Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request; Federal Tort Claims Act Program Deeming Applications for Health Centers, 0906-0035, Extension, 17169-17170 [2021-06690]

Download as PDF 17169 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 61 / Thursday, April 1, 2021 / Notices When submitting comments or requesting information, please include the information request collection title for reference. Information Collection Request Title: Federal Tort Claims Act Program Deeming Application for Health Centers, OMB No. 0906–0035— Extension. Abstract: Section 224(g)-(n) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n)), as amended, authorizes the ‘‘deeming’’ of entities receiving funds under section 330 of the PHS Act as PHS employees for the purposes of receiving Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) coverage. The Health Center Program is administered by HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care. Health centers submit deeming applications annually to HRSA in the prescribed form and manner in order to obtain deemed PHS employee status, with the associated FTCA coverage. Deemed PHS employment provides the covered individual with immunity from lawsuits and related civil actions resulting from the performance of medical, surgical, dental, and related functions within the scope of deemed employment. The FTCA Program has a web-based application system, the Electronic Handbooks (EHBs). These electronic application forms decrease the time and effort required to complete the older, paper-based OMB approved FTCA application forms. The application includes: Contact Information; Section 1: Review of Risk Management Systems; Section 2: Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance (QI/QA) Attestations; Section 3: Credentialing and Privileging; Section 4: Claims Management; and Section 5: Additional Information, Certification, and Signatures. HRSA is proposing no changes to the Application for Health Center Program Deemed Public Health Service Employment Status, to be used for SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request; Federal Tort Claims Act Program Deeming Applications for Health Centers, 0906–0035, Extension Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In compliance with of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, HRSA has submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Comments submitted during the first public review of this ICR will be provided to OMB. OMB will accept further comments from the public during the review and approval period. OMB may act on HRSA’s ICR only after the 30 day comment period for this notice has closed. DATES: Comments on this ICR should be received no later than May 3, 2021. ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request a copy of the clearance requests submitted to OMB for review, email Lisa Wright-Solomon, the HRSA Information Collection Clearance Officer at paperwork@hrsa.gov or call (301) 443– 1984. SUMMARY: Health Center deeming applications for Calendar Year 2021 and thereafter. A 60-day notice published in the Federal Register on February 5, 2021, Vol. 86, No. 23; pp. 8364–65. There were no public comments. Need and Proposed Use of the Information: Deeming applications must address certain specified criteria required by law in order for deeming determinations to be issued, and FTCA application forms are critical to HRSA’s deeming determination process. This form provides HRSA with information that is essential for evaluating health center adherence to FTCA program requirements and making a determination as to whether a health center meets the statutory requirements for deemed PHS employee status for the purposes of FTCA coverage. The application information is also used to determine whether a site visit is appropriate to assess issues relating to the health center’s quality of care and to determine technical assistance needs. Likely Respondents: Respondents include Health Center Program funds recipients seeking deemed PHS employee status for purposes of FTCA coverage. Burden Statement: Burden in this context means the time expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide the information requested. This includes the time needed to review instructions; to develop, acquire, install and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; to train personnel and to be able to respond to a collection of information; to search data sources; to complete and review the collection of information; and to transmit or otherwise disclose the information. The total annual burden hours estimated for this ICR are summarized in the table below. TOTAL ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN—HOURS Number of respondents jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Form name Number of responses per respondent Total responses Average burden per response (in hours) Total burden hours FTCA Health Center Program Initial Application ................. FTCA Health Center Program Redeeming Application ....... 35 1,125 1 1 35 1,125 2.5 2.5 87.5 2,812.5 Total .............................................................................. 1,160 ........................ 1,160 ........................ 2,900.0 HRSA specifically requests comments on (1) the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency’s VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:02 Mar 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 functions, (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden, (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and (4) the PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM 01APN1 17170 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 61 / Thursday, April 1, 2021 / Notices technology to minimize the information collection burden. Maria G. Button, Director, Executive Secretariat. [FR Doc. 2021–06690 Filed 3–31–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4165–15–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Meeting of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is hereby giving notice that the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) will hold a virtual meeting. The meeting will be open to the public and public comment will be heard during the meeting. DATES: The meeting will be held June 16–17, 2021. The confirmed meeting times and agenda will be posted on the NVAC website at https://www.hhs.gov/ nvpo/nvac/meetings/ as soon as they become available. ADDRESSES: Instructions regarding attending this meeting will be posted online at: https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/ nvac/meetings/ at least one week prior to the meeting. Preregistration is required for those who wish to attend the meeting or participate in public comment. Please register at https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/ meetings/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Aikin, Acting Designated Federal Officer, at the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mary E. Switzer Building, Room L618, 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20024. Email: nvac@ hhs.gov. Phone: 202–695–9742. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 2101 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300aa–1), the Secretary of HHS was mandated to establish the National Vaccine Program to achieve optimal prevention of human infectious diseases through immunization and to achieve optimal prevention against adverse reactions to vaccines. The NVAC was established to provide advice and make recommendations to the Director of the National Vaccine Program on matters jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:02 Mar 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 related to the Program’s responsibilities. The Assistant Secretary for Health serves as Director of the National Vaccine Program. During this NVAC meeting, NVAC will hear presentations on vaccine safety, communication activities for COVID–19 vaccines, and immunization equity. Please note that agenda items are subject to change, as priorities dictate. Information on the final meeting agenda will be posted prior to the meeting on the NVAC website: https://www.hhs.gov/ nvpo/nvac/. Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide comment at the NVAC meeting during the public comment period designated on the agenda. Public comments made during the meeting will be limited to three minutes per person to ensure time is allotted for all those wishing to speak. Individuals are also welcome to submit written comments in advance. Written comments should not exceed three pages in length. Individuals submitting comments should email their written comments or their request to provide a comment during the meeting to nvac@ hhs.gov at least five business days prior to the meeting. Ann Aikin, Acting Designated Federal Official, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. [FR Doc. 2021–06692 Filed 3–31–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150–44–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Current List of HHS-Certified Laboratories and Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities Which Meet Minimum Standards To Engage in Urine and Oral Fluid Drug Testing for Federal Agencies Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notifies federal agencies of the laboratories and Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) currently certified to meet the standards of the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs using Urine or Oral Fluid (Mandatory Guidelines). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anastasia Donovan, Division of Workplace Programs, SAMHSA/CSAP, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 16N06B, Rockville, Maryland 20857; 240–276– SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2600 (voice); Anastasia.Donovan@ samhsa.hhs.gov (email). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Section 9.19 of the Mandatory Guidelines, a notice listing all currently HHS-certified laboratories and IITFs is published in the Federal Register during the first week of each month. If any laboratory or IITF certification is suspended or revoked, the laboratory or IITF will be omitted from subsequent lists until such time as it is restored to full certification under the Mandatory Guidelines. If any laboratory or IITF has withdrawn from the HHS National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP) during the past month, it will be listed at the end and will be omitted from the monthly listing thereafter. This notice is also available on the internet at https://www.samhsa.gov/ workplace/resources/drug-testing/ certified-lab-list. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notifies federal agencies of the laboratories and Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) currently certified to meet the standards of the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Mandatory Guidelines) using Urine and of the laboratories currently certified to meet the standards of the Mandatory Guidelines using Oral Fluid. The Mandatory Guidelines using Urine were first published in the Federal Register on April 11, 1988 (53 FR 11970), and subsequently revised in the Federal Register on June 9, 1994 (59 FR 29908); September 30, 1997 (62 FR 51118); April 13, 2004 (69 FR 19644); November 25, 2008 (73 FR 71858); December 10, 2008 (73 FR 75122); April 30, 2010 (75 FR 22809); and on January 23, 2017 (82 FR 7920). The Mandatory Guidelines using Oral Fluid were first published in the Federal Register on October 25, 2019 (84 FR 57554) with an effective date of January 1, 2020. The Mandatory Guidelines were initially developed in accordance with Executive Order 12564 and section 503 of Pub. L. 100–71 and allowed urine drug testing only. The Mandatory Guidelines using Urine have since been revised, and new Mandatory Guidelines allowing for oral fluid drug testing have been published. The Mandatory Guidelines require strict standards that laboratories and IITFs must meet in order to conduct drug and specimen validity tests on specimens for federal agencies. HHS does not allow IITFs to conduct oral fluid testing. To become certified, an applicant laboratory or IITF must undergo three E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM 01APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 61 (Thursday, April 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17169-17170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06690]



[[Page 17169]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to OMB for 
Review and Approval; Public Comment Request; Information Collection 
Request; Federal Tort Claims Act Program Deeming Applications for 
Health Centers, 0906-0035, Extension

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department 
of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
HRSA has submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Comments 
submitted during the first public review of this ICR will be provided 
to OMB. OMB will accept further comments from the public during the 
review and approval period. OMB may act on HRSA's ICR only after the 30 
day comment period for this notice has closed.

DATES: Comments on this ICR should be received no later than May 3, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request a copy of the clearance 
requests submitted to OMB for review, email Lisa Wright-Solomon, the 
HRSA Information Collection Clearance Officer at [email protected] or 
call (301) 443-1984.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: When submitting comments or requesting 
information, please include the information request collection title 
for reference.
    Information Collection Request Title: Federal Tort Claims Act 
Program Deeming Application for Health Centers, OMB No. 0906-0035--
Extension.
    Abstract: Section 224(g)-(n) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act 
(42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n)), as amended, authorizes the ``deeming'' of 
entities receiving funds under section 330 of the PHS Act as PHS 
employees for the purposes of receiving Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) 
coverage. The Health Center Program is administered by HRSA's Bureau of 
Primary Health Care. Health centers submit deeming applications 
annually to HRSA in the prescribed form and manner in order to obtain 
deemed PHS employee status, with the associated FTCA coverage.
    Deemed PHS employment provides the covered individual with immunity 
from lawsuits and related civil actions resulting from the performance 
of medical, surgical, dental, and related functions within the scope of 
deemed employment.
    The FTCA Program has a web-based application system, the Electronic 
Handbooks (EHBs). These electronic application forms decrease the time 
and effort required to complete the older, paper-based OMB approved 
FTCA application forms. The application includes: Contact Information; 
Section 1: Review of Risk Management Systems; Section 2: Quality 
Improvement/Quality Assurance (QI/QA) Attestations; Section 3: 
Credentialing and Privileging; Section 4: Claims Management; and 
Section 5: Additional Information, Certification, and Signatures.
    HRSA is proposing no changes to the Application for Health Center 
Program Deemed Public Health Service Employment Status, to be used for 
Health Center deeming applications for Calendar Year 2021 and 
thereafter.
    A 60-day notice published in the Federal Register on February 5, 
2021, Vol. 86, No. 23; pp. 8364-65. There were no public comments.
    Need and Proposed Use of the Information: Deeming applications must 
address certain specified criteria required by law in order for deeming 
determinations to be issued, and FTCA application forms are critical to 
HRSA's deeming determination process. This form provides HRSA with 
information that is essential for evaluating health center adherence to 
FTCA program requirements and making a determination as to whether a 
health center meets the statutory requirements for deemed PHS employee 
status for the purposes of FTCA coverage. The application information 
is also used to determine whether a site visit is appropriate to assess 
issues relating to the health center's quality of care and to determine 
technical assistance needs.
    Likely Respondents: Respondents include Health Center Program funds 
recipients seeking deemed PHS employee status for purposes of FTCA 
coverage.
    Burden Statement: Burden in this context means the time expended by 
persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide the 
information requested. This includes the time needed to review 
instructions; to develop, acquire, install and utilize technology and 
systems for the purpose of collecting, validating, and verifying 
information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and 
providing information; to train personnel and to be able to respond to 
a collection of information; to search data sources; to complete and 
review the collection of information; and to transmit or otherwise 
disclose the information. The total annual burden hours estimated for 
this ICR are summarized in the table below.

                                    Total Estimated Annualized Burden--Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Average
                                     Number of       Number of         Total        burden per     Total burden
            Form name               respondents    responses per     responses     response  (in       hours
                                                    respondent                        hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FTCA Health Center Program                    35               1              35             2.5            87.5
 Initial Application............
FTCA Health Center Program                 1,125               1           1,125             2.5         2,812.5
 Redeeming Application..........
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................           1,160  ..............           1,160  ..............         2,900.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    HRSA specifically requests comments on (1) the necessity and 
utility of the proposed information collection for the proper 
performance of the agency's functions, (2) the accuracy of the 
estimated burden, (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected, and (4) the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information

[[Page 17170]]

technology to minimize the information collection burden.

Maria G. Button,
Director, Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2021-06690 Filed 3-31-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P
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