Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality June 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invites nominations of individuals qualified to serve as members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (the Task Force). The Task Force, a standing, independent panel of private-sector experts in prevention and primary care, is composed of members appointed to serve for four year terms with an option for reappointment. New members are selected each year to replace (approximately) one fourth of the Task Force members, i.e., those who are completing their appointments. Individuals nominated but not appointed in previous years, as well as those newly nominated, are considered in the annual selection process. Task Force members meet three times a year for two days in the Washington, DC area. Member duties include reviewing and preparing comments (off site) on systematic evidence reviews prior to discussing and making recommendations on preventive services, drafting final recommendation documents, and participating in workgroups on specific topics or methods. AHRQ particularly encourages nominations of women, members of minority populations, and persons with disabilities. Interested individuals and organizations may nominate one or more persons qualified for membership on the Task Force. Qualification Requirements: The mission of the Task Force is to produce evidence-based recommendations on the appropriate screening, counseling, and provision of preventive medication for asymptomatic patients seen in the primary care setting. Therefore, in order to qualify for the Task Force, an applicant or nominee MUST demonstrate the following: 1. Knowledge and experience in the critical evaluation of research published in peer reviewed literature and in the methods of evidence review; 2. Understanding and experience in the application of synthesized evidence to clinical decision-making and/or policy; 3. Expertise in disease prevention and health promotion; 4. Ability to work collaboratively with peers; and, 5. Clinical expertise in the primary health care of children and/or adults, and/or expertise in counseling and behavioral interventions for primary care patients. Some Task Force members without primary health care clinical experience may be selected based on their expertise in methodological issues such as medical decision making, clinical epidemiology, behavioral medicine, and health economics. Strongest consideration will be given to individuals who are recognized nationally or internationally for scientific leadership within their field of expertise. Applicants must have no substantial conflicts of interest that would impair in the scientific integrity of the work of the Task Force including financial, intellectual, or other conflicts.

This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) allow the proposed information collection as part of an AHRQ contract for ``Privacy and Security Solutions for Interoperable Electronic Health Information Exchange'' (the Assessment). In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), AHRQ is submitting a request to OMB for emergency review. AHRQ is requesting an emergency review of this collection because the information is needed for subsequent health information technology projects later this year. Because subcontracts were solicited and awarded to the States, it was not possible to accurately quantify the public burden earlier this year. Data collection subcontract proposals were solicited from States and until they were reviewed, selected, awarded and accepted, it was not possible to accurately quantify the public burden earlier.