Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Health and Human Services

###### Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

# AGENCY:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.

# ACTION:

Notice of public meeting.

# SUMMARY:

This notice announces a meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality Subcommittee on Patient Safety and Medical Liability Reform Demonstrations.

# DATES:

                        The meeting will be held in October; specific information will be available on the AHRQ Web site at                        *http://www.AHRQ.gov.*

# ADDRESSES:

                        To be determined; in Washington, DC Metro area; specific information will be available at                         *http://www.AHRQ.gov.*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

 Christine Williams, Director for Strategic Partnerships, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, Maryland 20850, (301) 427-1850.

*For press-related information, please contact:*                         Karen Migdail at (301) 427-1855.                    

*If sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed, please contact:*                         Mr. Michael Chew, Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Program Support Center, (301) 443-1144 (no later than October 15, 2009).                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## I. Purpose

The National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality was  established in accordance with Section 921 (now Section 931) of the Public  Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 299c. In accordance with its statutory mandate, the Council is to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human  Services and the Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), on matters related to actions of AHRQ to enhance the quality, and  improve the outcomes, of health care services; improve access to such  services through scientific research; and promote improvements in clinical  practice and in the organization, financing, and delivery of health care  services.

The Council is composed of members of the public, appointed by the  Secretary, and Federal ex-officio members. AHRQ's National Advisory Council  on Healthcare Research and Quality (NAC) will establish a Subcommittee on  Patient Safety and Medical Liability Reform Demonstrations.

The Subcommittee will be created to provide advice to the NAC for  consideration and transmission to AHRQ as AHRQ undertakes the development  of a new demonstration initiative that will help States and health care  systems to test models that put patient safety first and work to reduce  preventable injuries, foster better communication between doctors and their  patients, ensure that patients are compensated in a fair and timely manner  for medical injuries, while reducing the incidence of frivolous lawsuits; and reduce liability premiums.

As directed by President Obama, the Secretary of the Department of Health  and Human Services (HHS) will launch a competitive three-pronged initiative  that will include support for demonstration grants to States and health  systems, planning grants to States and health systems, and a rapid and  comprehensive review of current efforts, targeting patient safety and medical  liability. Prior to finalizing the Funding Opportunity Announcement for this  new initiative, the chairman of AHRQ's National Advisory Council will convene  a subcommittee with diverse representation from expert and  stakeholder groups to provide advice for this initiative. The date, time, location and agenda for the subcommittee meeting, which will be open to the  public, will be available on the AHRQ Web site no later than two weeks in  advance of such meeting. Members of the public will have the opportunity to  submit comments to the subcommittee in person or in writing, and can  participate in the meeting in person or via Web casting. The subcommittee  will not review individual grants nor participate in award decisions.

                    A roster of the Subcommittee members will be available at                     *http://www.AHRQ.gov.*

                    A more specific proposed agenda will be available before the meeting at                       *http://www.AHRQ.gov.*

                    The final agenda, including the time for public comment during the meeting, will be available on the AHRQ Web site at                     *http://www.AHRQ.gov.*                     Public  comments may also be submitted in writing by e-mail, fax, mail, or hand  delivery. E-mails are preferred. Please submit comments to:                       *Medicalliabilitydemos@AHRQ.hhs.gov.*                     A comment submitted by e-mail should  indicate that it is in response to “Medical Liability Reform Demonstrations  Subcommittee.” The deadline for written comments will be posted on the  AHRQ Web site. Meeting minutes will be available within 21 business days  after the meeting.                

Dated: September 24, 2009.

Carolyn M. Clancy,

Director.

[FR Doc. E9-23594 Filed 10-1-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-90-M