Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 52131-52132 [07-4447]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 12, 2007 / Notices https://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/SuppDocs/ FedDocs/FR/FR_E7_9544.pdf). In June 2007, SACATM endorsed these activities as high priorities for ICCVAM. In response to SACATM comments, along with those provided by the public in response to the previous Federal Register notice, ICCVAM endorsed these activities, including the development of performance standards, as high priorities. ICCVAM subsequently prepared draft performance standards for the LLNA, which are available on the NICEATM/ ICCVAM Web site at: (https:// iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/methods/ immunotox/immunotox.htm). These draft test method performance standards are proposed to evaluate the performance of LLNA test methods that incorporate specific modifications to the measurement of lymphocyte proliferation in the traditional LLNA. These modifications focus specifically on incorporating non-radioactive procedures to evaluate lymphocyte proliferation in the draining auricular lymph nodes rather than incorporation of radioactivity (i.e., 3H-thymidine), which is used in the traditional LLNA. Public comments received in response to the draft LLNA performance standards will be considered by ICCVAM during development of a revised draft version of this document. A public meeting is planned for early 2008 where an international, independent, peer review panel will evaluate the revised draft LLNA performance standards and review the other nominated LLNA related activities. Following this meeting, the recommendations of the peer review panel will be made available for public and SACATM comment. ICCVAM will consider the panel report and public and SACATM comments in preparing final LLNA performance standards. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Request for Public Comments NICEATM invites the submission of written comments on the draft LLNA performance standards. When submitting written comments, please refer to this Federal Register notice and include appropriate contact information (name, affiliation, mailing address, phone, fax, e-mail, and sponsoring organization, if applicable). All comments received by the deadline listed above will be placed on the NICEATM/ICCVAM Web site (https:// ntp-apps.niehs.nih.gov/iccvampb/ searchPubCom.cfm) and made available to the peer review panel and ICCVAM. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:43 Sep 11, 2007 Jkt 211001 52131 Background Information on ICCVAM and NICEATM ICCVAM is an interagency committee composed of representatives from 15 federal regulatory and research agencies that use or generate toxicological information. ICCVAM conducts technical evaluations of new, revised, and alternative methods with regulatory applicability and promotes the scientific validation and regulatory acceptance of toxicological test methods that more accurately assess the safety and hazards of chemicals and products and that refine, reduce, or replace animal use. The ICCVAM Authorization Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 285l–3, available at https:// iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/about/ PL106545.htm) establishes ICCVAM as a permanent interagency committee of the NIEHS under NICEATM. NICEATM administers ICCVAM and provides scientific and operational support for ICCVAM-related activities. NICEATM and ICCVAM work collaboratively to evaluate new and improved test methods applicable to the needs of federal agencies. Additional information about ICCVAM and NICEATM is available on the following Web site: https://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov. Register on June 28, 2007 and allowed 60 days for public comment. Public comments were received and have been addressed in the supporting statement, available upon request. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment. Dated: September 5, 2007. Samuel H. Wilson, Acting Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program. [FR Doc. E7–18011 Filed 9–11–07; 8:45 am] The MEPS–IC, an annual survey of the characteristics of employersponsored health insurance, was first conducted by AHRQ in 1997 for the calendar year 1996. The survey has since been conducted annually for calendar years 1997 through 2006. AHRQ proposes to continue this annual survey of establishments for calendar years 2008 and 2009. The survey data for calendar year 2008 will be collected in that year. Likewise, calendar year 2009 data will be collected in 2009. This is a change from earlier MEPS–IC collections, when survey data for a calendar year were collected in the following year (i.e., 2005 survey data were collected in 2006). This changeover means that there will be no data collected for the year 2007. However, the data for 2008 and 2009 will now be released a year earlier than would have occurred under the former collection scheme. This survey will be conducted for AHRQ by the Bureau of Census using a sample comprised of an annual sample of employers selected from Census Bureau lists of private sector employers and governments. Data to be collected from each employer will include a description of the business (e.g., size, industry) and descriptions of health insurance plans available, plan enrollments, total plan costs and costs to employees. BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to allow the proposed information collection project: ‘‘2008– 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey—Insurance Component (MEPS– IC).’’ In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104– 13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Comments on this notice must be received by October 12, 2007. DATES: Written comments should be submitted to: Karen Matsuoka by fax at (202) 395–6974 (attention: AHRQ’s desk officer) or by e-mail at OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov (attention: AHRQ’s desk officer). Copies of the proposed collection plans, data collection instruments, and specific details on the estimated burden can be obtained from the AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Project 2008 and 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey—Insurance Component (MEPS–IC) E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM 12SEN1 52132 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 12, 2007 / Notices Data Confidentiality Provisions All MEPS–IC data collected, both identifiable and non-identifiable, will be stored at the Census Bureau. Their confidentiality is protected under the U.S. Census Bureau confidentiality statute, Section 9 of Title 13, United States Code. In addition, because the Census sample lists are developed using Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Information, the data also fall under the review of the IRS which conducts regular audits of the data collection storage and use (Title 26, United States Code). The confidentiality provisions of the AHRQ statute at 42 USC 299c–3(c) apply to all data collected for research that is supported by AHRQ. All data products listed below must fully comply with the data confidentiality statute under which their raw data was collected as well as any additional confidentiality provisions that apply. Data Products Data will be produced in two forms: (1) Files containing employer information will be available for use by researchers at the Census Bureau’s Research Data Centers (all research output is reviewed by Census employees and no identifiable data may leave the Center) and (2) a large These data provide the basis for researchers to address important questions for employers and policymakers alike. compendium of tables of estimates, produced by Census and containing no identifiable data, will be made available on the AHRQ website. These tables will contain descriptive statistics, such as, numbers of establishments offering health insurance, average premiums, average contributions, total enrollments, numbers of self insured establishments and other related statistics for a large number of population subsets defined by firm size, state, industry and other establishment characteristics such as, age, profit/nonprofit status and union/ nonunion status of the workforce. The data are intended to be used for purposes such as: • Generating National and State estimates of employer health care offerings; • Producing estimates to support the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services in their production of health care expenditure estimates for the National Health Accounts and the Gross Domestic Product; • Producing National and State estimates of spending on employersponsored health insurance to study the results of National and State health care policies; and • Supplying data for modeling the demand for health insurance. Method of Collection The data will be collected using a combination of modes. The Census Bureau’s first contact with employers will be made by telephone. This contact will provide information on the availability of health insurance from that employer and essential persons to contact. Based upon this information, Census will mail a questionnaire to the employer. In order to assure high response rates, Census will follow-up with a second mailing after an interval of approximately 30 working days, followed by a telephone call to collect data from those who have not responded by mail. For larger respondents with high burdens, such as State employers and very large firms, Census may follow special procedures, as needed. These include performing personal visits and doing customized collection, such as accepting data in computerized formats and using special forms. The response rate for the most recent survey was approximately 79%. ESTIMATED ANNUAL RESPONDENT BURDEN Annual number of respondents Survey years 2008 ................................................................................................................. 2009 ................................................................................................................. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Request for Comments In accordance with the above cited legislation, comments on the AHRQ information collection proposal are requested with regard to any of the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:43 Sep 11, 2007 Jkt 211001 Carolyn M. Clancy, Director. [FR Doc. 07–4447 Filed 9–11–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160–90–M DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [30 Day–07–0527] Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a list of Frm 00088 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Estimated total annual burden hours Estimated annual cost to the Government .57 .57 19,032 19,032 $9,650,000 9,950,000 33,262 33,262 included in the request for OMB approval of the proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of public record. PO 00000 Estimated time per respondent in hours information collection requests under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of these requests, call the CDC Reports Clearance Officer at (404) 639–5960 or send an email to omb@cdc.gov. Send written comments to CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC or by fax to (202) 395–6974. Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice. Proposed Project Human Exposure to Cyanobacterial Toxins in Water (OMB No. 0920– 0527)—Reinstatement—National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM 12SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 12, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52131-52132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-4447]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request

AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) to allow the proposed information
collection project: ``2008-2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey--
Insurance Component (MEPS-IC).'' In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)),
AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information
collection.
This proposed information collection was previously published in
the Federal Register on June 28, 2007 and allowed 60 days for public
comment. Public comments were received and have been addressed in the
supporting statement, available upon request. The purpose of this
notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 12, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: Karen Matsuoka by
fax at (202) 395-6974 (attention: AHRQ's desk officer) or by e-mail at
OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov (attention: AHRQ's desk officer).
Copies of the proposed collection plans, data collection
instruments, and specific details on the estimated burden can be
obtained from the AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports
Clearance Officer, (301) 427-1477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Project

2008 and 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey--Insurance Component
(MEPS-IC)

The MEPS-IC, an annual survey of the characteristics of employer-
sponsored health insurance, was first conducted by AHRQ in 1997 for the
calendar year 1996. The survey has since been conducted annually for
calendar years 1997 through 2006. AHRQ proposes to continue this annual
survey of establishments for calendar years 2008 and 2009. The survey
data for calendar year 2008 will be collected in that year. Likewise,
calendar year 2009 data will be collected in 2009. This is a change
from earlier MEPS-IC collections, when survey data for a calendar year
were collected in the following year (i.e., 2005 survey data were
collected in 2006). This changeover means that there will be no data
collected for the year 2007. However, the data for 2008 and 2009 will
now be released a year earlier than would have occurred under the
former collection scheme.
This survey will be conducted for AHRQ by the Bureau of Census
using a sample comprised of an annual sample of employers selected from
Census Bureau lists of private sector employers and governments.
Data to be collected from each employer will include a description
of the business (e.g., size, industry) and descriptions of health
insurance plans available, plan enrollments, total plan costs and costs
to employees.

[[Page 52132]]

Data Confidentiality Provisions

All MEPS-IC data collected, both identifiable and non-identifiable,
will be stored at the Census Bureau. Their confidentiality is protected
under the U.S. Census Bureau confidentiality statute, Section 9 of
Title 13, United States Code. In addition, because the Census sample
lists are developed using Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax
Information, the data also fall under the review of the IRS which
conducts regular audits of the data collection storage and use (Title
26, United States Code).
The confidentiality provisions of the AHRQ statute at 42 USC 299c-
3(c) apply to all data collected for research that is supported by
AHRQ. All data products listed below must fully comply with the data
confidentiality statute under which their raw data was collected as
well as any additional confidentiality provisions that apply.

Data Products

Data will be produced in two forms: (1) Files containing employer
information will be available for use by researchers at the Census
Bureau's Research Data Centers (all research output is reviewed by
Census employees and no identifiable data may leave the Center) and (2)
a large compendium of tables of estimates, produced by Census and
containing no identifiable data, will be made available on the AHRQ
website. These tables will contain descriptive statistics, such as,
numbers of establishments offering health insurance, average premiums,
average contributions, total enrollments, numbers of self insured
establishments and other related statistics for a large number of
population subsets defined by firm size, state, industry and other
establishment characteristics such as, age, profit/nonprofit status and
union/nonunion status of the workforce.
The data are intended to be used for purposes such as:
Generating National and State estimates of employer health
care offerings;
Producing estimates to support the Bureau of Economic
Analysis and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services in their
production of health care expenditure estimates for the National Health
Accounts and the Gross Domestic Product;
Producing National and State estimates of spending on
employer-sponsored health insurance to study the results of National
and State health care policies; and
Supplying data for modeling the demand for health
insurance.
These data provide the basis for researchers to address important
questions for employers and policymakers alike.

Method of Collection

The data will be collected using a combination of modes. The Census
Bureau's first contact with employers will be made by telephone. This
contact will provide information on the availability of health
insurance from that employer and essential persons to contact. Based
upon this information, Census will mail a questionnaire to the
employer. In order to assure high response rates, Census will follow-up
with a second mailing after an interval of approximately 30 working
days, followed by a telephone call to collect data from those who have
not responded by mail.
For larger respondents with high burdens, such as State employers
and very large firms, Census may follow special procedures, as needed.
These include performing personal visits and doing customized
collection, such as accepting data in computerized formats and using
special forms. The response rate for the most recent survey was
approximately 79%.

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated time Estimated Estimated
Survey years Annual number per respondent total annual annual cost to
of respondents in hours burden hours the Government
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008............................................ 33,262 .57 19,032 $9,650,000
2009............................................ 33,262 .57 19,032 9,950,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Request for Comments

In accordance with the above cited legislation, comments on the
AHRQ information collection proposal are requested with regard to any
of the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and
costs) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and included in the request for OMB approval of the proposed
information collection. All comments will become a matter of public
record.

Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 07-4447 Filed 9-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M

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