Department of Health and Human Services October 7, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces reopening of the National Center for Health Statistics' (NCHS) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) DNA Specimen Repository for research proposals. Blood samples for DNA purification were collected from study participants during NHANES III, NHANES 1999- 2000, NHANES 2001-02, NHANES 2007-08, and NHANES 2009-10 (Office of Management and Budget Control Numbers 0920-0237/0920-0950). Samples from these DNA Specimens are being made available to the research community for genetic testing. The information gained from research using these samples can be combined with the extensive amount of information available in NHANES which describes the prevalence/trends of disease, nutrition, risk behaviors, and environmental exposures in the US population. A more complete description of this program follows.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (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 technology to minimize the information collection burden.

In compliance with Section 3507(a)(1)(D) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, HRSA 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.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public meeting entitled ``Medical Device User Fee Amendments.'' The purpose of the meeting is to discuss proposed recommendations for the reauthorization of the Medical Device User Fee Amendments (MDUFA) for fiscal years (FYs) 2018 through 2022. MDUFA authorizes FDA to collect fees and use them for the process for the review of medical device applications. The current legislative authority for MDUFA expires October 1, 2017. At that time, new legislation will be required for FDA to continue collecting medical device user fees in future fiscal years. Following discussions with the device industry and periodic consultations with public stakeholders, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) directs FDA to publish the recommendations for the reauthorized program in the Federal Register, hold a meeting at which the public may present its views on such recommendations, and provide for a period of 30 days for the public to provide written comments on such recommendations. FDA will then consider such public views and comments and revise such recommendations as necessary.