Office of the Secretary December 29, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice identifies and solicits public comments on the initial, recommended core set of children's health care quality measures for voluntary use by State programs administered under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act, health insurance issuers and managed care entities that enter into contracts with Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs, and providers of items and services under these programs, in accordance with the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-3). This notice also discusses steps already underway to facilitate the programs' voluntary use of the children's health care quality measures. In addition, this notice solicits comments on how the steps might be enhanced, and recommendations for additional steps to facilitate use of the measures.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense proposes to delete a system of records notice from its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs announces the proposed extension of a public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Section 342(b) of Public Law 103-337, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct personnel demonstration projects at Department of Defense (DoD) laboratories designated as Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories (STRLs). The above-cited legislation authorizes DoD to conduct demonstration projects to determine whether a specified change in personnel management policies or procedures would result in improved Federal personnel management. Section 1107 of Public Law 110-181 as amended by section 1109 of Public Law 110-417 requires the Secretary of Defense to execute a process and plan to employ the Department's personnel management demonstration project authorities found in title 5 United States Code (U.S.C.) section 4703 at the STRLs enumerated in 5 U.S.C. 9902(c)(2), as redesignated in section 1105, Public Law 111-84, and 73 Federal Register (FR) 73248 to enhance the performance of these laboratories. The ECBC is listed as one of the designated STRLs.