare statute.
This notice also announces a public
meeting of the MCAC. The meeting will
address the use of non-invasive imaging
technologies versus cardiac
catheterization in the diagnosis of
coronary artery disease. Notice of this
meeting is given under the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.
2, section 10(a)).
Nominations: Deadline and Address:
Nominations will be considered if
postmarked by April 23, 2006 and
mailed to the Executive Secretary (see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Secretary’s Charter: Obtain a copy of
the Secretary’s Charter for the Medicare
Coverage Advisory Committee from
Maria Ellis, Office of Clinical Standards
and Quality, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Mail Stop: 1–09–06,
Baltimore, MD 21244; (410) 786–0309;
Maria.Ellis@cms.hhs.gov. This charter is
also posted on the following Web site:
https://www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/
downloads/mcaccharter.pdf.
Meeting: Date and Location: The
public meeting will be held in the main
auditorium of the Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244, on
Thursday, May 18, 2006, from 7:30 a.m.
until 4:30 p.m., e.d.t.
Presentation and Comments:
Interested persons can present data,
information, or views orally or in
writing on issues pending before the
Committee. Please submit written
comments to the Executive Secretary by
mail or email (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT).
PO 00000
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14901
Deadline for Written Comments and
Presentations: Written comments and
presentations for the public meeting
must be received by April 24, 2006, 5
p.m., e.d.t. The presentation that will be
submitted must be your final
presentation; no further changes will be
accepted.
Deadline for Registration to Attend
Meeting: For security reasons,
individuals wishing to attend this
meeting must register by close of
business on May 11, 2006.
Special Accommodations: Persons
attending the meeting who are hearing
or visually impaired, or who have a
condition that requires special
assistance or accommodations, are
asked to notify the Executive Secretary
by May 11, 2006 (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT).
Web site: You may access up-to-date
information on this meeting at https://
www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/
02_MCAC.asp#TopOfPage.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle Atkinson, Executive Secretary,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, Central Building 01–09–06,
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD
21244; (410) 786–2881;
Michelle.Atkinson@cms.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
A. Nominations
On December 14, 1998, we published
a notice in the Federal Register (63 FR
68780) announcing the establishment of
the Medicare Coverage Advisory
Committee (MCAC). The Secretary
signed the initial charter for the MCAC
on November 24, 1998. The charter was
renewed and will terminate on
November 24, 2006, unless renewed
again by the Secretary.
The MCAC is governed by provisions
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(Pub. L. 92–463), as amended (5 U.S.C.
App. 2), which sets forth standards for
the formulation and use of advisory
committees, and is authorized by
section 222 of the Public Health Service
Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 217A).
The MCAC consists of a pool of 100
appointed members. Members are
selected from among authorities in
clinical medicine of all specialties,
administrative medicine, public health,
biologic and physical sciences, health
care data and information management
and analysis, patient advocacy, the
economics of health care, medical
ethics, and other related professions
such as epidemiology and biostatistics,
and methodology of trial design. A
maximum of 88 members are standard
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 57 / Friday, March 24, 2006 / Notices
voting members, and 12 are nonvoting
members (6 of which are representatives
of consumer interests, and 6 of which
are representatives of industry
interests).
The MCAC functions on a committee
basis. The committee reviews and
evaluates medical literature, reviews
technology assessments, and examines
data and information on the
effectiveness and appropriateness of
medical items and services that are
covered or eligible for coverage under
Medicare. The Committee works from
an agenda provided by the Designated
Federal Official that lists specific issues,
and develops technical advice to assist
us in determining reasonable and
necessary applications of medical
services and technology when we make
national coverage decisions for
Medicare.
B. Meeting
On December 14, 1998, we published
a notice in the Federal Register (63 FR
68780) to describe the Medicare
Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC),
which provides advice and
recommendations to us about clinical
issues. This notice announces a public
meeting of the Committee.
The Committee will discuss evidence
and hear presentations and public
comments regarding the use of noninvasive imaging technologies versus
cardiac catheterization in the diagnosis
of coronary artery disease.
Background information about this
topic, including panel materials, is
available on the Internet at https://
www.cms.hhs.gov/coverage/.
II. Provisions
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES
A. Nominations
As of December 2006, there will be 50
terms of membership expiring, 3 of
which are non-voting consumer
representatives, and 4 of which are nonvoting industry representatives.
Accordingly, we are requesting
nominations for both voting and nonvoting members to serve on the MCAC.
Nominees are selected based upon their
individual qualifications, and not as
representatives of professional
associations or societies.
We have a special interest in ensuring
that women, minority groups, and
physically challenged individuals are
adequately represented on the MCAC.
Therefore, we encourage nominations of
qualified candidates from these groups.
All nominations must be
accompanied by curricula vitae.
Nomination packages must be sent to
the Executive Secretary (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
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Nominees for voting membership
must have expertise and experience in
one or more of the following fields:
Clinical medicine of all specialties,
administrative medicine, public health,
patient advocacy, biologic and physical
sciences, health care data and
information management and analysis,
the economics of health care, medical
ethics, and other related professions
such as epidemiology and biostatistics,
and methodology of trial design.
We are also seeking nominations for
seven non-voting representatives, three
of which are consumer representatives
and four of which are industry
representatives. Nominees for this
position must possess appropriate
qualifications to understand and
contribute to the MCAC’s work.
The nomination letter must include a
statement that the nominee is willing to
serve as a member of the MCAC and
appears to have no conflict of interest
that would preclude membership. We
are requesting that all curricula vitae
include the following: Date of birth,
place of birth, social security number,
title and current position, professional
affiliation, home and business address,
telephone and fax numbers, e-mail
address, and list of areas of expertise. In
the nominations letter, we are
requesting that the nominee specify
whether applying for a voting position,
a consumer representative position, or
an industry representative position.
Potential candidates will be asked to
provide detailed information concerning
matters such as financial holdings,
consultancies, and research grants or
contracts in order to permit evaluation
of possible sources of conflict of
interest.
Members are invited to serve for
overlapping 2-year terms. A member can
serve after the expiration of the
member’s term until a successor takes
office. Any interested person can
nominate one or more qualified persons.
Self-nominations are also accepted.
B. Meeting
This meeting is open to the public.
The Committee will hear oral
presentations from the public for
approximately 45 minutes. The
Committee can limit the number and
duration of oral presentations to the
time available. If you wish to make
formal presentations, you must notify
the Executive Secretary named in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section and submit the following by the
Deadline for Written Comments and
Presentations date listed in the Meeting
section of this notice: A brief statement
of the general nature of the evidence or
arguments you wish to present, the
PO 00000
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names and addresses of proposed
participants, and a written copy of your
presentation. Your presentation should
consider the questions we have posed to
the Committee and focus on the issues
specific to the topic. The questions will
be available on our Web site at https://
www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/
02_MCAC.asp#TopOfPagemeetings. We
require that you declare at the meeting
whether or not you have any financial
involvement with manufacturers of any
items or services being discussed (or
with their competitors).
After the public and CMS
presentations, the Committee will
deliberate openly on the topic.
Interested persons can observe the
deliberations, but the Committee will
not hear further comments during this
time, except at the request of the
chairperson. The Committee will also
allow a 15 minute unscheduled open
public session for any attendee to
address issues specific to the topic. At
the conclusion of the day, the members
will vote and the Committee will make
its recommendation.
1. Registration Instructions
The Coverage and Analysis Group is
coordinating meeting registration. While
there is no registration fee, individuals
must register to attend: Register by
contacting Maria Ellis, Coverage and
Analysis Group, OCSQ; Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services; 7500
Security Blvd, Central Building C1–09–
06, Baltimore, MD 21244; (410) 786–
0309; Maria.Ellis@cms.hhs.gov. Please
provide your name, address,
organization, telephone and fax number,
and email address.
You will receive a registration
confirmation with instructions for your
arrival at the CMS complex. You will be
notified if the seating capacity has been
reached.
This meeting is located on Federal
property; therefore, for security reasons,
any individuals wishing to attend this
meeting must register by close of
business on May 11, 2006.
2. Security, Building, and Parking
Guidelines
This meeting will be held in a Federal
government building; therefore, Federal
security measures are applicable. In
planning your arrival time, we
recommend allowing additional time to
clear security.
In order to gain access to the building
and grounds, individuals must present
photographic identification to the
Federal Protective Service or Guard
Service personnel before being allowed
entrance.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 57 / Friday, March 24, 2006 / Notices
Security measures also include
inspection of vehicles, inside and out, at
the entrance to the grounds. In addition,
all individuals entering the building
must pass through a metal detector. All
items brought to CMS, whether personal
or for the purpose of demonstration or
to support a demonstration, are subject
to inspection. We cannot assume
responsibility for coordinating the
receipt, transfer, transport, storage, setup, safety, or timely arrival of any
personal belongings or items used for
demonstration or to support a
demonstration.
Parking permits and instructions will
be issued upon arrival.
Note: Individuals who are not registered in
advance will not be permitted to enter the
building and will be unable to attend the
meeting. The public may not enter the
building earlier than 30 to 45 minutes before
the convening of the meeting.
All visitors must be escorted in areas
other than the lower and first floor
levels in the Central Building.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1)
and (a)(2); 42 U.S.C. 217(a), section 222 of the
Public Health Service Act, as amended.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program No. 93.774, Medicare—
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: February 23, 2006.
Barry M. Straube,
Director, Office of Clinical Standards and
Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services.
[FR Doc. 06–2568 Filed 3–23–06; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
[CMS–9034–N]
Medicare and Medicaid Programs;
Quarterly Listing of Program
Issuances—October Through
December 2005
Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice lists CMS manual
instructions, substantive and
interpretive regulations, and other
Federal Register notices that were
published from October 2005 through
December 2005, relating to the Medicare
and Medicaid programs. This notice
provides information on national
coverage determinations (NCDs)
affecting specific medical and health
care services under Medicare.
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Additionally, this notice identifies
certain devices with investigational
device exemption (IDE) numbers
approved by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) that potentially
may be covered under Medicare. This
notice also includes listings of all
approval numbers from the Office of
Management and Budget for collections
of information in CMS regulations.
Finally, this notice includes a list of
Medicare-approved carotid stent
facilities.
Section 1871(c) of the Social Security
Act requires that we publish a list of
Medicare issuances in the Federal
Register at least every 3 months.
Although we are not mandated to do so
by statute, for the sake of completeness
of the listing, and to foster more open
and transparent collaboration efforts, we
are also including all Medicaid
issuances and Medicare and Medicaid
substantive and interpretive regulations
(proposed and final) published during
this 3-month time frame.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: It is
possible that an interested party may
have a specific information need and
not be able to determine from the listed
information whether the issuance or
regulation would fulfill that need.
Consequently, we are providing
information contact persons to answer
general questions concerning these
items. Copies are not available through
the contact persons. (See Section III of
this notice for how to obtain listed
material.)
Questions concerning items in
Addendum III may be addressed to
Timothy Jennings, Office of Strategic
Operations and Regulatory Affairs,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, C4–26–05, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850,
or you can call (410) 786–2134.
Questions concerning Medicare NCDs
in Addendum V may be addressed to
Patricia Brocato-Simons, Office of
Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services, C1–
09–06, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21244–1850, or you can
call (410) 786–0261.
Questions concerning FDA-approved
Category B IDE numbers listed in
Addendum VI may be addressed to John
Manlove, Office of Clinical Standards
and Quality, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, C1–13–04, 7500
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD
21244–1850, or you can call (410) 786–
6877.
Questions concerning approval
numbers for collections of information
in Addendum VII may be addressed to
Melissa Musotto, Office of Strategic
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14903
Operations and Regulatory Affairs,
Regulations Development and Issuances
Group, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, C5–14–03, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850,
or you can call (410) 786–6962.
Questions concerning Medicareapproved carotid stent facilities may be
addressed to Sarah J. McClain, Office of
Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services, C1–
09–06, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21244–1850, or you can
call (410) 786–2994.
Questions concerning all other
information may be addressed to
Gwendolyn Johnson, Office of Strategic
Operations and Regulatory Affairs,
Regulations Development Group,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, C5–14–03, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850,
or you can call (410) 786–6954.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Program Issuances
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) is responsible for
administering the Medicare and
Medicaid programs. These programs pay
for health care and related services for
39 million Medicare beneficiaries and
35 million Medicaid recipients.
Administration of the two programs
involves (1) furnishing information to
Medicare beneficiaries and Medicaid
recipients, health care providers, and
the public and (2) maintaining effective
communications with regional offices,
State governments, State Medicaid
agencies, State survey agencies, various
providers of health care, all Medicare
contractors that process claims and pay
bills, and others. To implement the
various statutes on which the programs
are based, we issue regulations under
the authority granted to the Secretary of
the Department of Health and Human
Services under sections 1102, 1871,
1902, and related provisions of the
Social Security Act (the Act). We also
issue various manuals, memoranda, and
statements necessary to administer the
programs efficiently.
Section 1871(c)(1) of the Act requires
that we publish a list of all Medicare
manual instructions, interpretive rules,
statements of policy, and guidelines of
general applicability not issued as
regulations at least every 3 months in
the Federal Register. We published our
first notice June 9, 1988 (53 FR 21730).
Although we are not mandated to do so
by statute, for the sake of completeness
of the listing of operational and policy
statements, and to foster more open and
transparent collaboration, we are
continuing our practice of including
Medicare substantive and interpretive
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14901-14903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2568]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-3163-N]
Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for Members of the
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee and Notice of Meeting of the
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee--May 18, 2006
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations for consideration for
membership on the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC). The
Committee provides advice and recommendations about whether scientific
evidence is adequate to determine whether certain medical items and
services are reasonable and necessary under the Medicare statute.
This notice also announces a public meeting of the MCAC. The
meeting will address the use of non-invasive imaging technologies
versus cardiac catheterization in the diagnosis of coronary artery
disease. Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)).
Nominations: Deadline and Address: Nominations will be considered
if postmarked by April 23, 2006 and mailed to the Executive Secretary
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Secretary's Charter: Obtain a copy of the Secretary's Charter for
the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee from Maria Ellis, Office of
Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop: 1-09-06, Baltimore, MD
21244; (410) 786-0309; Maria.Ellis@cms.hhs.gov. This charter is also
posted on the following Web site: https://www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/
downloads/mcaccharter.pdf.
Meeting: Date and Location: The public meeting will be held in the
main auditorium of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244, on Thursday, May 18, 2006,
from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., e.d.t.
Presentation and Comments: Interested persons can present data,
information, or views orally or in writing on issues pending before the
Committee. Please submit written comments to the Executive Secretary by
mail or email (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Deadline for Written Comments and Presentations: Written comments
and presentations for the public meeting must be received by April 24,
2006, 5 p.m., e.d.t. The presentation that will be submitted must be
your final presentation; no further changes will be accepted.
Deadline for Registration to Attend Meeting: For security reasons,
individuals wishing to attend this meeting must register by close of
business on May 11, 2006.
Special Accommodations: Persons attending the meeting who are
hearing or visually impaired, or who have a condition that requires
special assistance or accommodations, are asked to notify the Executive
Secretary by May 11, 2006 (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Web site: You may access up-to-date information on this meeting at
https://www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/02_MCAC.asp#TopOfPage.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Atkinson, Executive
Secretary, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Central Building
01-09-06, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244; (410) 786-2881;
Michelle.Atkinson@cms.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
A. Nominations
On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register
(63 FR 68780) announcing the establishment of the Medicare Coverage
Advisory Committee (MCAC). The Secretary signed the initial charter for
the MCAC on November 24, 1998. The charter was renewed and will
terminate on November 24, 2006, unless renewed again by the Secretary.
The MCAC is governed by provisions of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), which
sets forth standards for the formulation and use of advisory
committees, and is authorized by section 222 of the Public Health
Service Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 217A).
The MCAC consists of a pool of 100 appointed members. Members are
selected from among authorities in clinical medicine of all
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, biologic and
physical sciences, health care data and information management and
analysis, patient advocacy, the economics of health care, medical
ethics, and other related professions such as epidemiology and
biostatistics, and methodology of trial design. A maximum of 88 members
are standard
[[Page 14902]]
voting members, and 12 are nonvoting members (6 of which are
representatives of consumer interests, and 6 of which are
representatives of industry interests).
The MCAC functions on a committee basis. The committee reviews and
evaluates medical literature, reviews technology assessments, and
examines data and information on the effectiveness and appropriateness
of medical items and services that are covered or eligible for coverage
under Medicare. The Committee works from an agenda provided by the
Designated Federal Official that lists specific issues, and develops
technical advice to assist us in determining reasonable and necessary
applications of medical services and technology when we make national
coverage decisions for Medicare.
B. Meeting
On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register
(63 FR 68780) to describe the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee
(MCAC), which provides advice and recommendations to us about clinical
issues. This notice announces a public meeting of the Committee.
The Committee will discuss evidence and hear presentations and
public comments regarding the use of non-invasive imaging technologies
versus cardiac catheterization in the diagnosis of coronary artery
disease.
Background information about this topic, including panel materials,
is available on the Internet at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/coverage/.
II. Provisions
A. Nominations
As of December 2006, there will be 50 terms of membership expiring,
3 of which are non-voting consumer representatives, and 4 of which are
non-voting industry representatives. Accordingly, we are requesting
nominations for both voting and non-voting members to serve on the
MCAC. Nominees are selected based upon their individual qualifications,
and not as representatives of professional associations or societies.
We have a special interest in ensuring that women, minority groups,
and physically challenged individuals are adequately represented on the
MCAC. Therefore, we encourage nominations of qualified candidates from
these groups.
All nominations must be accompanied by curricula vitae. Nomination
packages must be sent to the Executive Secretary (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT).
Nominees for voting membership must have expertise and experience
in one or more of the following fields: Clinical medicine of all
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, patient advocacy,
biologic and physical sciences, health care data and information
management and analysis, the economics of health care, medical ethics,
and other related professions such as epidemiology and biostatistics,
and methodology of trial design.
We are also seeking nominations for seven non-voting
representatives, three of which are consumer representatives and four
of which are industry representatives. Nominees for this position must
possess appropriate qualifications to understand and contribute to the
MCAC's work.
The nomination letter must include a statement that the nominee is
willing to serve as a member of the MCAC and appears to have no
conflict of interest that would preclude membership. We are requesting
that all curricula vitae include the following: Date of birth, place of
birth, social security number, title and current position, professional
affiliation, home and business address, telephone and fax numbers, e-
mail address, and list of areas of expertise. In the nominations
letter, we are requesting that the nominee specify whether applying for
a voting position, a consumer representative position, or an industry
representative position. Potential candidates will be asked to provide
detailed information concerning matters such as financial holdings,
consultancies, and research grants or contracts in order to permit
evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest.
Members are invited to serve for overlapping 2-year terms. A member
can serve after the expiration of the member's term until a successor
takes office. Any interested person can nominate one or more qualified
persons. Self-nominations are also accepted.
B. Meeting
This meeting is open to the public. The Committee will hear oral
presentations from the public for approximately 45 minutes. The
Committee can limit the number and duration of oral presentations to
the time available. If you wish to make formal presentations, you must
notify the Executive Secretary named in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section and submit the following by the Deadline for Written
Comments and Presentations date listed in the Meeting section of this
notice: A brief statement of the general nature of the evidence or
arguments you wish to present, the names and addresses of proposed
participants, and a written copy of your presentation. Your
presentation should consider the questions we have posed to the
Committee and focus on the issues specific to the topic. The questions
will be available on our Web site at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/02_
MCAC.asp#TopOfPagemeetings. We require that you declare at the meeting
whether or not you have any financial involvement with manufacturers of
any items or services being discussed (or with their competitors).
After the public and CMS presentations, the Committee will
deliberate openly on the topic. Interested persons can observe the
deliberations, but the Committee will not hear further comments during
this time, except at the request of the chairperson. The Committee will
also allow a 15 minute unscheduled open public session for any attendee
to address issues specific to the topic. At the conclusion of the day,
the members will vote and the Committee will make its recommendation.
1. Registration Instructions
The Coverage and Analysis Group is coordinating meeting
registration. While there is no registration fee, individuals must
register to attend: Register by contacting Maria Ellis, Coverage and
Analysis Group, OCSQ; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; 7500
Security Blvd, Central Building C1-09-06, Baltimore, MD 21244; (410)
786-0309; Maria.Ellis@cms.hhs.gov. Please provide your name, address,
organization, telephone and fax number, and email address.
You will receive a registration confirmation with instructions for
your arrival at the CMS complex. You will be notified if the seating
capacity has been reached.
This meeting is located on Federal property; therefore, for
security reasons, any individuals wishing to attend this meeting must
register by close of business on May 11, 2006.
2. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines
This meeting will be held in a Federal government building;
therefore, Federal security measures are applicable. In planning your
arrival time, we recommend allowing additional time to clear security.
In order to gain access to the building and grounds, individuals
must present photographic identification to the Federal Protective
Service or Guard Service personnel before being allowed entrance.
[[Page 14903]]
Security measures also include inspection of vehicles, inside and
out, at the entrance to the grounds. In addition, all individuals
entering the building must pass through a metal detector. All items
brought to CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or
to support a demonstration, are subject to inspection. We cannot assume
responsibility for coordinating the receipt, transfer, transport,
storage, set-up, safety, or timely arrival of any personal belongings
or items used for demonstration or to support a demonstration.
Parking permits and instructions will be issued upon arrival.
Note: Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be
permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the
meeting. The public may not enter the building earlier than 30 to 45
minutes before the convening of the meeting.
All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and
first floor levels in the Central Building.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2); 42
U.S.C. 217(a), section 222 of the Public Health Service Act, as
amended.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774,
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: February 23, 2006.
Barry M. Straube,
Director, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 06-2568 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-U
