Department of Health and Human Services March 29, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Section 3001(c)(3) of the Public Health Service Act, as added by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, requires the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to update the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan (developed June 3, 2008) in consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies and in collaboration with private and public entities. Work on the five-year Plan began more than a year ago and has included collaboration across federal agencies, as well with the private sector via the HIT Policy Committee. This notice serves to announce that the public comment period for the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan is open through Friday, April 22 at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern). ONC welcomes and encourages all comments from the public regarding the Plan. In order for your comments to be read and considered, you must submit your comment via the Federal Health IT Buzz Blog: https:// www.healthit.gov/buzz-blog/.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is extending the period for public comments on (1) NIH's adoption of the eighth edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide) as a basis for evaluation of institutional programs receiving or proposing to receive Public Health Service (PHS) support for activities involving animals; and (2) if NIH decides to adopt the eighth edition of the Guide, NIH's proposed implementation plan, which would require that institutions complete at least one semiannual program and facility evaluation using the eighth edition of the Guide as the basis for evaluation by March 31, 2012. NIH will consider comments on (1) the adoption of the Guide and (2) the implementation plan. The notice on the proposed adoption and implementation plan for the eighth edition of the Guide was published in the Federal Register on February 24, 2011 (76 FR 10379). The comment period is extended by 30 days and thus will end on April 24, 2011.

The Administration on Aging (AoA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information collection requirements relating to the Certification on Maintenance of Effort under Title III and Certification of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Expenditures for OAA Title III and Title VII Grantees.

On March 8, 2011, the Director of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a notice in the Federal Register (76 FR 12740) requesting information from the public on three questions regarding conditions relating to cancer for consideration under the World Trade Center Health Program. Written comment was to be received by March 31, 2011. NIOSH has received comment about extending the request for information to include persons living and working in the affected area. In consideration of that comment, the Director of NIOSH is modifying one of the questions posed in the Federal Register and extending the public comment period to April 29, 2011.