[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59987-59988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22440]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Advisory Committee for CARES Business Plan Studies; Notice of 
Establishment

    As required by section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act, the

[[Page 59988]]

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hereby gives notice of the 
establishment of the Advisory Committee for CARES Business Plan 
Studies. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has determined that 
establishing the Committee is both necessary and in the public 
interest.
    The Committee will continue the Capital Asset Realignment for 
Enhanced Services (CARES) process by providing site-specific advice as 
the process moves into its implementation phase. Thus far, the CARES 
process has included a February 2004 report by the CARES Commission, a 
federal advisory committee that conducted 38 public hearings and 81 
site visits in 2003, and the Secretary's CARES Decision in May 2004 
(based largely upon recommendations in the CARES Commission report).
    The Secretary's CARES Decision identified implementation issues 
that required further study, to include additional stakeholder input, 
at selected sites. The Committee will fulfill the pledge to consult 
with stakeholders at those sites during implementation of the 
Secretary's CARES Decision. The Committee will ensure that the full 
range of stakeholder interests and concerns are assembled, publicly 
articulated, accurately documented, and considered in the development 
of site-level business plans.
    Subcommittees will be established to perform duties and functions 
within the Committee's purview. The Committee or designated 
subcommittee will collect and consider stakeholder input related to the 
development and selection of business plans at the 21 sites designated 
for further study by the Secretary's CARES Decision in May 2004. The 
Committee or designated subcommittee will provide advice on proposed 
business plans or alternative business plans to be considered, and may 
relay any general concerns that the Department should consider during 
CARES implementation.
    The Committee or designated subcommittee will hold public meetings 
at each site to seek stakeholder input. In addition to the public 
meetings, the Committee or designated subcommittee will gather 
stakeholder input through other means, such as advertising and Web site 
communications.
    The Committee and its subcommittees may consist of representatives 
from veterans service organizations, governmental agencies, health care 
providers, planning agencies, and community organizations with a direct 
interest in the CARES process. The Committee and its subcommittees are 
expected to carry out their functions through December 2005.

    Dated: September 29, 2004.

    By Direction of the Secretary.
E. Philip Riggin,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-22440 Filed 10-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-M