Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 57048-57050 [2011-23539]
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57048
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 179 / Thursday, September 15, 2011 / Notices
EXHIBIT 3—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST
Cost component
Total cost
Annualized
cost
Review of literature ..................................................................................................................................................
Cognitive interviews .................................................................................................................................................
Field test ..................................................................................................................................................................
Data analyses ..........................................................................................................................................................
Finalize survey .........................................................................................................................................................
AHRQ project management ....................................................................................................................................
$20,000
60,000
90,000
40,000
39,000
50,000
$20,000
60,000
90,000
40,000
39,000
50,000
Total ..................................................................................................................................................................
299,000
299,000
Request for Comments
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s
information collection are requested
with regard to any of the following: (a)
Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of AHRQ healthcare
research and healthcare information
dissemination functions, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of
AHRQ’s estimate of burden (including
hours and costs) of the proposed
collection(s) 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 upon the
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 Agency’s subsequent
request for OMB approval of the
proposed information collection. All
comments will become a matter of
public record.
Dated: Aug 31 2011.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 2011–23543 Filed 9–14–11; 8:45 am]
Budget (OMB) approve the proposed
information collection project: ‘‘Medical
Expenditure Panel Survey—Insurance
Component 2012–2013.’’ In accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44
U.S.C. 3501–3521, AHRQ invites the
public to comment on this proposed
information collection.
This proposed information collection
was previously published in the Federal
Register on June 30th, 2011 and allowed
60 days for public comment. No
comments were received. 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 17, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be submitted to: AHRQ’s OMB Desk
Officer by fax at (202) 395–6974
(attention: AHRQ’s desk officer) or by email 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, or by
e-mail at
doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
BILLING CODE 4160–90–M
Proposed Project
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey—
Insurance Component 2012–2013
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality
wreier-aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice announces the
intention of the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request
that the Office of Management and
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:07 Sep 14, 2011
Jkt 223001
Employer-sponsored health insurance
is the source of coverage for 85 million
current and former workers, plus many
of their family members, and is a
cornerstone of the U.S. health care
system. The Medical Expenditure Panel
Survey—Insurance Component (MEPS–
IC) measures the extent, cost, and
coverage of employer-sponsored health
insurance on an annual basis. These
statistics are produced at the National,
State, and sub-State (metropolitan area)
level for private industry. Statistics are
also produced for State and Local
governments.
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
This research has the following goals:
(1) To provide data for Federal
policymakers evaluating the effects of
National and State health care reforms;
(2) to provide descriptive data on the
current employer-sponsored health
insurance system and data for modeling
the differential impacts of proposed
health policy initiatives; and
(3) to supply critical State and
National estimates of health insurance
spending for the National Health
Accounts and Gross Domestic Product.
This study is being conducted by
AHRQ through an interagency
agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau
and pursuant to AHRQ’s statutory
authority to conduct surveys to collect
data on the cost, use and quality of
health care, including the types and
costs of private health insurance. 42
U.S.C. 299b–2(a).
Method of Collection
To achieve the goals of this project the
following data collections for both
private sector and state and local
government employers will be
implemented:
(1) Prescreener Questionnaire—The
purpose of the Prescreener
Questionnaire, which is collected via
telephone, varies depending on the
insurance status of the establishment
contacted. (Establishment is defined as
a single, physical location in the private
sector and a governmental unit in state
and local governments.) For
establishments that do not offer health
insurance to their employees, the
prescreener is used to collect basic
information such as number of
employees. Collection is completed for
these establishments through this
telephone call. For establishments that
do offer health insurance, contact name
and address information is collected
that is used for the mailout of the
establishment and plan questionnaires.
Obtaining this contact information helps
ensure that the questionnaires are
directed to the person in the
establishment best equipped to
complete them.
E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM
15SEN1
57049
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 179 / Thursday, September 15, 2011 / Notices
(2) Establishment Questionnaire—The
purpose of the mailed Establishment
Questionnaire is to obtain general
information from employers that
provide health insurance to their
employees. Information such as total
active enrollment in health insurance,
other employee benefits, waiting
periods, and retiree health insurance is
collected through the establishment
questionnaire.
(3) Plan Questionnaire—The purpose
of the mailed Plan Questionnaire is to
collect plan-specific information on
each plan (up to four plans) offered by
establishments that provide health
insurance to their employees. This
questionnaire obtains information on
total premiums, employer and employee
contributions to the premium, and plan
enrollment for each type of coverage
offered—single, employee-plus-one, and
family—within a plan. It also asks for
information on deductibles, copays, and
other plan characteristics. This
information is needed in order to
provide the tools for Federal, State, and
academic researchers to evaluate current
and proposed health policies and to
support the production of important
statistical measures for other Federal
agencies.
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
Exhibit 1 shows the estimated
annualized burden hours for the
respondent’s time to provide the
requested data. The Prescreener
questionnaire will be completed by
31,552 respondents and takes about 5 1⁄2
minutes to complete. The Establishment
questionnaire will be completed by
25,839 respondents and takes about 23
minutes to complete. The Plan
questionnaire will be completed by
23,230 respondents and will require an
average of 2.1 responses per respondent.
Each Plan questionnaire takes about 11
minutes to complete. The total
annualized burden hours are estimated
to be 21,440 hours.
Exhibit 2 shows the estimated
annualized cost burden associated with
the respondents’ time to participate in
this data collection. The annualized cost
burden is estimated to be $614,256.
EXHIBIT 1—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS
Number of
respondents
Form name
Number of
responses per
respondent
Hours per
response
Total burden
hours
Prescreener Questionnaire ..............................................................................
Establishment Questionnaire ...........................................................................
Plan Questionnaire ..........................................................................................
31,552
25,839
23,230
1
1
2.1
0.09
0.38
0.18
2,840
9,819
8,781
Total ..........................................................................................................
80,621
na
na
21,440
EXHIBIT 2—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST BURDEN
Number of
respondents
Form name
Total burden
hours
Average hourly wage rate*
Total cost
burden
Prescreener Questionnaire ..............................................................................
Establishment Questionnaire ...........................................................................
Plan Questionnaire ..........................................................................................
31,552
25,839
23,230
2,840
9,819
8,781
28.65
28.65
28.65
$81,366
281,314
251,576
Total ..........................................................................................................
80,621
21,440
na
614,256
*Based upon the mean hourly wage for Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists occupation code—1141, at https://www.bls.gov/
oes/current/oes_nat.htm#13–0000 (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.)
Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal
Government
The total cost over the 2 years of this
clearance is $22,954,000.
Exhibit 3 shows the estimated
annualized cost of this data collection.
EXHIBIT 3—ESTIMATED TOTAL AND ANNUALIZED COST
[$ thousands]
Cost component
Total cost
Annualized
cost
wreier-aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
Project Development ...............................................................................................................................................
Data Collection Activities .........................................................................................................................................
Data Processing and Analysis .................................................................................................................................
Project Management ................................................................................................................................................
Overhead .................................................................................................................................................................
$3,338
7,789
7,789
2,925
1,113
$1,669
3,895
3,895
1,463
557
Total ..................................................................................................................................................................
22,954
11,477
Note: Components may not sum to Total due to rounding.
Request for Comments
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:07 Sep 14, 2011
Jkt 223001
information collection are requested
with regard to any of the following: (a)
Whether the proposed collection of
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
information is necessary for the proper
performance of AHRQ healthcare
research and healthcare information
E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM
15SEN1
57050
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 179 / Thursday, September 15, 2011 / Notices
dissemination functions, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of
AHRQ’s estimate of burden (including
hours and costs) of the proposed
collection(s) 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 upon the
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 Agency’s subsequent
request for OMB approval of the
proposed information collection. All
comments will become a matter of
public record.
Dated: Aug 31 2011.
Carolyn M. Cancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 2011–23539 Filed 9–14–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160–90–M
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. FDA–2011–N–0400]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS–2011–0014]
Approaches to Reducing Sodium
Consumption; Establishment of
Dockets; Request for Comments, Data,
and Information
Food and Drug Administration,
HHS; Food Safety and Inspection
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; establishment of
dockets; request for comments, data,
and information.
AGENCY:
The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and the Food
Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are
announcing the establishment of
dockets to obtain comments, data, and
evidence relevant to the dietary intake
of sodium as well as current and
emerging approaches designed to
promote sodium reduction. FDA and
FSIS are particularly interested in
research that will help both
organizations understand current and
emerging practices by industry in
sodium reduction in foods; current
consumer understanding of the role of
sodium in hypertension and other
chronic illnesses, sodium consumption
practices; motivation and barriers in
wreier-aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
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Jkt 223001
reducing sodium in their food intakes;
and issues associated with the
development of targets for sodium
reduction in foods to promote reduction
of excess sodium intake. Excess sodium
intake is linked to increased risk of
heart disease and stroke. FDA and FSIS
recognize ongoing efforts by a number of
members of the restaurant and packaged
food industries to reduce sodium and
appreciate the complexities of reducing
sodium in foods. Continued input and
support from industry and other
stakeholders are important to support
further progress on this significant
public health issue.
DATES: Submit either electronic or
written comments and data and
information by November 29, 2011.
ADDRESSES: FDA: Submit electronic
comments and data and information to
https://www.regulations.gov. Submit
written comments and data and
information to the Division of Dockets
Management (HFA–305), Food and Drug
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm.
1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All
submissions must include the Agency
name and docket number FDA–2011–
N–0400.
FSIS: Submit electronic comments
and data and information to https://
www.regulations.gov. Submit written
comments and data and information to
the Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection
Service, FSIS Docket Room, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Patriots
Plaza 3, Mailstop 3782, Room 163A,
Washington, DC 20250–3700. All
submissions must include the Agency
name and docket number FSIS–2011–
0014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
FDA: Richard E. Bonnette, Center for
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
(HFS–255), Food and Drug
Administration, 5100 Paint Branch
Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740–3835,
240–402–1235.
FSIS: Rosalyn Murphy-Jenkins,
Director, Labeling and Program Delivery
Division, Office of Policy and Program
Development, Food Safety and
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, USDA, FSIS, OPPD, LPDD
Stop Code 3784, Patriots Plaza III, 8–
161A, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–3700.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Research shows that excess sodium
consumption is a contributory factor in
the development of hypertension, which
is a leading cause of heart disease and
stroke (Ref. 1), the first and fourth
leading causes of death in the United
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Frm 00034
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
States, respectively (Ref. 2). Research
also shows that the increase in blood
pressure seen with aging, common to
most Western countries, is not observed
in populations that consume low
sodium diets (Refs. 3 and 4) and that the
U.S. population consumes far more
sodium than recommended (Ref. 5 and
7). Moreover, dietary reduction of
sodium can lower blood pressure as has
been demonstrated in the Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension
(DASH)-Sodium trial (Ref. 6). Because
over three-quarters of sodium in the diet
of the U.S. population is added during
manufacturing of foods and preparation
of restaurant foods, reduction in sodium
consumption in the United States
involves reduction in the sodium
content of food in the U.S. marketplace
(Refs. 5 and 7).
In this document, we refer primarily
to ‘‘sodium,’’ a component of sodium
chloride, commonly known as ‘‘salt.’’
Most but not all sodium is added to food
in the form of salt and we are interested
in all sources of sodium added to foods.
The comments, data, and evidence
regarding sodium reduction obtained by
the establishment of these dockets will
provide important information about
current and emerging practices and
approaches designed to reduce excess
sodium intake, primarily coming from
salt.
A. Sodium: Current and Recommended
Intake
According to national food survey
data from the ‘‘What We Eat in America,
National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–
2008,’’ estimated average sodium intake
from foods among persons in the United
States aged 2 years or older is
approximately 3,300 milligrams per day
(mg/d) (excluding salt added at the
table) (Ref. 8). Most of this sodium
comes from salt used in the manufacture
or preparation of foods (Ref. 9). In 2005,
the IOM set a Tolerable Upper Intake
Level (UL) for sodium at 2,300 mg/d and
an Adequate Intake (AI) at 1,500 mg/d
for those 9 to 50 years of age, including
pregnant and lactating women (AIs are
lower for those 0–8 years of age and for
those over 50 years of age) (Ref. 1). The
2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
recommendations are to ‘‘reduce daily
sodium intake to less than 2,300
milligrams (mg) and further reduce
intake to 1,500 mg among persons who
are 51 and older and those of any age
who are African American or have
hypertension, diabetes, or chronic
kidney disease.’’ The 1,500 mg
recommendation applies to about half of
the U.S. population (Ref. 7). Current
sodium intake is substantially higher
E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM
15SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 179 (Thursday, September 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57048-57050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23539]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 that the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed information collection
project: ``Medical Expenditure Panel Survey--Insurance Component 2012-
2013.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-
3521, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information
collection.
This proposed information collection was previously published in
the Federal Register on June 30th, 2011 and allowed 60 days for public
comment. No comments were received. 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 17, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: AHRQ's OMB Desk
Officer 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, or by e-mail at
doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Project
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey--Insurance Component 2012-2013
Employer-sponsored health insurance is the source of coverage for
85 million current and former workers, plus many of their family
members, and is a cornerstone of the U.S. health care system. The
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey--Insurance Component (MEPS-IC)
measures the extent, cost, and coverage of employer-sponsored health
insurance on an annual basis. These statistics are produced at the
National, State, and sub-State (metropolitan area) level for private
industry. Statistics are also produced for State and Local governments.
This research has the following goals:
(1) To provide data for Federal policymakers evaluating the effects
of National and State health care reforms;
(2) to provide descriptive data on the current employer-sponsored
health insurance system and data for modeling the differential impacts
of proposed health policy initiatives; and
(3) to supply critical State and National estimates of health
insurance spending for the National Health Accounts and Gross Domestic
Product.
This study is being conducted by AHRQ through an interagency
agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau and pursuant to AHRQ's statutory
authority to conduct surveys to collect data on the cost, use and
quality of health care, including the types and costs of private health
insurance. 42 U.S.C. 299b-2(a).
Method of Collection
To achieve the goals of this project the following data collections
for both private sector and state and local government employers will
be implemented:
(1) Prescreener Questionnaire--The purpose of the Prescreener
Questionnaire, which is collected via telephone, varies depending on
the insurance status of the establishment contacted. (Establishment is
defined as a single, physical location in the private sector and a
governmental unit in state and local governments.) For establishments
that do not offer health insurance to their employees, the prescreener
is used to collect basic information such as number of employees.
Collection is completed for these establishments through this telephone
call. For establishments that do offer health insurance, contact name
and address information is collected that is used for the mailout of
the establishment and plan questionnaires. Obtaining this contact
information helps ensure that the questionnaires are directed to the
person in the establishment best equipped to complete them.
[[Page 57049]]
(2) Establishment Questionnaire--The purpose of the mailed
Establishment Questionnaire is to obtain general information from
employers that provide health insurance to their employees. Information
such as total active enrollment in health insurance, other employee
benefits, waiting periods, and retiree health insurance is collected
through the establishment questionnaire.
(3) Plan Questionnaire--The purpose of the mailed Plan
Questionnaire is to collect plan-specific information on each plan (up
to four plans) offered by establishments that provide health insurance
to their employees. This questionnaire obtains information on total
premiums, employer and employee contributions to the premium, and plan
enrollment for each type of coverage offered--single, employee-plus-
one, and family--within a plan. It also asks for information on
deductibles, copays, and other plan characteristics. This information
is needed in order to provide the tools for Federal, State, and
academic researchers to evaluate current and proposed health policies
and to support the production of important statistical measures for
other Federal agencies.
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
Exhibit 1 shows the estimated annualized burden hours for the
respondent's time to provide the requested data. The Prescreener
questionnaire will be completed by 31,552 respondents and takes about 5
\1/2\ minutes to complete. The Establishment questionnaire will be
completed by 25,839 respondents and takes about 23 minutes to complete.
The Plan questionnaire will be completed by 23,230 respondents and will
require an average of 2.1 responses per respondent. Each Plan
questionnaire takes about 11 minutes to complete. The total annualized
burden hours are estimated to be 21,440 hours.
Exhibit 2 shows the estimated annualized cost burden associated
with the respondents' time to participate in this data collection. The
annualized cost burden is estimated to be $614,256.
Exhibit 1--Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Form name Number of responses per Hours per Total burden
respondents respondent response hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prescreener Questionnaire....................... 31,552 1 0.09 2,840
Establishment Questionnaire..................... 25,839 1 0.38 9,819
Plan Questionnaire.............................. 23,230 2.1 0.18 8,781
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................................... 80,621 na na 21,440
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exhibit 2--Estimated Annualized Cost Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Total burden Average hourly Total cost
Form name respondents hours wage rate* burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prescreener Questionnaire....................... 31,552 2,840 28.65 $81,366
Establishment Questionnaire..................... 25,839 9,819 28.65 281,314
Plan Questionnaire.............................. 23,230 8,781 28.65 251,576
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................................... 80,621 21,440 na 614,256
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Based upon the mean hourly wage for Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists occupation code--1141,
at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#13-0000 (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.)
Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal Government
Exhibit 3 shows the estimated annualized cost of this data
collection. The total cost over the 2 years of this clearance is
$22,954,000.
Exhibit 3--Estimated Total and Annualized Cost
[$ thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annualized
Cost component Total cost cost
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Development..................... $3,338 $1,669
Data Collection Activities.............. 7,789 3,895
Data Processing and Analysis............ 7,789 3,895
Project Management...................... 2,925 1,463
Overhead................................ 1,113 557
-------------------------------
Total............................... 22,954 11,477
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Components may not sum to Total due to rounding.
Request for Comments
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ's
information collection are requested with regard to any of the
following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of AHRQ healthcare research and
healthcare information
[[Page 57050]]
dissemination functions, including whether the information will have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ's estimate of burden
(including hours and costs) of the proposed collection(s) 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 upon the 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 Agency's subsequent request for OMB approval of the
proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of
public record.
Dated: Aug 31 2011.
Carolyn M. Cancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 2011-23539 Filed 9-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M
